Council Regular Meeting

MINUTES CITY CITY OF MONTEREY 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. 7:00 - 11:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Councilmembers Present: Councilmembers Downey, Haferman, Selfridge, Sollecito, Della Sala Absent: None City Staff City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Director of Information Present: Resources/City Clerk, City Attorney, Assistant Director Plans and Public Works, Chief of Planning, Engineering, & Environmental Co, Finance Director, Fire Chief, Human Resources Director, Recreation & Community Services Director, Deputy Police Chief, Assistant Library Director, Housing & Property Manager, Senior Planner CALL TO ORDER Mayor Della Sala called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. PRESENTATIONS 1. William E. Parker Award to Fire Captain LaFontaine for his Extraordinary Leadership, Commitment, and Dedication to the Monterey Fire Department (Fire - 502-08) Action: Recognition given and presentation made Mayor Della Sala read a citation honoring Captain LaFontaine and presented him with a plaque and a pin, which Mrs. LaFontaine pinned to his uniformed. Captain LaFontaine made brief comments, thanking the Council and his collegues. CONSENT ITEMS City Manager Meurer said that the staff recommendation on Item 7 is to continue it until March 15. On a motion by Councilmember Sollecito, seconded by Councilmember Haferman, and carried by the following vote, the City Council continued Item 7 to March 15, 2011: AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Downey, Haferman, Selfridge, Sollecito, Della Sala NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None Councilmember Haferman said that he would abstain from voting on Item 2 because he was not present at the February 15 meeting. On a motion by Councilmember Sollecito, seconded by Councilmember Downey, and carried by the following vote, except Item 2 from which Councilmember Haferman abstained, the City Council approved the Consent Agenda:  City Council Minutes Tuesday, March 1, 2011 AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Downey, Haferman, Selfridge, Sollecito, Della Sala NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None Approval of Minutes 2. February 15, 2011 (Information Resources - 701-09) Action: Approved (4-0-1, Haferman abstaining) Award of Contracts 3. Award Contract to Replace Barracks Toilets in Multiple Barracks, a American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) Project (Plans & Public Works - 807-02) Action: Adopted Resolution No.11-015 C.S. Resolutions 4. Amend Resolution 10-088 Amending the Position Control List To Add One Marina/Harbor Assistant Overfill Position In the Public Facilities Department (Public Facilities - 502-03) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 11-016 C.S. 5. Authorize the City Manager to Enter into the Monterey County Behavioral Health Crisis Negotiation Team Inter-Agency Agreement on Behalf of the City of Monterey (Police - 704-05) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 11-017 C.S. ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Della Sala opened the floor for public comments on items not on the agenda, and having no requests to speak, closed public comments. Council adjourned to closed session at 4:19 p.m., recessed at 5:35 p.m., then reconvened in open session at 7:10 p.m. ***Adjourn to Closed Session*** ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM CLOSED SESSION Information Resources Director/City Clerk Gawf announced the following closed session actions: In a conference with labor negotiators regarding all employee organizations and unrepresented Executive Management employees, on a roll call vote, the City Council gave confidential direction to their negotiators on a vote of 4-1, with Councilmember Selfridge voting no. In a conference with labor negotiators regarding all employee organizations and unrepresented Executive Management and Regular Part Time employees, on two separate 2  City Council Minutes Tuesday, March 1, 2011 unanimous roll call votes, the City Council gave confidential direction to their negotiators. This discussion will be continued after the evening session. CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Della Sala reopened the floor for public comments on items not on the agenda. Lorna Moffett reported on the progress made toward using fewer pesticides in the City and thanked the Parks Department for allowing meadow lands to grow. She said that she read in the paper that PG&E faces fines regarding an investigation of their maintenance of pipelines. Bob Oliver encouraged people to attend a hearing to support Bay View Academy Charter School. He displayed a pair of night vision goggles, saying that people could see visiting space craft in the night skys using them, which proves the Federal government is lying to the American people. Having no further requests to speak, Mayor Della Sala closed public comments. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 6. Presentation on Priority-based Budgeting Process (Finance - 406-03) Action: Received and discussed report Finance Director Rhoads presented the staff report. Mayor Della Sala opened the floor for public comments on the item. Debbie Lence said that she was enthused to see that the City is asking the public what they want and pleased that they most want health and well-being, such as the program to reduce the use of pesticides. Bob Oliver agreed with the previous speaker that the City does many things well, and he voiced concerns about the compensation of top end employees. Clyde Roberson said that one of the advantages of this type of budgeting is that it does not require across-the-board cuts, but focuses on what is important to the community. He noted that the survey provides one guide, and another guide is usage of facilities like the Sports Center and Library. He spoke of the importance of the Library to the community, said that it has taken disproportional cuts in the past, and he hopes it does not take further cuts this year. Nelson Vega asked if this process has been used successfully before, and he voiced concerns that some programs were rated by staff. He said that he was surprised that economic vitality did not rate higher because it is the driver of the other programs. Lorna Moffett agreed with Mr. Oliver's statement regarding slashing employees' compensation. John Narigi echoed the comments of Mr. Vega regarding economic vitality, saying that it funds the good things in Monterey. He voiced concerns regarding public safety and potential effects of crime on tourism. Marilyn Garrett, retired school teacher, read from an article about Martin Luther King. Carl Outzen said that the survey indicates the biggest concern is health, education, and welfare, and he supported keeping the Sports Center and Library open full time. He said that entitlement programs should be cut, each department should reviewed, and outsourcing considered. Having no further requests to speak, Mayor Della Sala closed public comment on the item. Councilmember Haferman said that this survey is one component of Council's decision making, but not the only piece. He said that interpretation of the results will be important as Council goes through the budget process. 