Council Regular Meeting

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING CITY OF MONTEREY Tuesday, August 21, 2012 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, City Attorney, Assistant City Manager, Finance Director, Present: Community Services Director, Deputy Police Chief, Chief of Planning, Engineering, and Environmental Compliance , Interim Deputy City Manager, Plans & Public Works, Housing & Property Manager, Parking Superintendent, Senior Assistant City Clerk CALL TO ORDER Mayor Della Sala called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. PRESENTATIONS 1. Recognition of Library "Gold Rush" Endowment Donors (Library - 409-03) Action: Presentation made CONSENT ITEMS On a motion by Councilmember Downey, seconded by Councilmember Haferman, and carried by the following vote, the City Council approved the Consent Agenda except for Item 5 which was pulled from Consent for discussion: 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. August 7, 2012 (Information Resources - 701-09) Action: Adopted Award of Contracts 3. Paint the Interior of Building 848 at the Presidio of Monterey and Authorize a Sole Source Award for Removal and Relocation of Smart Boards, Computers in Classrooms, and Desk Furniture in Offices at the Presidio of Monterey **PMSA** (Plans & Public Works - 405-04) Action: Adopted Resolution 12-125 C.S.  City Council Minutes Tuesday, August 21, 2012 4. Del Monte Avenue/Pacific Street Intersection Improvement Project Construction Contract ***CIP*** (Plans & Public Works - 405-04) Action: Adopted Resolution 12-126 C.S. 5. SP Passenger Depot Exterior Wood Repairs, Lead-Based Paint Remediation and Exterior Painting (Plans & Public Works - 405-04) Action: Pulled from Consent agenda; discussed; and adopted Resolution 12-127 C.S. Housing and Property Manager Marvin presented the agenda report, stressing the project as proposed is to repair the outside of the Passenger Depot, stopping the deterioration and ensuring exterior improvement are consistent with the historic report. Mr. Marvin noted that the project would be paid with CDBG funds. Councilmember Selfridge expressed concerns that the process was backwards, stressing that repairs and fair market appraisal should have been done before lease proposals were accepted, asking the Historic Preservation Commission to keep this in mind in the future. Mr. Marvin noted repairs were a staff priority, but it has taken time to put it all together. Mr. Marvin indicated the Waterfront Subcommittee will be reviewing the lease proposals and Mayor Della Sala provided more information on the composition of subcommittee, stating that they hope to be reviewing the fair market appraisal in 3 weeks. Mayor Della Sala opened public comment on this item and seeing no requests to speak closed public comments. On a motion by Councilmember Sollecito, seconded by Councilmember Downey, and carried by the following vote, the City Council approved staff recommendation including the additional 15% contingency: 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 Ordinances 6. Table First Reading: Amend Chapter 17 of the Monterey City Code to Add Article 8 Governing Uses & Activities In & Around the Boat Dry Storage Yard (Public Facilities - 904-07) Action: Tabled Resolutions 7. Authorize City Manager to Enter into Memorandum of Understanding Between MST and the City of Monterey for Ongoing Maintenance and Operations of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Jazz Line (Plans & Public Works - 813-02) Action: Adopted Resolution 12-128 C.S. 8. Appropriate Funds from the California Historic Preservation Grant; Authorize the City Manager to Enter into an Agreement with the Office of Historic Preservation; and, Authorize Release of a Request for Proposals to Prepare Historic Design Guidelines for the National Historic Landmark District and Lighting Guidelines for the Downtown Specific Plan (Plans & Public Works - 406- 04) 2  City Council Minutes Tuesday, August 21, 2012 Action: Adopted Resolution 12-129 C.S. 9. Authorize the City Manager to Enter into Vehicle Maintenance Agreements Between the City of Monterey and Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District and City of Seaside (Plans & Public Works - 706-08) Action: Adopted Resolution 12-130 C.S. 10. Authorize City Manager to Execute an Agreement Accepting the State of California Dept. of Boating & Waterways’ $100,000 Boating Infrastructure Grant and to Appropriate the Funds (Public Facilities - 406-04) Action: Adopted Resolution 12-131 C.S. 11. Authorize City Manager to Execute Agreements Accepting the State of California Dept. of Boating & Waterways’ $10,000 Abandoned Watercraft Abatement Program Grant and $10,000 Vessel Turn-In Program Grant and to Appropriate the Funds (Public Facilities - 406-04) Action: Adopted Resolutions 12-132 and 12-133 C.S. 12. Award Engineering and Surveying Services Contract for Neighborhood Traffic Calming Projects ***NIP*** (Plans & Public Works - 405-04) Action: Adopted Resolution 12-134 C.S. 13. Award City E-Mail System Contract to SADA Systems (Information Resources - 105-03) Action: Adopted Resolution 12-135 C.S. ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Della Sala opened public comments on items not on the agenda and seeing no requests to speak closed public comments. