Council Regular Meeting

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING CITY OF MONTEREY Tuesday, February 15, 2011 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Councilmembers Present: Councilmembers Downey, Selfridge, Sollecito, Della Sala Absent: Councilmember Haferman City Staff Assistant City Manager, City Attorney, Director of Information Present: Resources/City Clerk, Community Services Director, Finance Director, Chief of Planning, Engineering, & Environmental, City Engineer, Police Lieutenant CALL TO ORDER Mayor Della Sala called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. CONSENT ITEMS Councilmember Downey said that she has questions on Items 1, 3, and 5, and Councilmember Selfridge said that she has questions on Item 5. Mayor Della Sala noted that a member of the public has asked to remove Item 5 from the Consent Agenda. On a motion by Councilmember Downey, seconded by Councilmember Sollecito, and carried by the following vote, the City Council approved Consent Agenda Items 2, 4, 6, and 7: AYES: 4 COUNCILMEMBERS: Downey, Selfridge, Sollecito, Della Sala NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Haferman ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None Councilmember Downey asked to add to the comments made by Leeka Kheifets on page 7 of the February 1, 2011 Minutes to include her statement that cell phones and microwaves are more dangerous than SmartMeters. Chief of Planning and Engineering Rerig answered Councilmembers' questions on Item 3. On a motion by Councilmember Downey, seconded by Councilmember Selfridge, and carried by the following vote, the City Council approved Consent Agenda Items 1 and 3: AYES: 4 COUNCILMEMBERS: Downey, Selfridge, Sollecito, Della Sala NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Haferman ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None Approval of Minutes 1. February 1, 2011 (Information Resources - 701-09) Action: Removed from Consent, amended, and approved (4-0-1; Haferman absent)  City Council Minutes Tuesday, February 15, 2011 Resolutions 2. Authorization of the Appropriation and Transfer of Funds from the Parking Fund to the Wharf #1 Parking Lot ADA Accessible Parking Project.***CIP*** (Plans and Public Works - 406-04) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 11-011 C.S. (4-0-1; Haferman absent) 3. Appropriation of Grant Funds from the Department of Conservation for the City of Monterey City/ County Grant (Plans and Public Works - 406-04) Action: Removed from Consent; discussed, and adopted Resolution No. 11-012 C.S. (4-0- 1; Haferman absent) 4. Resolution Authorizing the Police Department to Submit a Grant Application to the California Office of Traffic Safety for Replacement of Radar Equipment and the City Manager to Sign and Execute the Grant Agreement on behalf of the City of Monterey (Police - 409-02) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 11-013 C.S. (4-0-1; Haferman absent) 5. Approve Resolution in Opposition to the Governor’s Proposal to Abolish Redevelopment Agencies in California (Finance - 701-01) Action: Removed from Consent, discussed, and adopted Resolution No. 11-014 C.S. (3-1- 1; Selfridge voting no, Haferman absent) Finance Director Rhoads presented a staff report summarizing the potential effects of the Governor's proposal to abolish RDAs. He answered Councilmembers' questions. Councilmember Sollecito gave a brief update regarding the League of California Cities' actions on this matter. Mayor Della Sala opened the floor for public comment on the item. Nelson Vega said that investment in the Downtown area is important, but he is concerned that the State will raise taxes in another area if they are unsuccessful in obtaining the RDA money. He voiced concerns about the cost of the low income housing currently under development on Alvarado Street and asked Council to consider the consequences. Having no further requests to speak, Mayor Della Sala returned the discussion to the dais. Councilmember Sollecito said that while this issue is not clear cut, eliminating redevelopment would eliminate jobs and local money while the State is asking cities to take over additional programs. It was moved by Councilmember Sollecito, and seconded by Mayor Della Sala, to approve Resolution No. 11-014 C.S. in opposition to the Governor’s proposal to abolish Redevelopment Agencies in California: Mayor Della Sala cautioned that redevelopment funds benefit neighboring cities that need it very much. He supported vigilance to make sure that the funds are used properly. Councilmember Selfridge said that she would prefer to remain silent at this time because she would like to give the Governor time to complete his investigation of redevelopment agencies. On question, Assistant City Manager Cohn explained that Monterey has benefited greatly from the redevelopment agency and it is important that neighboring cities benefit in a similar manner. Chief of Planning and Engineering Rerig explained the assistance provided by the housing funds to those who need it. 2  City Council Minutes Tuesday, February 15, 2011 Councilmember Downey said that she is divided on this topic, because she can see a need in Salinas, but she would like to support the Governor. Councilmember Sollecito said that if services are best provided locally, this is an important tool to do that. AYES: 3 COUNCILMEMBERS: Downey, Sollecito, Della Sala NOES: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Selfridge ABSENT: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Haferman ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None Other 6. Denial of Claim - Fire Insurance Exchange (Finance - 408-04) Action: Denied claim (4-0-1; Haferman absent) 7. Denial of Claim - Kaiser (Finance - 408-04) Action: Denied claim (4-0-1; Haferman absent) ***End of Consent Agenda*** Council adjourned to a meeting of the RDA. 8. 