3  City Council Minutes Tuesday, March 1, 2011 Adjourn to Redevelopment Agency Meeting REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY - PUBLIC APPEARANCE 7. Receive Report and Recommendation on Alternative for Completing 18-Low Income Apartment Units in the Monterey Hotel Mixed-Use Project ; 406 Alvarado Street - Staff recommends moving this item to the March 15, 2011 meeting (Plans and Public Works) (Plans & Public Works - 207-03) Action: Continued to March 15, 2011 Adjourn to City Council Meeting PUBLIC APPEARANCE 8. Consider Adopting an Interim Urgency Ordinance Prohibiting PG&E from the Installation and Activation of SmartMeters in the City of Monterey or Adopting a Resolution Demanding PG&E Halt the installation of SmartMeters and Related Equipment (Plans & Public Works - 101-03) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 11-018 C.S., declaring the City Council's position pertaining to SmartMeters and related equipment, and demanding a halt to the installation and activation of SmartMeters for those accountholders who would prefer to opt out of the SmartMeter program Assistant Public Works Director Uslar presented the staff report. Mayor Della Sala opened public comments on the item. Bob Oliver said that PG&E has lied to him on several occasions, and he supported the moratorium. David Dilworth, HOPE, thanked the Council for agendizing this issue, and spoke in support of a moratorium. Jackie Dick spoke in support of a moratorium and said that people have a right to protect their property. Robert Taylor said that when he refused to allow installation of a SmartMeter, PG&E threatened to cut off his gas. He said that a moratorium would just put off the inevitable. Wendy Sarsfield, Local Government Manager, said that Monterey is a leader in energy saving initiatives, and SmartMeters will pave the way for innovations such as electric vehicle power stations. She opposed a moratorium. Tom Guarino, PG&E, said that the wireless system was chosen based on cost and FCC requirements. He clarified that six hundred people have been hired to complete the installation and 30-40 companies have been formed to help people manage their energy efficiency needs. On question he explained the notification process. Debbie Lence said that misinformation is still being reported and staff recommendations are flawed. She supported a moratorium. Nina Beatty spoke in support of a moratorium. Ruth Crotzer, Monterey homeowner, spoke in support of the moratorium, saying that she has a sign on her meter asking for a delay in installation. She asked how the solar flare would affect computer chips. Rodea Salit spoke in support of the moratorium and cited safety concerns. Marilyn Garrett spoke in support of a moratorium. Mike Dawson said that he has a SmartMeter, his bills did not go up, and he does not feel any ill effects. He said that he is installing a solar array, which requires another SmartMeter, and a moratorium would affect his ability to have that installed. He opposed a moratorium. Larry Parrish spoke in support of a moratorium. Glen Chase, Professor of Systems Management, spoke in support of a moratorium. Rhonda Hicks spoke in support of a moratorium. Lorna Moffett read from the New York Times, and spoke in support of a moratorium. Having no further requests to speak, Mayor Della Sala 4 City Council Minutes Tuesday, March 1, 2011 closed public comment on the item. It was moved by Councilmember Downey, and seconded by Councilmember Sollecito, to adopt Resolution No. 11-018 C.S., declaring the City Council's position pertaining to SmartMeters and related equipment and demanding a halt to the installation and actication of SmartMeters for those accountholders who would prefer to opt out of the SmartMeter program. Councilmember Sollecito said that he is disappointed with officials in Sacramento and he believes that the City should send a message. Councilmember Haferman said that he has a great deal of concern, and there is a lot of conflicting information. He said that a resolution will have the desired effect. On question, City Attorney Mall explained that an ordinance can be enforced by citations, and a resolution is a strong statement of Council's position. She noted that eventhough Watsonville has an ordinance, they are not taking the matter to court to enforce it. Councilmember Selfridge said that she and her children do not want a SmartMeter at their house, and she hopes PG&E will take notice of this. Mayor Della Sala explained that the resolution is a symbolic gesture, and there will be no enforceability. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Downey, Haferman, Selfridge, Sollecito, Della Sala NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Selfridge said that she personally supported Colton as being a K-8 school, and it is a great school. Mayor Della Sala asked to have an update on the Regional Taxi Authority at the next meeting. CITY MANAGER REPORTS City Manager Meurer reported that paving of Aguajito Road would begin when the weather warms up. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Della Sala adjourned the meeting to closed session at 9:50 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM CLOSED SESSION Information Resources Director/City Clerk Gawf made the following announcements regarding the closed session actions. In a conference with labor negotiators regarding all employee organizations and unrepresented employees, which was continued from the afternoon, the City Council gave confidential direction to their negotiators in two separate unanimous roll call votes. Another motion failed due to the requirement for a four-fifths vote for passage. The vote on that motion was 3-2, with Councilmember Sollecito and Mayor Della Sala voting no. In a conference with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation, on a unanimous roll call vote, the City Council 5 City Council Minutes Tuesday, March 1, 2011 gave confidential direction to their counsel. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Bonnie Gawf Chuck Della Sala Director Information Resources / City Clerk Mayor 6