Council Regular Meeting

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING CITY OF MONTEREY Tuesday, September 7, 2010 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. 7:00 - 11:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Councilmembers Present: Councilmembers Downey, Selfridge, Sollecito, Della Sala Absent: Councilmember Haferman City Staff City Manager, City Attorney, Assistant City Manager, Finance Director, Fire Present: Chief, Community Services & Library Director, Police Chief, City Engineer, Assistant Director Plans and Public Works, Chief of Planning & Engineering, Public Facilities Director, Principal Planner, Assistant City Clerk CALL TO ORDER Mayor Della Sala called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. CONSENT ITEMS City Manager Meurer noted that a revised Resolution for Item 9 had been placed at the dais. Councilmember Selfridge said she was pleased that the French Consulate and the Hartnell Gulch items are going forward. Mayor Della Sala mentioned that the city is going forward with other items that are not on the agenda that have been funded by Neighborhood funds such as the Skateboard Park Renovation, Hoffman Park design revisions and the Cypress Park Lighting On a motion by Councilmember Sollecito, seconded by Councilmember Selfridge, and carried by the following vote, the City Council approved the Consent Agenda with Mayor Della Sala abstaining on item #5 due to having a conflict of interest. AYES: 4 COUNCILMEMBERS: Downey, Selfridge, Sollecito, Della Sala NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Haferman ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None Approval of Minutes 1. August 17, 2010 (Information Resources - 701-09) Action: Approved (4-0-1; Haferman absent) Resolutions 2. Awarding of Contract for the City Hall Emergency Generator Project ***CIP** (Plans and Public Works - 405-04) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 10-119 C.S. (4-0-1; Haferman absent) Awarding of Contract for the French Consulate Seismic Upgrade and Roof Replacement 3. Project ***CIP/NIP*** (Plans and Public Works - 405-04) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 10-120 C.S. (4-0-1; Haferman absent)  City Council Minutes Tuesday, September 7, 2010 4. Approve Expenditure Plan for Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Funding (Police - 409- 02) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 10-121 C.S. (4-0-1; Haferman absent) 5. Awarding of Contract for the Hartnell Gulch Pedestrian Walkway Project ***CIP/NIP*** (Plans and Public Works - 405-04) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 10-122 C.S. (4-0-1-1; Haferman absent, Della Sala abstaining) 6. Authorization to Proceed and Appropriate Funds for the Monterey Sports Center Gymnasium Roof Replacement (Plans and Public Works - 903-03) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 10-123 C.S. (4-0-1; Haferman absent) 7. Awarding a Contract for the Recreation Trail Inductive Lighting Installation Project, and Appropriating the Funds for the Energy Efficient Projects American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) 1% Loan (Plans and Public Works - 809-10) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 10-124 C.S. and No.10-125 C.S. (4-0-1; Haferman absent) 8. Authorization of the Additional Release of Funds for Skateboard Park Renovation & Expansion Project (Citywide) ***NIP*** (Plans and Public Works - 808-02) Action: Approved (4-0-1; Haferman absent) 9. Authorization of the Appropriation and Transfer of Funds for Three Neighborhood Improvement Program Projects ***NIP*** a. Fire Station 1, 2, & 3 Replace Alerting System (Citywide) b. Hoffman Park Design Revision (New Monterey) c. Cypress Park Security Lighting (New Monterey) (Plans and Public Works - 406-04) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 10-126 C.S. (4-0-1; Haferman absent) 10. Resolution Authorizing Street Closures and Use of City Property for the 2010 Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay (Police - 302-01) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 10-127 C.S. (4-0-1; Haferman absent) 11. Authorizing the Application for a Low-Interest Loan from the California Energy Commission to Implement Energy Efficient Measures (Plans and Public Works - 706-03) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 10-128 C.S. (4-0-1; Haferman absent) Other 12. Denial of Claim - Church (Finance - 408-04) Action: Approved (4-0-1; Haferman absent) 13. Settlement - Workers' Compensation Claim - E. Olson (Human Resources - 408-09) Action: Approved (4-0-1; Haferman absent) ***End of Consent Agenda*** 2  City Council Minutes Tuesday, September 7, 2010 PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Della Sala opened the floor for public comments on items not on the agenda. Tom Aikman, Docent for National Marine Sanctuary, thanked the Harbormaster’s and Park staff for providing temporary fencing to protect sea lions from the public and the public from the sea lions. Seeing no further request to speak, Mayor Della Sala closed public comments. At 4:07 p.m., Mayor Della Sala called a recess and reconvened the meeting at 7:00 p.m., where all Councilmembers were present except Councilmember Haferman who was absent. CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Della Sala opened the floor for public comments on items not on the agenda. Uwe Grobecker asked the council to promote the school district to the public and would like the City Manager to discuss this with military organizations. City Manager Meurer stated the school district is making a presentation at the next City Council meeting. Bob Oliver received a parking ticket by the library and went thru the process of fighting it and thanked the city for re-striping the Library parking lot. Mr. Oliver also supported Mr. Grobecker’s concerns with the school district issues. Rick Johnson, OMBA Executive Director, thanked the city staff for their efforts in getting the fence removed around the Monterey Hotel. Having no further requests to speak, Mayor Della Sala closed public comments. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 14. Update on Priority Based Budgeting Process (Finance - 406-01) Action: Approved to follow thru with Priority Based Budget Plan (4-0-1; Haferman absent) Finance Director Rhoads presented the agenda report. Mayor Della Sala opened the floor for public comments on the item. Barbara Bass Evans said she attended the meeting where Mr. Johnson and Mr. Fabian gave their presentation and spoke of trust and transparency and that the city’s biggest cost was personnel. She said she would like to see a better phrase used to replace Value Driver. Bob Oliver supported Ms Evan’s comments. He said he would also like to see the library hours reinstated. Having no further requests to speak, Mayor Della Sala closed public comment. Mayor Della Sala said that even though we are a city of 30,000, we still function like a city of 100,000. Vice Mayor Sollecito said he was proud of the fact that we are making cutbacks and living within our means. He said that the City will know when it can no longer make any more cuts that will affect the quality of services the city provides and recommends that the City go forward with the Priority Based Budget Plan. It was moved by Councilmember Sollecito, and seconded by Councilmember Downey, to receive the report and give approval to follow through with the Priority Based Budget Plan. Councilmember Downey suggested the City look at a 2 tier retirement program in the future. Councilmember Selfridge said she is opposed to laying off more employees, but understands the need to do so. Mayor Della Sala stated the City needs to focus on the results and goals and believes this plan does that. 3  City Council Minutes Tuesday, September 7, 2010 The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: 4 COUNCILMEMBERS: Downey, Selfridge, Sollecito, Della Sala NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Haferman ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None 15. Consideration of Proposed Downtown Specific Plan Schedule and Public Outreach Strategy (Plans and Public Works - 201-13) Action: Approved the plan schedule and outreach strategy with recommendations to form an Adhoc subcommittee to be appointed by the Mayor (3-1-1; Della Sala no; Haferman absent) Principal Planner Cole presented the agenda report. Mayor Della Sala opened the floor for public comments. Councilmember Sollecito said this report is one example of staff doing more with less. Barbara Bass Evans gave a brief summary of the information she gave to Council on the downtown plan. She also provided Council with the August 27, 2008 public appearance agenda report on the same subject. Bob Oliver said this item was presented in the past and did not feel the City needs to do another study. Henry Ruhnke, Wald, Runke, & Dost, said his company did a presentation on this topic back in November of last year at which time he received a lot of support from the community. He said that their plan was very similar to the presentation that was given tonight. Rick Johnson OMBA asked Council to adopt this plan. Doug Weile, Foothill Partners, spoke in favor of this plan. Councilmember Downey thanked Mr. Weile for getting the parking problem solved in the Trader Joe’s parking lot. Councilmember Sollecito commented that traffic is enforced for safety but the number two thing is to remember is that transportation supports commerce of this city. Seeing no further request Mayor closed public comments. It was moved by Councilmember Sollecito, and seconded by Councilmember Downey, that Council approve staff recommendation and recommend formation of a Subcommittee with the City Council, Planning Commission, Architectural Review Committee and the Historic Preservation Commission to augment the proposed public outreach as one of the alternatives. Councilmember Selfridge said that the Lighthouse Plan has been in the works since 2005 or before and would like to see it get priority once this project gets going. City Manager Meurer said there is misconception that the Lighthouse project is being neglected and pushed back. He said this project will be taken care of along with the Downtown and Fremont District projects. City Manager Meurer said it would be entirely up to the Council to decide if another committee is needed. Councilmember Downey said she would volunteer if committee is formed. Councilmember Selfridge said she too would volunteer. Mayor Della Sala said that there has been public input all along and does not feel the need to form a subcommittee and would oppose this recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: 3 COUNCILMEMBERS: Downey, Selfridge, Sollecito NOES: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Della Sala ABSENT: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Haferman ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None 4  City Council Minutes Tuesday, September 7, 2010 The City Manager said the Mayor would appoint the 2 Councilmembers to the Adhoc committee. 