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 14. Review Permit Parking Program In Parking Lot #6 and Provide Direction To Staff (Public Facilities - 901-06) Action: Provided direction to staff to bring back a resolution at the next meeting decreasing permit parking from 9 spaces to 6 City Manager Meurer and Director Bui-Burton introduced this item. Parking Superintendent Dalton provided history on the use of Parking Lot #6 and asked Council to hear from the public and based on that to give staff direction on how to proceed. Mr. Dalton closed his presentation, indicating the Parking Division can manage the parking lot however the Council decides. Mayor Della Sala opened public comment on this item. Sam Balesteri stated he initiated the petition included in the agenda report and asked the City to reverse Resolution 11-121, returning the lot to 30-minute parking zones only. Tom Christian, Sally Elves, Ben Balesteri, and Sherry Tuioti spoke in support of reverting the parking lot back to 30-minute parking zones, citing numerous issues unloading and loading for maintenance workers, employees, and by the public that would be improved by the reversal. Ben Balesteri noted that GPS points the public to 3  City Council Minutes Tuesday, August 21, 2012 this lot, indicating this should be changed. Mary Alice Fettis representing the Fisherman's Wharf Association stated she prefers a solution that is more positive for customers of the wharf. Anthony Lombardo and Bob Massaro, both representing Chris Shake, spoke in support of leaving the status quo in place. Seeing no more requests to speak Mayor Della Sala closed public comment. Superintendent Dalton responded to questions from the Council about the number and location of spaces and Director Bui-Burton stressed that there is extremely limited parking capacity in this are with different parking needs. Councilmember Haferman stated GPS pointers to the wharf can be changed. Superintendent Dalton noted that 8 of the 9 permit parking permits are annual permits and expire September 30th. Councilmember Haferman noted that the agenda report indicates that the current program has been a success in controlling this lot. Councilmember Sollecito stated he saw no evidence supporting a need to change the use, but indicated that since the first 6 permits sold quickly, he could support lowering the number from 9 to 6. Councilmember Downey supported an increase in the number of 30-minute spaces, indicating a preference to keep 6 permit parking spaces and that those that held the first 6 permits issued could be renewed. On a motion by Councilmember Downey, seconded by Councilmember Haferman, and carried by the following vote, the City Council directed staff to bring back to Council at the next Council meeting a resolution reducing the number of permit parking spaces in Parking Lot #6 from 9 to 6 spaces: 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 Mayor Della Sala recessed the meeting at 5:35 p.m. and the Council reconvened at 7:00 p.m. where all members were present. Mayor Della Sala welcomed to the meeting a group of Monterey High School Civics Class students and teachers. Mayor Della Sala noted that local activist Barbara Bass Evans passed away recently and held a moment of silence in her honor. CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Della Sala opened public comments on items not on the agenda and seeing no requests to speak closed public comments. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 15. Receive Monterey Conference Center Financial Study, Authorize Staff to Gather Input from Stakeholders on Formation of a Conference Center Facilities District and Return with Recommendation, and Adopt Resolution Appropriating Funds for Additional Architectural Services (Finance - 406-04) Action: Study received; authorized staff to gather input from stakeholders; and adopted Resolution 12-136 C.S. Appropriating Funds for Additional Architectural Services City Manager Meurer introduced the item, noting that the Conference Center is central to the economic well-being of the City of Monterey and stressed unfortunately that the Conference Center has slowly been losing its market share for some time due to its condition. Mr. Meurer asked the Council to receive the financial study, approve funds for architects to cover the what-if questions to help Council make its ultimate decisions, and to articulate any concerns 4 City Council Minutes Tuesday, August 21, 2012 the Council has with the preferred alternative. Director Bui-Burton asked for time to take this out to the hotel community, emphasizing that in order to make this community strong we need strong economic drivers like a state of the art conference center. Conference Center General Manager Cowdrey provided a history of the center including studies that have taken place over the last decade. Mr. Cowdrey noted that in 2011 the City hired consultants to gather information to see what could be done and invited stakeholders into the process and worked with the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Mr. Cowdrey indicated that based on comments from past customers, current, customers, and from potential customers that did not select use of the center, that the center has fallen behind not only in its finishes, but in technology, exhibit space and lacks a strong visual presence. He stated the area is still an ideal destination, but to stay competitive the venue needs to be significantly upgraded. Mr. Cowdrey described the 4 options that were prepared, noting Number 4 is the preferred alternative and that the first 3 options do not have the potential to increase our market share. He stressed that the preferred alternative has the potential to increase capacity in all aspects of the center. Finance Director Rhoads presented the financing study, stating $30M is the cost of the preferred alternative. Mr. Rhoads provided details on debt services, bond services, and stressed that calculations used are geared towards worse case scenarios, but the actual costs could be lower dependent on when the process starts and which funding source is selected. Mr. Rhoads described the 3 funding alternatives, which are an increase in Transient Occupancy Tax, creation of a Conference Center Facilities District (CCFD), and creation of a Business Improvement District (BID). Mr. Rhoads clarified that general taxes were not considered as a funding source. Instead, he stated, it is recommended that funds be generated from those that receive benefit from the project most directly, citing hotels, restaurants, etc. Mr. Rhoads described the differences between the 3 financing alternatives, comparing tax equity, tax rates, voter approval process, timing, administration and other benefits and risks. Mr. Rhoads closed by stating the CCFD is the preferred financing alternative and asked the Council to direct staff to go out to stakeholders to gather data and to approve a resolution