Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting

CITY OF MONTEREY NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM COMMITTEE “First Preliminary Screening” Meeting February 10, 2011 Council Chambers, Few Memorial Hall Minutes CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. ROLL CALL Thirteen neighborhoods were represented: Aguajito Oaks Rep. Olivia Morgan Alta Mesa Rep. Rick Heuer Casanova Oak Knoll Rep. Richard Ruccello Deer Flats Rep. Janine Robinette Del Monte Beach Rep. Jayme Fields Del Monte Grove-Laguna Grande Rep. Merrily Alley Fisherman’s Flats Rep. Hansen Reed Alt. Tom Rowley Monterey Vista Rep. Hans Jannasch New Monterey Rep. Sharon Dwight Oak Grove Rep. Tom DiMaggio Alt. Maxwell Green Old Town Rep. April Harrison Alt. Mary Ann Finocchi Skyline Forest Rep. Dennis Duke Skyline Ridge Rep. Carol Lieberman One neighborhood was not represented: Villa Del Monte Staff Present: Tom Reeves, Doug Stafford, Sharon Rodrigues, Scott Connolly, Kim Allen CONSENT ITEMS APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. January 27, 2011 Sharon Dwight made a motion to approve the January 27, 2011 minutes as submitted. Hansen Reed seconded the motion. The motion was approved by all Representatives, with Villa Del Monte absent. ***End of Consent Agenda*** PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Reeves opened Public Comments. Having no requests to speak, Mr. Reeves closed Public Comments. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 2. Purpose and Process of Screening Meeting Mr. Reeves read page 15, Section V.C., from the NIP Policies and Procedures Manual describing the Preliminary Screening meeting process. He reminded the Committee that formal project nominations are due to staff by the Preliminary Screening meeting each year NIP Committee Final Minutes February 10, 2011 1  and that only the submitter can withdraw the project. Sharon Dwight confirmed that Representatives should contact Traffic Engineering for advice on an alternate course of action for a project scope rather than the proponent of the project. She also said that if a project is valid and the contact name is on the form, then the project remains on the list even if the submitter has moved. Hansen Reed reminded everyone that this meeting is strictly for determining criteria of projects, not for promoting projects. 3. Project Status Report – Refer to NIP project page on City web site or http://www.monterey.org/projects/pdf/Master_Project_List.pdf Mr. Reeves reminded the Committee to contact Brian McMinn regarding any questions they may have on projects in their respective neighborhoods. NIP INFORMATIONAL REPORTS 4. NIP Spokesperson’s Report NIP Spokesperson Rick Heuer stated that he had nothing to report. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 5. Discussion of February 15, 2010 City Council Direction Mr. Reeves and the Committee discussed the staff report for the February 15, 2010 Council meeting. Rick Heuer said at the December Boards and Commission meeting he asked that before Council gives the Committee direction that the Committee have the opportunity to review it with Council. He said that the issue is more than just what defines the scope of essential maintenance for approving projects this year. He questioned why additional criteria is being imposed on NIP again this year, and said that Council saying in advance that certain types of projects are being vetoed goes against the concept of what NIP and the charter is about. Mr. Heuer asked the Committee for an open discussion at this meeting so that the NIP Spokesperson will be able to take the will of the Committee to Council. It was determined that Richard Ruccello, Alternate Spokesperson, would attend the February 15 Council meeting. The Committee expressed their ongoing concerns regarding the criteria being placed upon them by Council, the lack of continuity of the definition of essential maintenance and public health and safety, and how to apply the criteria to the review of the projects this year. They also objected to the number of projects Council, at their January 4 meeting, directed staff to submit to NIP this year. Sharon Dwight asked that Council remove most of those 26 projects from the NIP project list. Jayme Fields said that in the past Council has picked one or two of their priorities from the list of projects the Committee has received from the residents, but this year Council is giving NIP their own list of projects to approve. She said that NIP does not normally take care of projects such as storm drain repair, and Sharon Dwight reminded everyone that the intent of NIP is for projects in the neighborhoods, not for major citywide capital projects. The Committee further discussed what constitutes a capital