16. Policy Direction Regarding Ex Parte Communications with the Public Utilities Commission Pertaining to the Water Purchase Agreement (City Manager - 804-01) Action: Approved inclusion of Monterey in Ex-Parte Communication; and directed staff to follow up (4-0-1; Haferman absent) Councilmember Downey suggested the Council designate a certified engineer with tactical experience to be the fourth vote instead of the two designated mayors from the delegated cities. Councilmember Downey also suggested the need to get an ex parte communication with Commissioner Bohn and asked City Manager Meurer to provide more information regarding the bond issue policy. City Manager Meurer clarified the policy and said if Council decides to hire a consultant he will work with the City Attorney to prepare the RFP. Mayor Della Sala said he would like to talk to the other five cities before Council takes action on this item and would like to see that all six cities have a say in this process and recommended that this item be brought back to Council at the September 21, 2010 meeting. Councilmember Selfridge concurred with Councilmember Downey. Mayor Della Sala opened the floor for public comments. Bob Oliver said that the water desalination project is a slippery slope and supported the Mayor’s recommendation to bring this item back to a future meeting. Mr. Oliver said that a rate increase would not benefit the ratepayers in any way. Seeing no further request to speak the Mayor closed public comments. Councilmember Sollecito agreed with the Mayor and the City Manager and does not feel that we need to go out and hire a bond advisor at this time. It was moved Councilmember Sollecito, and seconded by Councilmember Downey, that Monterey be included as a party to the committee of the municipal advisor, and the motion carried by the following vote: AYES: 4 COUNCILMEMBERS: Della Sala, Downey, Selfridge, Sollecito NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Haferman ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None Councilmember Downey moved ,seconded by Councilmember Selfridge, that the Council go forward and direct staff to engage the expertise of a bond counselor. Mayor Della Sala said he would still like to talk to the other 5 cities to get more feedback before any action is taken. Motion failed by the following vote: AYES: 2 COUNCILMEMBERS: Downey, Selfridge, NOES: 2 COUNCILMEMBERS: Della Sala, Sollecito ABSENT: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Haferman ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None 5 City Council Minutes Tuesday, September 7, 2010 COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Sollecito said he attended a couple of the Blue Ocean events and said the North Fremont area had a Bob Dylan concert that was a success and would like to see more such events. He also said he was upset that the Golden State Theater has not had any concerts there. He said he was looking forward to more events like Cherry’s Jubilee, Santa Rosalia and the Jazz Festival. Councilmember Selfridge asked about the Council Retreat. City Manager Meurer said they are looking into the month of October and are still waiting for input from the council in order to get the information for the RFP. Councilmember Selfridge said she was excited that they extended the Fisherman’s Day exhibit to September 30, 2010 Councilmember Downey applauded the NIP Committee and City staff for their success in the completion of the CIP/NIP projects. Mayor Della Sala said at the last meeting Councilmember Downey made a request to have the NIP Meetings televised if possible and he would like staff to come back with the number of meetings scheduled and figures on the cost of televising them. CITY MANAGER REPORTS City Manager Meurer reported on the success of the Fisherman’s exhibit and is proud to say that the shrouds are off the Monterey Hotel. He noted that the City participated in a major emergency drill with the Army this week, which involved scenarios including a car bombing, a shooting and a hazard material leak. During this, the City’s EOC was able to field their software for the first time, and he thanked Assistant City Manager Cohn and his team for their efforts in getting this done. The City Manager also made Council aware of the possibility of base closures that might take place in 2013. Councilmember Downey reminded the public that the City has no control over the funding of the different school districts and who gets what. Councilmember Selfridge said she heard that our military people are asking not to come here because of the school district situation and we should all work together to get our school district to where it should be. Mayor Della Sala said the building on Alvarado Street that burned in 2007 did not belong to the City but City staff is working with the owner on the redevelopment of that property. ADJOURNMENT Having no further business to come before the City Council, at 9:29 p.m. Mayor Della Sala adjourned the meeting. 6 City Council Minutes Tuesday, September 7, 2010 Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Sandy Barajas Chuck Della Sala Assistant City Clerk Mayor 7