Council Special Meeting

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING CITY OF MONTEREY Wednesday, May 25, 2011 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Councilmembers Present: Councilmembers Downey, Selfridge, Sollecito, Della Sala Absent: Councilmember Haferman City Staff City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Director of Information Present: Resources/City Clerk, Assistant Director Plans and Public Works, Chief of Planning, Engineering, and Environmental , Finance Director, Community Services Director, Assistant City Attorney, Deputy Police Chief CALL TO ORDER Mayor Della Sala called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 1. Infrastructure Capital Investment Needs Analysis (Plans & Public Works - 807-01) Action: Received report City Manager Meurer introduced the item, and Deputy Public Works Director Uslar presented the staff report. Mayor Della Sala opened the floor for public comments, and having no requests to speak, closed public comments on the item. 2. Review Proposed Sanitary Sewer Rate Restructuring, Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Capital Improvement Project List, Authorize Mailing of Proposition 218 Notice, and Consider Adoption of a Sewer Connection Fee (Plans & Public Works - 802-06) Action: Concurred with proposed sewer rate restructuring to base sewer charges on wastewater flow; concurred that all aspects of the proposed sanitary sewer system rehabilitation CIP, estimated at $16.8 million, are to be accomplished through State revolving loan funding, subject to a public hearing; set July 19, 2011 for a Public Hearing and First Reading of an Ordinance to consider the rate restructuring of the City's sewer charges and phased rate increase; directed staff to draft an ordinance amending Chapter 30 of the Monterey City Code to include a sewer connection fee as proposed and to bring the ordinance back to Council for adoption Chief of Planning and Engineering Rerig presented the staff report. Doug Dove, Bartle Wells Associates, summarized the results of a sewer rate study, reviewing capital needs and funding options. Mayor Della Sala opened the floor for public comments on the item. Barbara Bass Evans opposed any fee or rate increases to the citizens of Monterey, and said that there is adequate money in the general fund to cover sewers and storm drains as priority items. Keith Israel, MRWPCA General Manager, said that his agency has worked very hard to keep their rates down and the regional approach has helped in the effort. He supported the staff recommendation. Having no further requests to speak, Mayor Della Sala closed public  City Council Minutes Wednesday, May 25, 2011 comments. Councilmember Downey voiced concerns about the amount of increases for large commercial users, and said that fees have been increased continually. Councilmember Sollecito said that in reviewing the chart he believes that the region is in a good position and has kept costs low. He noted the importance of reinvesting in the infrastructure, saying that it would be foolish not to do so at this time. City Manager Meurer said that the City has minimized fee increases over the past twenty years, and the system has lasted in spite of heavy use. He said this process lays out a strategy that will maintain the system for the next twenty years. It was moved by Councilmember Sollecito, and seconded by Councilmember Downey, to approve starting Prop 218 procedures for the proposed sanitary sewer rate restructuring; concur with proposed sewer rate restructuring to base sewer charges on wastewater flow; concur that all aspects of the proposed sanitary sewer system rehabilitation CIP, estimated at $16.8 million, are to be accomplished through State revolving loan funding, subject to a public hearing; set July 19, 2011 for a Public Hearing and First Reading of an Ordinance to consider the rate restructuring of the City's sewer charges and phased rate increase; and direct staff to draft an ordinance amending Chapter 30 of the Monterey City Code to include a sewer connection fee as proposed and to bring the ordinance back to Council for adoption. Councilmember Downey said she does not believe there is a choice, but she wishes the City had started this process five years ago. Deputy Public Works Director Uslar explained that a process was started several years ago, but the interpretation of the legislation was under way within the courts. He clarified that this most recent process has been under way for two years. Councilmember Selfridge asked for clarification on the connection fee, and staff explained that it is based on the amount of wastewater flow. On question, staff explained the notification and protest process. Mayor Della Sala said that there will be another public hearing on August 2, and this is a way to address the infrastructure needs. 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 RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None OTHER BUSINESS 3. Request by Councilmember Selfridge to Agendize Sister City Relationship with Lankaran, Azerbaijan (Selfridge - 706-10) Action: Agendized Councilmember Selfridge reported that she has been working with several agencies and nonprofits to make arrangements for visitors coming from Azerbaijan in June. On a motion by Councilmember Selfridge, seconded by Councilmember Sollecito, and carried by the following vote, the City Council agendized a discussion of a Sister City Relationship with Lankaran, Azerbaijan at the June 7, 2011 City Council meeting: 2 City Council Minutes Wednesday, May 25, 2011 AYES: 4 COUNCILMEMBERS: Downey, Selfridge, Sollecito, Della Sala NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Haferman ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None ADJOURNMENT Having no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Della Sala adjourned the meeting at 5:51 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, /s/ /s/ Bonnie L. Gawf Chuck Della Sala Information Resources Director/City Clerk Mayor 3