City Council Minutes
February 1, 1999

REDWOOD CITY CITY COUNCIL

MAYOR  DIANE HOWARD
VICE MAYOR  IRA RUSKIN

 COUNCILMEMBER RICHARD S. CLAIRE
COUNCILMEMBER JIM HARTNETT
COUNCILMEMBER JEFF IRA
COUNCILMEMBER COLLEEN JORDAN
COUNCILMEMBER MATT LEIPZIG

CITY COUNCIL
STUDY SESSION
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
7:00 P.M.
FEBRUARY 1, 1999

CALL TO ORDER - 7:07 p.m., Mayor Howard presiding

ROLL CALL

Council Members Present - Claire, Hartnett, Ira, Jordan, Leipzig, Vice-Mayor Ruskin and Mayor Howard

Staff Members Present - City Manager Everett, Interim City Clerk McKay, City Attorney Schricker, Public Works Director Ingram, Community Development Director/Assistant City Manager Nelson, Community Development Services Manager Patterson, and Public Works Superintendent Mann.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Led by Vice Mayor Ruskin

1. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS

Roland Giannini, 3727 Country Club Drive, questioned Port of Redwood City operating as separate from Redwood City, noting only 40% of Port revenue is derived from Port traffic, and whether the Port is being used for the highest and best use where more revenue could be derived by Redwood City. He expressed concern over environmental issues in this area.

Ralph Nobles, 3729 Country Club Drive, spoke in favor of Port operations as it is a historic port noting there are only four deep water ports in this bay and each one is important to the Bay Area. He stated that the port is important for freight shipments not received by truck and rail, such as construction materials like sand and gravel are better brought by ships than trucks on our highways. He cited the importance of having a National emergency port near us and how millions of dollars of dredging has occurred to keep our water channels deep and clear.

Pete Hughes, 18 Admiralty Drive, noted he has heard the same arguments for and against the separate operations of the Port of Redwood City and suggested a study be done to see if the Port operations are being fully utilized with full benefit to Redwood City.

2. CONSENT CALENDAR

M/S Leipzig/Ruskin to waive the reading of the Consent Calendar and approved as follows:

1. Approved the Council minutes of January 23, 1999 Regular Adjourned Meeting, January 25, 1999 Special, and the January 25, 1999 Regular meeting (301) MINUTE ORDER 99-015
2. Accepted the Downtown Street Lighting Project as Final and Authorize the Release of Bonds (Richard A. Heaps) (304) MINUTE ORDER 99-016
3. Appointed William Tott to the third step Building Inspector position, effective January 28, 1999 (902) MINUTE ORDER 99-017
4. Resolution 13548 of Intention to Vacate a Portion of Manzanita Street and Heller Street; Reserve a Public Service Easement over a Portion of the Vacated Area and Set February 22, 1999 for Public Hearing (606)
5. Resolution 13549 Approving and Authorizing Execution of Agreement for a Sewer Rate Study with Hilton, Farnkopf & Hobson, Not to Exceed $46,450 (304)
6. Approved warrants and usual and necessary payments through February 8, 1999

The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote.

URGENCY ITEM OF BUSINESS ADDED

City Attorney Schricker announced a matter of urgent Council Business arose after the close of agenda and recommended it be added to the end of the agenda tonight to consider the Interim City Clerk contract as it expires tonight and a motion needing a 4/5 vote to place this matter on the agenda needs to occur first.

M/S Claire/Hartnett to add this urgency item of business to this agenda as a Closed Session after Item 4c. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. MINUTE ORDER 99-018

3. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS - None.

4. STUDY SESSIONS - Mayor Howard introduced the Dr. Cecil Reeves who will be the facilitator tonight.

1. Building Review Board
   
   Building Review Board Members Present: John Murphy, Craig Centis, and Keith Bautista
   
   Discussion ensued regarding the Board's role to review amendments to the City Code and Uniform Building Codes, and review building department decisions as an appeals board. Issues and concerns listed were; current vacancy of one and upcoming review of code in April with recommendation coming in July. It was noted that further support of this board could further utilize the talents and expertise of members, expand scope of this committee, focus on health and safety matters possibly with Chair working with code review process in health and safety area; and help analyze the issue of enforceability and make recommendations as to best process.
   
   It was the consensus of Council to use this committee to assist with code review process with emphasis in health and safety.



