Regular Session Meeting Minutes

SAN JUAN BAUTISTA CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

City Hall

1.      Call to Order:  The meeting 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 Ed Laverone, Rick Edge, Priscilla Hill, and Robert Paradice.

City Staff and Professional Services Persons Present: Acting/Interim City Manager Stephen Julian, City Planner Matthew Sundt; City Treasurer, Linda McIntyre; Fire Chief Scott Freels; Project Manager Mark Davis; City Attorney Thacher, City Clerk Trish Paetz; and Laura Wiener-Smolka, Minutes Clerk.

Members of the Public Signing in as Present: Jolene Cosio, Tony Madera.

2.     Approval of the Agenda:  Upon motion made by Councilmember Hill,        seconded by Councilmember Laverone, and unanimously carried 5-0, the     agenda was approved    

3.     Closed Session: Mayor Dias reported that a closed session is not needed at        this meeting.

4.     Ceremonial Items: None.

5.     Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda: None.      

6.     Presentations, Informational Items and Reports

A.      Closed Session Report: None.  

B. Water Infrastructure Project Report:  Project Manager Mark Davis discussed cost implications of RO (reverse osmosis) which is an expensive treatment alternative due to the necessity of brine disposal. He noted that the McAlpine well alternative is also costly due to Title 22 requirements with respect to identifying actual size of the aquifer. Currently under consideration as the least costly and most viable alternative is a pellet water softening process that does not produce brine disposal problems, and which softens water to the extent that it can be blended and achieve TDS (total dissolved solids) under RWQCB (Regional Water Quality Control Board) mandates as well as nitrate levels significantly below maximum levels established by the State Department of Health.

In response to Councilmember Edge’s question about the necessity of building a water reservoir, Mr. Davis explained that this alternative involves bringing the three water lines together for blending and that everyone would receive the same improved quality of water, eliminating customer use of water softeners.

Mr. Davis stated that within 30 to 45 days he expects to bring to City Council specific plan details, hard numbers, and CEQA considerations.          

C. South San Juan Specific Plan Report:  Mayor Dias suggested that the Council combine agenda item C. with J. (Davidson Sphere of Influence Amendment Application to LAFCO). City Manager Julian reported that he had a very positive meeting with Judi Johnson of LAFCO, and information was exchanged that helped to clarify some issues. The City Manager reported that he also met with the County Planning Director and was informed that it is County Planning’s desire to achieve agreement with the City of San Juan Bautista on amendment of the City’s Sphere of Influence prior to the LAFCO proceedings.

City Manager Julian commented that he sensed misunderstandings and concern that the City’s request to amend its Sphere of Influence is the preliminary step for a planned major housing development requiring initial environmental studies, public hearings, and other CEQA processes. During his report, City Manager Julian spoke about a letter he sent to County officials explaining that the purpose for the amendment is to correct erroneously filed records which divide a citizen’s property into two three fragments, partially in and partially out of the City’s Sphere of Influence. In his letter, Manager Julian assured that the City has not been advised of any development plans for the affected properties. 

Councilmember Edge stated that in his role as a member of LAFCO, representing the City, he found City Manager Julian’s letter clarifying the issues to be very well written. Councilmember Laverone agreed, as did the other Councilmembers.

D. Monthly Financial Statement Reports:  Resident Jolene Cosio requested that the Council discuss the monthly financial reports during its meetings. She expressed concern that City revenues are not sufficient to warrant the amount of money expended over the past seven months for city planner, accountant, engineering, and various consultant services. Ms. Cosio stated she fears the City is heading into financial problems and requested that budget projections into the future be studied and discussed during Council meetings.              

E. Code Enforcement Report:  Councilmember Laverone pointed out that previous budget cuts reduced code enforcement to a level addressing only health and safety issues. He stated that monthly reports (included in the meeting  agenda packets) indicate staff time being spent on non health and safety issues, such as paint peeling from a property owner’s weathered fence. There was consensus that staff be reminded to limit demands on their time for only code enforcement relating to health and safety.  

F.  Library Report:  No questions or comments.

G. Fire Chief’s Report: No questions or comments.

H. Sheriff’s Monthly Activity Report:  Jolene Cosio stated that she attended the recent meeting, called by Councilmember Hill, to initiate a citizen’s Neighborhood Watch program; that numerous community members attended and expressed their concerns about increased burglaries and other safety issues, as well as cutbacks in Sheriff’s availability to respond promptly. 

I.  Report on Status of CLG Grant:  No report.  

J.  Davidson Sphere of Influence Amendment Application to LAFCO: 

     This item was addressed during discussion of agenda item C above. 

K. Status Report on Municipal Services Review and Revenue Sharing

     Agreement:  Councilmember Edge reported that he met with the County     Administrative Officer and was informed that the County has completed most       of its cost study for various services provided for San Juan Bautista. The     County anticipates using the cost analysis data as a basis for development of      the tax revenue sharing agreement with the City.

L.  Status Report on Upgrades to the Sewer Plant Capital Improvement

      Project:  Mark Davis stated that there are no updates to report at this time.