project for NIP, what is considered maintenance, and how to apply those determinations to the projects this year. Merrily Alley said the dictionary definition of capital expenditures is for the funding of additions and improvements, not maintenance. Mr. Reeves clarified that the federal definition of capital projects relates to dollar amounts, not the nature of the project. He said capital improvements can include maintenance related projects, such as replacing playground equipment and restorative projects such as renovating parks and painting of park equipment. Richard Ruccello advised everyone of the small amount of funding that would be available after selecting the Council priorities. Hansen Reed said if the budget is so desperate he would prefer that Council take the money with their 4/5’s vote rather than the Committee NIP Committee Final Minutes February 10, 2011 2  spending time reviewing projects that will not be approved. Janine Robinette and several others concurred. Sharon Dwight reminded everyone that the public perception is that the City is conducting business as usual, and that community members that have spoken to her want NIP to go forward with the neighborhood projects as in the past. Richard Ruccello asked that the Committee members submit letters expressing their concerns to Council. He also asked staff to relay the Committee’s concerns in staff’s presentation to Council. 6. Project Screening (Aguajito Oaks through Oak Grove Neighborhoods) The Committee went through the project nominations, clarified information, and determined which projects are not valid. (Projects listed in italics are those that have been modified or pulled from the active list.) Alta Mesa AM-01 Del Monte Ctr Sound Wall – Valid project, but staff to do further research on easements AM-02 Via Mirada Traffic Calming & Parking – Rick Heuer advised that the project has been completed. AM-04 Via Mirada Relocation of Pavement Markers – Project may be pulled from active NIP list after further study by Traffic Division. Casanova Oak Knoll COK-05 Melway Traffic Signs – Staff to research, if signs are to be replaced as routine maintenance, pull project from active NIP list. Del Monte Beach DMB-01 Spray Ave Lighted Crosswalk Warning System in Front of Tot Lot – Jayme has submitted a revised project nomination, 3/31 project list updated. DMB-04 Dunecrest Install Sidewalk & Posts – Jayme Fields has contacted submitter and submitted two separate projects with revised scope: DMB-04 Casa Verde Rec Trail Crossing DMB-05 Beach/Dunecrest Slow Traffic Device Del Monte Grove – Laguna Grande DMG-03 English Radar Speed Sign – Merrily Alley to meet with Traffic Engineer for further study, project may be pulled from active NIP list. DMG-04 English/Grand 4-way Stop Sign – Merrily Alley to meet with Traffic Engineer for further study, project may be pulled from active NIP list. Downtown DT-01 Cortes/Church St Underground Utilities – Tom to contact submitter regarding underground process DT-02 Pearl/Anthony/Robinson 500 Blk Undergrounding – Tom to contact submitter regarding underground process DT-03 Cortes/Pearl Sidewalk Repair – Tom to research specific location, physical use of property (zoned commercial, but is specific location abutting residential homes?) Fisherman’s Flats FF-01 Marsala Circle Paving – Hansen Reed stated that the project has been completed. NIP Committee Final Minutes February 10, 2011 3 Glenwood Circle The Committee said the following projects should be Glenwood Circle not Citywide. Staff will renumber the projects: CW-47 Glenwood Retaining Wall CW-71 Glenwood Cir MPC Baseball Field Trash Cans CW-74 Glenwood Cir LED Pedestrian Caution Sign Monterey Vista MV-01 Sierra Vista Underground Utilities – Hans Jannasch stated he would combine MV-01, MV-06 and MV-25 and revise as Monterey Vista Underground Utilities Study. MV-03 Martin Street Repair – Hans Jannasch stated that MV-05 was combined with MV- 03. MV-04 Soledad Pl/Soledad Dr Traffic Calming – Hans Jannasch to consult Traffic Engineer to redefine scope. MV-07 Via Encina/Via Descanso Intersection Lighting – Staff to verify if a street light is warranted at this location. MV-11 Crandall Road Beautification – Per Hans Jannasch, submitter agrees to tree trimming to complete project, which will be routine maintenance by City staff per Doug Stafford. Pull project from active NIP list. MV-13 Soledad Dr/Mar Vista Dr Straighten Intersection – Project has been completed per Rep and staff. MV-14 80 Cuesta Vista Pavement Extension/Tree Trimming – Remove tree-trimming from scope per Doug Stafford and Hans Jannasch, revise title to read 80 Cuesta Vista Pavement Extension. MV-15 Linda Vista Drive Erosion Control – Determine if this project is property owner’s