Council Special Meeting

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING CITY OF MONTEREY Wednesday, January 25, 2012 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. 7:00 - 11:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Councilmembers Present: Councilmembers Downey, Haferman, Selfridge, Sollecito, Della Sala Absent: None City Staff City Manager, Interim City Attorney, Director of Information Resources/City Present: Clerk, Assistant City Manager, Finance Director, Police Chief, Community Services Director, Assistant Director Plans and Public Works, Chief of Planning, Engineering, and Environmental Compliance, Housing & Property Manager, Principal Planner, Traffic Engineer CALL TO ORDER Mayor Della Sala called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m., noting that all members of the City Council and Planning Commission are present. Adjourn to Joint City Council and Planning Commission Meeting Planning Commissioners Present: McCrone, Stocker, Davis, Widmar, Osorio, and Chair Gardner STUDY SESSION 1. Citywide Transportation Study Session (Plans & Public Works - 803-12) Action: Received and discussed report; directed staff to return on February 14, 2012 for Planning Commission action and on February 21, 2012 for City Council action Principal Planner Cole presented the staff report, reviewing the history of the project and its objectives. Jeff Tumlin with Nelson\Nygaard presented the urban design and context, and Rob Rees, Fehn & Peers, described the transportation studies associated with the project. Mr. Tumlin reviewed a proposal for an extension of Alvarado Street past the Conference Center and the redesign of a number of several key intersections throughout the City. Mr. Rees presented objectives and a proposal for Lighthouse corridor circulation, including a potential to install left turn lanes at Prescott St. He explained possible improvements to the North Fremont Gateway to the City. Mayor Della Sala opened the floor for public comments on the item. Mike Brassfield, CONA representative, asked questions regarding possible state ownership of one of the proposed routes. He suggested changing the name of North Fremont Street by dropping the "North." Mary Alice Cerrito-Fettis, President of North Fremont Business District, supported slowing the traffic entering the District, landscaping improvement, and renaming North Fremont. Frank Donangelo, Foursome Development Company, voiced concerns about losing parking spaces at the intersection of Lighthouse and Prescott, saying that it would have a very negative impact on the businesses in Lighthouse Square. He supported two way traffic on Lighthouse. He said that the current no left turn configuration has been successful. Matthew Sundt said that he appreciates the commercial value along Lighthouse corridor and it needs to maintain its viability. He opposed the losing parking spaces at Prescott and the idea of three lanes leading  City Council Minutes Wednesday, January 25, 2012 into the tunnel. He supported the value of roundabouts with regard to health and safety and reducing vehicle emissions. He suggested adding roundabouts at Four Corners and in front of Casa Munras Hotel. Kelly Thorenson, owner of On the Beach Surf Shop opposed removing parking spaces on Lighthouse at Prescott and supported keeping the no left turn configuration. Sharon Dwight, Monterey resident, noted that if grants were going to be used for Lighthouse Avenue, it would be important to make improvements in traffic flow. She opposed introducing left turn lanes. She voiced concerns about closing Polk and merging three lanes into two as traffic moves into the tunnel. She asked about the effects of the changes on neighboring streets. Masoud Homami, owner of Persian Grill, opposed eliminating parking spaces on Lighthouse, saying that it would have a major negative impact on his business. Having no further requests to speak, Mayor Della Sala closed public comment. Councilmember Downey voiced concerns about opening Alvarado Mall to traffic and adding left turns on Lighthouse. Councilmember Sollecito said that the design of Alvarado to potentially open it to cars is a tool that could be managed and used to benefit the City. Councilmember Haferman supported a two way Alvarado, installing traffic circles where appropriate, and renaming streets. He said that he has a lot of questions regarding the expanded grid. He said that the City should pay attention to the New Monterey Neighborhood and Business Districts' opposition to adding left turns back to Lighthouse. Councilmember Sollecito supported using roundabouts. He said that this plan brings forward the City's assets and helps businesses, but does not speed traffic. He opposed left turns on Lighthouse. Planning Commissioner Stocker agreed that he does not support left turns on Lighthouse. Planning Commissioner McCrone asked whether it is necessary for Del Monte to have a lane coming into Downtown. Commissioner Osorio said that it is important that the plan have more of a pedestrian focus in order to comply with the General Plan. He opposed the extension of traffic into the Custom House Plaza. He asked to see additional details of how the extension of Alvarado connects to Scott Street. He supported connecting the Church to the Downtown via