for additional architectural services. Councilmembers Downey and Selfridge expressed concerns over leveling the Steinbeck forum included in the preferred alternative. Councilmember Sollecito stated the idea of leveling the forum came from experts and talking to our clients who need to have larger and more flexible meeting rooms. Mayor Della Sala opened public comment on this item. Monterey Marriott General Manager Boskoff spoke in support of the preferred alternative and a CCFD financing alternative, stating that any other alternative is not viable. Nelson Vega spoke in favor of an upgrade and the City making the right decision after a sound evaluation of what is possible. Luis Osorio expressed concerns that the community needs to know more about the upgrade, asked what was the EIR process for the project and the impact on the sewer system. He stated he did not think the City should go forward until after the new Downtown and Waterfront Plans were approved. Mr. Osorio closed expressing concerns that the vistas seen from the current center's terraces may be lost if the preferred alternative is selected. Chief of Planning, Engineering, and Environmental Compliance Rerig indicated that an environmental review will be done as the project proceeds, but the current information gathering is exempt from environmental review. Mr. Rerig also noted that the project would go through the City's architectural review process just like any other construction project. Clement International General Manager Turner urged Council to strongly support the preferred 5 City Council Minutes Tuesday, August 21, 2012 alternative and the CCFD in order to bolster the center's vitality and be competitive as a state of the art facility with intelligence meeting space. Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa General Manager Narigi urged the Council to improve its most important asset and make it the anchor for downtown, citing how an increase in flexible meeting space in his facility significantly improved its ability to thrive. Mr. Narigi said that any other alternative is just a band-aid. Portola Plaza Hotel General Manager Chicourrat spoke in support of preferred alternative and the CCFD. She applauded the financial safeguards described by Director Rhoads. Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau President & CEO Blount asked Council to adopt the requests and move forward, stressing that this is a critical path towards a better future, not just for the hospitality industry but for other jobs as well. Uwe Grobecker agreed that the center needed an update, but suggested the City may have out priced itself and that that is why the center is losing its market share. He asked whether the City had considered privatization of the center and suggested leasing it out to someone else as to run as a conference center. MPCC President Hansen spoke in support of the preferred alternative and CCFD, stating meetings are different today and the current layout of the Steinbeck Forum is not conducive to those types of meetings. Seeing no further requests to speak, Mayor Della Sala closed public comment. On a motion by Councilmember Downey, seconded by Councilmember Haferman, and carried by the following vote, the City Council received the Monterey Conference Center Financial Study, Authorized Staff to Gather Input from Stakeholders on Formation of a Conference Center Facilities District and Return with Recommendation, and Adopted Resolution 12-136 C.S. Appropriating Funds for Additional Architectural Services: 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 Selfridge asked whether the City have looked at privatization of the center and City Manager Meurer stated some time ago the Council voted against doing this. He requested that if Council wants to consider privatization, that it be agendized as a separate item. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Selfridge encouraged the public to attend the Turkish Festival noting that Sister City representatives from both Turkey and Azerbaijan will be in attendance. Councilmember Downey urged the public send emails to the CPUC supporting the Division of Ratepayers Advocates' request to rehear the CPUC decision that authorized CalAm its full rate of return for a project that did not add a water facility and did not supplement any aspect of water supply. She provided these email addresses: michael.peevey@cpcuc.ca.gov, joe.como@cpuc.ca.gov, and public.advisory@cpuc.ca.gov. Councilmember Downey stated she went to a ribbon cutting at Whole Foods and applauded their upgrades and the selection of organic foods. She closed by suggesting the City start the recruitment process for hiring a new city manager as Fred Meurer retires next year. Mayor Della Sala recommended the Council wait until the election is over and the new Council is installed. Councilmember Sollecito requested the Council agendize a discussion on whether to send a letter from the City supporting the DRA request of a rehearing by the CPUC. He noted that a 6 City Council Minutes Tuesday, August 21, 2012 recent newscast used old video and may have been misleading to the public, stressing that Monterey is a safe town and has very few bar or liquor related incidents. Mayor Della Sala spoke of a letter to the editor complaining about traffic uses during Car Week, noting that on Friday afternoon traffic was much heavier on Del Monte Avenue due to a construction accident that pierced a gas line on the corner of Ramona and Fremont. He noted that Car Week was a success and stressed how much events like this bring to the city. CITY MANAGER REPORTS City Manager Meurer noted that the City currently has two 4-person strike teams deployed plus 2 emergency medical technicians assisting other agencies and this is somewhat stretching the City's resources thin locally. Mr. Meurer noted that the agenda for the day after Labor Day, September 4th is a consent agenda only. ADJOURNMENT Having no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Della Sala adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Catherine Raynor Chuck Della Sala Senior Assistant City Clerk Mayor 7