2. Pride and Beautification Committee
   
   Pride and Beautification Committee Members Present - Jean Roehm, Paul Vega, Renee White, Bob Hoffman, Marilee Robinson, G.J. Scove, Mike Marsano, Gordan Mann, and Louis Vella
   
   A handout was distributed listing the committee's status of current projects and the proposed projects for 1999 of the Aqua Terra Program, Interfaith Project, Spring Clean-up, Tree Planting, Bicycle Access to Bair Island Road, and Web Site Update. Issues and concerns noted were; enforcement of laws in place, money in Police department for Police enforcement, put out more trash cans to help keep the City cleaner where cost could be sponsored by local business who may "sponsor a trash can" and work with Public Works and BFI on this matter, keep promoting and teaching school children, enlist neighborhood associations help, focus on maintenance factors after a problem as been remedied or a program completed, need of a Terra Project boat for police work and research finding from industry to supplement the Police budget for enforcement, suggested researching what New York City did recently to clean itself up, enforce apartment areas and encourage renters to cleanup and keep areas clean, develop mitigation for on-street parking which prevents street cleaning by Public Works, education of community through High School students who commit to civic duty and special events, and suggested getting the school district involved.
   
   The Council expressed their appreciation for this effective committee's efforts and noted the informal composition of the committee helps keep busy efficient people involved.
   
   Recess at 8:15 p.m. then reconvened at 8:20 p.m.



3. Port Commission
   
   Board of Port Commissioners present: Lewis Miller, Richard Dodge, Larry Aikins, John Castle, and Guy Smith.
   
   Port staff presented a slide presentation outlining 1998 projects and accomplishments and distributed handouts recapping the Port of Redwood City 1998 highlights regarding Blue Ribbon Task Force, Aqua Terra Project, removal of abandoned boats, Pacific Shores Center construction to commence soon, extension of Seaport Blvd., 10 acre parcel for expansion, 120,000 tons of cement imported through Port, dredging to 34 feet, award of $2.5M Federal dredging project, $10.2 M cleanup of LBT in 12-18 months, generate $400-700K revenue, new restaurant, Seaport Conference Center beautification award, 150,000 sq. ft. office building, additional dry boat storage, 6 acre site development, port usage up 669% in past 10 years, refinancing created increase to budget and subvention.
   
   The City Attorney stated this presentation to Council of the Port of Redwood City annual report is required by Section 47G of the Redwood City Charter and complies with this requirement.
   
   Discussion ensued outlining issues and concerns regarding current environmental cleanup efforts, whether lease amounts are set at market rates and what indicators are used to establish them and if a study is being done or planned where CPI or current market values would be best, tonnage increase during current construction boom and the need to address 5 year planning for increasing revenues, the current bond rating of BBB, current site cleanup prior to diversification of facilities, $700K annual cost to service bond, $202,000 annual revenue paid to Redwood City stability, net income prior to debt service $1.2M, increase in shipping, increased waste violation enforcement's, and construction material boom coming into Port due to its accessibility and other three ports specialization in other areas.
   
   Future of the Port was discussed pertaining to lease revenue loss, past and ongoing studies of the Port, authorize planning document for Bay Area for priority uses, suggested a land use study as to whether this is the best use, safe soil issues as to whether testing has occurred with remedy and source discovery, possible zoning changes, feasibility of residential compatible with present business.
   
   Support from Council was requested for ferry service to and from San Francisco and across the bay with necessary feeder lines, assistance to attract federal funds.
   
   Council expressed concern regarding insufficient revenue from Port to Redwood City suggesting a higher return, discussed subvention to City is 10% of revenues and reserves and profits of Port operations, questioned how are the Port's reserves set, the asset base increased by $11.85 million, Port/City agreement and how reserves are going back to City from reserves and when, what could slow or speed up this time frame, whether profits could be distributed during this time, projection of revenue in 5 and 10 years, suggested another meeting or a sub-committee meeting to address these questions form Council, and Council recommended a reserve policy, number of components and justifications, intangible benefits of the Port.
   
   Dr. Reeves facilitated a summarization of Council and the Port Board noting the need for more information and details of the future of the Port and how those conclusions are developed, revenue generation amounts in future and their security, list of Port intangible benefits, future envisioning process for Port Operations and whether that direction is in the best interest for all of Redwood City, more subvention is needed, general plan review of land use for Port, and whether autonomous operation of Port as outlined in Charter is in the best interest for the City.
   
   It was the consensus of the Board and Council to have the Port Board Finance Committee, Council Finance Committee and Council Member Hartnett meet no later than February 21, 1999 to discuss the mentioned concerns and issues and then discuss how the Port Board can address Council's questions at that time.

CLOSED SESSION

1. Closed Session Conference with Legal Counsel as per Government Code Section 54957 Regarding Public Employee Interim City Clerk Contract Expiration
   
   Council entered Council session 10:00 p.m. Council Member Leipzig absent.
   
   Council came out of Closed Session 10:50 p.m. and the City Attorney announced no action was taken.

The City Attorney announced that no action was taken but direction was provided to the respective agency attorneys.

ADJOURNMENT - 10:51 P.M.

M/S Hartnett/Ruskin to adjourn in memory of Diane Chandler devoted wife of past Council Member Gerald Chandler. Motion passed by unanimous voice vote.

Respectfully Submitted,

 

___________________________

Cathleen A. McKay CMC/AAE

Interim City Clerk

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