406 Alvarado Street; Receive Report and Recommendation on Alternative for Completing 18- Low Income Apartment Units in the Monterey Hotel Mixed-Use Project; Recommended for Continuance to March 1, 2011 (Plans and Public Works - 207-03) Action: Continued to March 1, 2011 (4-0-1; Haferman absent) On a motion by Director Downey, seconded by Director Sollecito, and carried by the following vote, the RDA continued the item to March 1, 2011: AYES: 4 DIRECTORS: Downey, Selfridge, Sollecito, Della Sala NOES: 0 DIRECTORS: None ABSENT: 1 DIRECTORS: Haferman ABSTAIN: 0 DIRECTORS: None RECUSED: 0 DIRECTORS: None Chair Della Sala adjourned the meeting back to the City Council. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Della Sala opened the floor for public comments on items not on the agenda. Uwe Grobecker said that he received a copy of a letter sent to the City by Willard McCrone regarding Wharf leases and asked when Council plans to address the concerns outlined in the letter. He said that he heard that the City received an offer of four million dollars from Mr. Weile for Trader Joe's and the offer was turned down. He said that the money could be used as an investment for Capital Improvements. Mayor Della Sala said that while he had a conflict of interest and did not participate in the Trader Joe's matter, Council is unable to discuss it because it was in closed session. He gave additional details regarding the letter from Mr. McCrone, saying that people do not necessarily agree with his points. He said that the matter would be discussed some time in April or May. Nina Beatty said that cities that have passed ordinances opposing SmartMeters have had an effect of stalling the installation of those meters. She said that opposition is growing. Nelson 3  City Council Minutes Tuesday, February 15, 2011 Vega suggested that if the City allocated available water to those on the waiting list, a meter could be installed the next day and those projects would not be subject to a moratorium. He said that RDA money comes from individuals and because it is collected by the state and sent back to the cities, the return is minimal. On question, Chief of Planning and Engineering Rerig explained that it is not known how the moratorium would be defined and regulated if it goes into effect, so staff does not yet know who would be affected. City Attorney Mall clarified that if the CPUC adopts the draft decision, CalAm would have to obtain a letter to shut off new applications. Mike Dawson said that Library's Chocolate and Wine Tasting event would be held Friday from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., it will sell out, and it is not to be missed. Having no further requests to speak, Mayor Della Sala closed public comments. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 9. Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Committee Request to Rehear Guidance to NIP Committee Regarding Project Selection for FY 2011/12 ***NIP*** (Plans and Public Works - 808-01) Action: Discussed, no action taken City Engineer Reeves presented the staff report and answered Councilmembers' questions. Mayor Della Sala opened the floor to the NIP representative. Richard Ruccello, NIP Alternate Spokesperson, gave a brief history of the NIP's actions over the past two years. He expressed concerns that the Council had submitted $5 million of non-neighborhood specific projects for consideration this year. He said that it is the Council's responsibility under the Charter to determine if the economic situation is such that the City needs to take the NIP money for general City use and to do that by a four-fifths vote. He said that the NIP Committee needs guidance. Councilmember Sollecito suggested that the Council Subcommittee could meet to work through this matter with the NIP Spokesperson. Assistant City Manager Cohn suggested that the matter could be discussed again at the Council's March 15 meeting in conjunction with the budget. Mayor Della Sala said that he and the Vice Mayor would review the March 1 agenda to see if it is possible to schedule this matter sooner than March 15. Mayor Della Sala opened the floor for further public comment, and having no requests to speak closed the floor. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Selfridge asked when the discussion regarding Managers' salaries would be heard, and Assistant City Manager Cohn said that is scheduled for March 1. Ms. Selfridge asked if the figure is available for the cost of the Monterey Hotel project, and staff advised her that it will be available at the next meeting. She asked for a report on Stohan's building, and Chief of Planning and Engineering Rerig provided an update. She asked about the status of the Regional Taxi Authority, and Councilmember Downey gave a brief update. Ms. Selfridge asked what is happening with the Depot lease. Mr. Rerig said that the Planning Commission discussed the matter at their last meeting and voted not to lease it before the waterfront plan is further along. 4 City Council Minutes Tuesday, February 15, 2011 Councilmember Downey congratulated the Portola Hotel for their LEED status. She asked if the Grand Jury Report is available for Council, and Assistant City Manager Cohn said it is publicly available, and staff would bring an item responding to it at the March 15 meeting. Councilmember Downey reviewed some of the Grand Jury's findings regarding water. Mayor Della Sala said that the recently installed Tenth Street Businesses sign is not visible to those coming from Seaside toward Monterey. Mr. Rerig said that the sign was funded by the businesses and they chose not to fund a second sign. Mayor Della Sala gave an update on the progress of the Regional Desal project. CITY MANAGER REPORTS Assistant City Manager Cohn had no report. The Mayor adjourned the meeting to closed session at 5:37 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM CLOSED SESSION Information Resources Director/City Clerk Gawf announced that the conference with labor negotiators was continued to March 1, 2011. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 5:44 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Bonnie Gawf, CMC Chuck Della Sala Director Information Resources / City Clerk Mayor 5