responsibility. MV-16 Via Chiquita Drainage – Hans Jannasch said he would submit a separate nomination for Via Del Rey sidewalk installation. MV-17 Carmelo Bus Stop – Explore the possibility of MST having enough ridership to fund this project. MV-31 Via Paraiso Park Small Play Equipment Replacement – Doug Stafford as submitter withdrew the project. MV-32 Mar Vista/Via Gayuba Traffic Speed Control – Hans Jannasch to revise scope to match traffic calming plan. MV-33 Soledad Dr Speed Control – Per Hans Jannasch the project has been completed. MV-34 Monte Vista School Trail – Staff confirmed that the project is on school property and will need school district support to proceed. MV-35 Cielo Vista Speed Control – Hans Jannasch to consult Traffic Engineer to discuss possible changes to scope of project. Project may be pulled MV-37 Soledad/Mar Vista Connect Storm Drain Pipe – Staff to contact property owners regarding obtaining necessary easements. MV-38 Pacific at Martin/Alameda/San Bernabe/Via Esperanza Guardrails/Fences – Routine maintenance per Doug Stafford, referred to Streets. MV-39 581/589 Mar Vista Storm Drain – Routine maintenance per Doug Stafford, referred to Streets. MV-40 14 Loma Vista Pl Pothole – Routine maintenance per Doug Stafford, referred to Streets. MV-41 261 Mar Vista Fire Hydrant/Drainage – Doug Stafford to check if project can be completed by staff. NIP Committee Final Minutes February 10, 2011 4  New Monterey NM-05 Dickman Ave Repaving btwn Foam/Lighthouse – Staff to verify status of project, if completed will be pulled from active NIP list NM-14 Hilltop Park Tennis Court – Project has been completed. NM-18 Spencer 200/300 Underground Utilities – per Sharon Dwight project is part of NM Underground Utilities that is already funded. NM-19 Lottie St 700 Blk Drainage West Side – Sharon Dwight advised that the street may have been repaired: if so the project will be pulled from the active NIP list. NM-25 Hawthorne/POM Pedestrian & Bike Access – Confirm if project is for construction and if funding with matching grants is available or in place. NM-27 New Monterey Trip Hazards – Address corrected from 615 to 625 Pine. The trip hazard at 615 Pine is not caused by a City tree and is the property owner’s responsibility. Sharon Dwight advised that if there is city funding for trip hazards, the project may be pulled NM-31 Prescott/Jessie Sidewalk Improvement/Add Crosswalk at David/Jessie – per Sharon Dwight project is a duplicate of the Prescott Sidewalk project previously approved. Oak Grove OG-01 Park St Railroad Crossing Paving Repair – Project has been completed. OG-02 Sloat Ave/5th St Lighted Crosswalk Warning System – Tom DiMaggio to meet with Traffic Engineer to further research the project scope. OG-04 1187 5th St Relocate Utility Pole in Driveway – Staff will contact PG&E for information. OG-07 Park/Ocean Traffic Calming Element – Tom DiMaggio to further research the project scope COMMITTEE MEMBERS COMMENTS Rick Heuer (Alta Mesa) suggested that the NIP Policies and Procedures Manual Subcommittee look at how to define the nomenclature of city projects versus neighborhood projects during their next review of the manual. Richard Ruccello (Casanova Oak Knoll) reminded the Committee of the upcoming Wine and Chocolate funding event held by the Library on February 18. Carol Lieberman (Skyline Ridge) confirmed that the Library fundraiser is a wonderful event. She said she hoped that the NIP Committee does not go forward without clarification from Council and that she does not want the NIP Committee to do all the work and then have Council throw out all the projects NIP recommends to them later. Janine Robinette (Deer Flats) had no comment. Hans Jannasch (Monterey Vista) had no comment. Tom DiMaggio (Oak Grove) had no comment. Sharon Dwight (New Monterey) had no comment. Dennis Duke (Skyline Forest) said he agrees with Carol’s comments. Olivia Morgan (Aguajito Oaks) had no comment. NIP Committee Final Minutes February 10, 2011 5 April Harrison (Old Town) said that the review of projects at this meeting helped her understand what she will need to provide at the next screening meeting. Jayme Fields (Del Monte Beach) had no comment. Merrily Alley (Del Monte Grove – Laguna Grande) said she agrees with Carol’s comments. Hansen Reed (Fisherman’s Flats) commended Tom for his knowledge of all of the projects on the list. NEXT MEETING Mr. Reeves stated that the next meeting is the Second Preliminary Screening Meeting on February 24, 2011 in the Council Chambers at 7:00 p.m. ADJORNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m. _____________________________ ______________________________ Kim Allen Tom Reeves NIP Recording Secretary NIP Staff Coordinator NIP Committee Final Minutes February 10, 2011 6