Figueroa Street. Commissioner Garden asked to see the impact of the proposed changes on the ability to provide additional public transit. Commissioner Davis voiced concerns about increasing traffic on Hartnell. He asked to study the potential to access property as traffic moves through town. By consensus the Council directed staff to return on February 14, 2012 for Planning Commission review and recommendation and to return on February 21, 2012 to the City Council for consideration of the Planning Commission recommendation. Mayor Della Sala called a recess at 5:42 p.m., then reconvened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 2. Receive a Report and Consider Resolution to elect the City of Monterey to serve as Successor Housing Agency to Retain the RDA Housing Assets and Functions Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 34176 and Adopt the Enforceable Obligations Payment Schedule (Plans & Public Works - 406-05) Action: Received report 2  City Council Minutes Wednesday, January 25, 2012 The City Manager introduced the item, and Property and Housing Manager Marvin presented the staff report. Mayor Della Sala opened the item for public comments. George Riley said that it seems that City has more flexibility with the tax increment than other cities. City Manager Meurer explained that the RDA had obligations to the General Fund of approximately $30 million, but the State legislation takes the tax increment and it will probably be used for schools. Nelson Vega said that Redevelopment is dead, and the County will take the housing assets and manage them. He explained that there will be an oversight committee that will review the cities' decisions. Tom Rowley, Monterey resident, suggested that some of the state legislators should be recalled. He said that Monterey's housing program has been a model for other cities. He opposed turning over the management of the program to the County and asked Council to maintain the program in house. Having no further requests to speak, Mayor Della Sala closed public comment on the item. Mr. Marvin explained that housing assets are to be transferred to a successor housing agency, which is not subject to an oversight committee. He said that the assets are not subject to the disposal requirement. Mayor Della Sala said that a meeting will take place on Monday at 11:30 a.m. to review resolutions associated with this topic. Council adjourned to a meeting of the RDA. 2.5. Approve Amendments to the Enforceable Obligation Payment Schedule (Plans & Public Works - . 406-05) Action: Approved Finance Director Rhoads presented the staff report. Chair Della Sala opened the floor for public comments on the item. Nelson Vega asked if because the City and RDA boards are the same people they have lost their fiduciary protection. Mr. Rhoads said that could be how it was viewed. Tom Rowley said that he believes it is a mistake for the City to obligate itself to replace the Ocean Harbor House development. Mr. Marvin explained that the Ocean Harbor House units were required as a result of the Zoning Ordinance. Having no further requests to speak, Mayor Della Sala closed public comments. On a motion by Chair Della Sala, seconded by Director Sollecito, and carried by the following vote, the Redevelopment Agency approved the amendments to the Enforceable Obligation Payment Schedule: AYES: 5 DIRECTORS: Downey, Haferman, Selfridge, Sollecito, Della Sala NOES: 0 DIRECTORS: None ABSENT: 0 DIRECTORS: None ABSTAIN: 0 DIRECTORS: None RECUSED: 0 DIRECTORS: None 3. Authorizing the Mayor to Sign the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement to Form the Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority and Appropriating Funds for JPA Startup Expenses; and Appointing a Primary and Alternate Representative to the JPA – Continued from January 17, 2012 Meeting (City Manager - 706-04) 3 City Council Minutes Wednesday, January 25, 2012 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 12-014 C.S. and authorized the Mayor to sign the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement to form the Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority and appropriating funds for JPA startup expenses, recommending consideration by the JPA of matters regarding the formation of a TAC and regarding executive management at the initial meeting, and asking for a response to this plan as soon as possible from the JPA (4-1; Selfridge voting no); adopted Resolution No. 12-015 C.S. appointing Mayor Della Sala as the Primary and Councilmember Downey as the Alternate Representatives to the JPA Mayor Della Sala reported on the six Peninsula Mayors' January 23 meeting where the Council's concerns regarding a JPA were addressed. He reviewed the City of Carmel's recent decision on this matter. He reported on a new deadline that an administrative law judge gave to CalAm to find a new water supply. Councilmember Downey said that three of the other City Councils that have joined the JPA did so at a second meeting on the topic. She said that she was disappointed when this item came back because she does not believe that the mayors group has made decisions. Mayor Della Sala opened the floor for public comments. Nelson Vega, member of MCPOA, said that MCPOA voted to be neutral on this issue. He said that this