M. Status Report on the Tertiary Water Treatment Plant Construction

     Project:  No report at this time.   

N. Public Works Report–MCE Corporation:  MCE has developed a written    report which was included in the meeting packet.  

O. Update on New City Bathrooms on Polk Street:  Updates will be presented    at the next Council meeting.  

P. Report on Cable Franchise Renewal Activities: The City Manager reported     that he received a letter from the cable franchise representatives but has not      yet had time to meet with them.  

Q. Reports by Public Officials: COG, LAFCO, Water Resources

      Association, Revolving Loan, AMBAG, Integrated Waste

      Management: Councilmember Laverone reported that AMBAG studies project    a population increase of 60% by the year 2035. It was noted that if AMBAG’s     projections are correct, the City’s population would grow to 2900 over the next    27 years.             

R. Highway 156 Report: Mayor Dias spoke about a recent meeting and stated     that COG, the City of Hollister, and the County Board of Supervisors, with the     exception of Supervisor Botelho, are in favor of the Highway 156 widening project; that construction is projected to being in 2012 and be finished within       two years.  Mayor Dias reported that at the meeting he was informed that the City’s request for a noise study is considered unnecessary because the location   of the widening project is from Union Road to the East side of The Alameda         (the City’s boundary line). Mayor Dias confirmed that the project will be six lanes in width and raise the elevation of the highway five feet.

S. Review and Comments on Special Events:  None.

T. Committee Reports and Provide Future Direction: No reports.

7.     Consent Items:  Upon motion made by Councilmember Laverone, seconded by Councilmember Hill, and carried 5-0, the following consent action items were approved, with the exception of items C and F.

       A.    Approve Affidavit of Posting Agenda

       B.    Approve Minutes for April 15, 2008 Regular City Council Meeting

       C.    Approve Minutes for May 20, 2008 Regular City Council Meeting

       D.    Approve Minutes for June 12, 2008 Special City Council Meeting

       E.    Approve Minutes for July 10, 2007 Special City Council Meeting

       F.     Approve Minutes for June 17, 2008 Regular City Council Meeting

       G.    Approve Resolution 2008-30 Canvassing the June 3, 2008 Special

              Municipal Election

       H.    Approve Resolution 2008-31 Authorizing Street Closures

       I.      Waive Reading of Ordinances and Resolutions on Tonight’s Agenda

              Beyond Title

8.     Action Items

        A.     Consider Request by Pinnacle Quilters of San Benito County to              Waive Fee Associated with Using the Community Center for Monthly           Meetings:  Mayor Dias welcomed Ms. Yates. She spoke about the Pinnacle         Quilters of San Benito County and explained that the purpose is not just to teach quilting; the organization is nonprofit and actively involved in community     outreach service. She stated that the Pinnacle Quilters make quilts to donate    to Chamberlains Children Center, Emmaus House, the Red Cross for emergencies, and numerous other community service organizations. Ms. Yates    asked the Council to consider waiving Community Center use fees for the        Pinnacle Quilters’ monthly meetings. She assured that Pinnacle Quilters’ will     leave the Center clean and undamaged.

        During discussion, it was noted that from time to time a situation may arise         when a rental date conflicts with community meetings, and that community         organizations may be asked to reschedule a meeting. Upon motion made by         Councilmember Hill, seconded by Councilmember Paradice, and unanimously         carried 5-0, the Council approved waiver of rental and cleaning fees for use by    the Pinnacle Quilters of San Benito County for its monthly meetings.

        B.      Designate Voting Delegate and Alternate for League of California           Cities Annual Conference, September 24-27 in Long Beach:  During         discussion by the City Council, it was agreed to postpone designating a        delegate until the League of California Cities Annual Conference agenda and     program is published; at that time the Council will review the Annual   Conference program and determine if it is worthwhile to incur the expense of sending a delegate.

        C.     Resolution and Proposal to Add Handicapped Parking Spaces in           Downtown:  The City Manager stated that he would like to work with staff to         develop and bring back to Council a resolution providing improvements for         handicapped parking such as, a designated area on both sides of the street in         each block of the downtown area, as well as in front of City Hall. The Council         concurred with unanimous consensus.

        D.         Discussion and Give Direction to Staff on Recruiting for City           Manager: During discussion, Councilmember Laverone stated that he does not         think it is wise rush into hiring a City Manager. He suggested that a future   Council meeting agenda include Council’s discussion and identification of the   process and timing. The Council concurred with unanimous consensus.

9.     Set Future Agenda Items and Status: The Council set a special meeting on        July 29^th at 6:30 p.m. to conduct a public hearing and receive comments and        ballots from voters in the Creekbridge Assessment area.

10.   Comments

   A.       City Council: None.

   B.       City Manager: None

   C.       City Attorney: It was noted that two seats on the City Council, as well            as positions of City Clerk and Treasurer, are up for election in the                         November ballot. The filing period for candidacy ends Friday, August 8.  

11.   Adjournment: Upon motion made by Councilmember Laverone, seconded by Councilmember Paradice, unanimously carried 5-0 (Councilmember Paradice absent), the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.