matter has the appearance of being rushed, and he asked Council to pay attention to transparency. He supported moving on with the JPA. Tom Rowley said that this is not a new idea and it was proposed by Senator McPherson approximately ten years ago to replace the Water Management District. He said that tonight's meeting was noticed in the Herald. He applauded the mayors for getting this proposal together and said that Monterey needs to be part of it. Ron Weitzman, Water Plus, said that his organization would heartily approve the formation of the JPA if the proposal is for a public agency to develop a desal plant, but not if CalAm is going to build it. He said he would like the community to go forward on this matter. Bill Hood said that after hearing Mayor Della Sala's statements tonight, he is willing to see this JPA move forward, however he has concerns that a JPA is complicated to get started. He suggested a MOU or letter of intent on how the organization will move forward. George Riley submitted a letter from the League of Women Voters urging Council to delay a decision and a letter from Dale Heckhouse asking for a delay, and said that he is concerned about the perception because the mayors' meetings have had a lack of participation. Having no further requests to speak, Mayor Della Sala closed public comment on the item. Councilmember Downey moved to continue the item, and the motion died for lack of a second. Councilmember Sollecito said that he believes the City must move forward in order to get a water supply. Councilmember Selfridge said that she is disappointed in the process and believes the JPA should have been done differently and brought to the public before it was brought to the City Councils. Mayor Della Sala noted going to the Councils does bring the matter before the public, and it is important to consider the end result rather than being upset with the process. Councilmember Downey reviewed her motion from the last meeting, saying that the points have not yet been adequately addressed. She proposed that the first agenda for the new JPA include consideration for the formation of a TAC that would be directed to draft a white paper outlining options for initial focus of the JPA. Ms. Downey said that the JPA should have a dedicated Executive Director, but initially have a temporary three member management team made up by general managers of MPWMD and MRWPCA and a city manager. She said that she would 4 City Council Minutes Wednesday, January 25, 2012 support a JPA with these caveats. It was moved by Councilmember Downey to adopt Resolution No. 12-014 C.S. to authorize the Mayor to sign the Joint Exercise of Powers agreement to form the Monterey Peninsula Regional Water Authority and to appropriate funds for the JPA startup expenses, recommending that at their first meeting the new JPA would consider: 1) consideration for formation of a TAC to pull together a white paper by March 2 outlining options for the initial focus of the JPA, and 2) consideration of hiring a dedicated Executive Director, while having an interim three-member management team that would include General Managers of MPWMD and MRWPCA and a City Manager, and asking for a response to this plan as soon as possible from the JPA. Councilmember Haferman said that he would offer a second if the recommendations are brought forward to be considered by the JPA. Councilmember Downey said that she believes these recommendations do not have to be considered by all cities, but the JPA needs to move forward in this manner. Councilmember Sollecito seconded the motion, with the understanding that the recommendations cannot be forced on another agency. Ms. Downey said that if they do not consider these matters, she will agendize an item to withdraw from the JPA. Councilmember Selfridge said that she is not going to support the motion because she is not happy with the process and we should have had a JPA years ago. Councilmember Haferman said that he will support the motion because his questions were answered tonight. He asked what will happen if CalAm, MPWMD and the JPA start marching in different directions. City Manager Meurer said that MPWMD has a funding stream to create a bond, but the JPA does not at this time. However, the intent of the JPA is to have a transparent vehicle for the public to have a voice. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: 4 COUNCILMEMBERS: Downey, Haferman, Sollecito, Della Sala NOES: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Selfridge ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None Councilmember Downey said that she had concerns that she was not consulted as the Vice Mayor before this was agendized. On a motion by Mayor Della Sala, seconded by Councilmember Selfridge, and carried by the following vote, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 12-015 C.S. and appointed the Mayor is the JPA Representative and Councilmember Libby Downey is the Alternate: 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 5 City Council Minutes Wednesday, January 25, 2012 ADJOURNMENT Having no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Della Sala adjourned the meeting at 9:38 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Bonnie Gawf Chuck Della Sala Information Resources Director/City Clerk Mayor 6