REDWOOD CITY CITY COUNCIL

MAYOR  DIANE HOWARD
VICE MAYOR  IRA RUSKIN

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

CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE ROOM 2B
CITY HALL

May 24, 1999

CALL TO ORDER - 6:00 p.m., Mayor Howard Presiding

ROLL CALL

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

Council Members Absent: None

Staff Present: City Manager Everett

1. PUBLIC COMMENT - None

2. SUBJECT

A. Conference with City Manager (annual evaluation) according to Government Code Section 54957 was held.

3. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION - 7:29 p.m.

4. REPORT OF ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION, IF ANY - None

5. ADJOURNMENT

After motion duly made, seconded and carried, the meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

Ed Everett
City Manager

REGULAR MEETING
7:30 P.M.
May 24, 1999

CALL TO ORDER - 7:30 p.m., Vice Mayor Ruskin presiding

ROLL CALL

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

Staff Present: City Manager Everett, City Attorney Schricker, City Clerk Howe, Police Chief Bolanos, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Griffiths, Finance Director Ponty, Public Works Services Director Ingram, Community Development Director Nelson, Engineering and Construction Manager Patterson, City Engineer Haygood, Civil Engineer Chang, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Superintendent Hover, Executive Assistant Valentine, Officer Daniel Smith and Council Volunteer Balsamo.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Led by Council Member Ira

INVOCATION: Pastor Steve Tiebout, New Hope Community Church

1. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None

2. CONSENT CALENDAR

Council Member Jordan requested Item E. be removed from the Consent Calendar.

M/S Ira/Hartnett to approve consent calendar; read title of ordinances and waive reading the titles of all resolutions; adopt the resolutions and the ordinance and approve other items.

A. Approve the Minutes of the regular meeting of May 17, 1999 as submitted;

MINUTE ORDER 99-076

B. Approve the appointment of Jonas Palmer to the position of Facility Aide at the Red Morton Community Center at Step 2 in the salary range effective May 25, 1999;

MINUTE ORDER 99-077

C. RESOLUTION 13638 APPROVING CONTRACT DOCUMENTS FOR THE MAIN LIBRARY RE-CARPETING PROJECT; AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS THEREFOR; (304)

D. RESOLUTION 13639 RESOLUTION 13639 APPROVING CONTRACT DOCUMENTS FOR REDWOOD SHORES LEVEE IMPROVEMENTS SEGMENT 8; AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS THEREFOR; (304)

F. RESOLUTION 13640 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT GRANTING ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, INSTALLATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF FIBER OPTIC CABLES AND RELATED FACILITIES WITHIN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY (NEXTLINK CALIFORNIA, INC.); (304)

G. ORDINANCE 2159 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF FOURTH AMENDMENT TO FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WITH BROWNING-FERRIS INDUSTRIES OF CALIFORNIA, INC., FOR SOLID WASTE COLLECTION SERVICES (1st reading on 5/10/99); (301)

H. Approve warrants dated through May 24, 1999 and usual and necessary payments through June 7, 1999;

APPROVED

The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote, with Council Member Jordan and Mayor Howard abstaining on Item A.

E. RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF JOINT EXERCISE OF POWERS AGREEMENT CONTINUING ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CITY/COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS

Council Member Jordan requested explanation from Council Member Hartnett, C/CAG representative, on various points such as the evaluation process for C/CAG; questioned lack of adequate information provided regarding overview; asked about alternatives; what was cities' process prior to the JPA and how and why the budget gets utilized.

Council Member Hartnett explained the evaluation/agreement and role of C/CAG; alternative is to not participate in the organization; the City would lose voice in direction of State and Federal transportation funds; various other programs involved such as vehicle abatement reimbursement. C/CAG evolved as a result of changes in State and Federal law; examples of use would be one permit obtained through C/CAG rather than individual cities at higher cost for transportation funding State mandates.

M/S Hartnett/Claire to adopt Resolution 13641 approving and authorizing execution of Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement continuing establishment of the City/County Association of Governments. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote. (304)

3. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY - None

4. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS

Naming of Council Chamber after former City Manager Jim Smith

Former Mayor Jack Granalch requested the City Council give serious consideration to this request and urged Council to make their political decision on the matter.

Former Mayor Georgi LaBerge asked that Council consider other options for naming after former City Manager Jim Smith such as the outdoor plaza fountain area or upstairs art gallery area.

Former Mayor Bob Bury supported the naming of the Council Chamber after former City Manager Jim Smith and commented on his presence throughout the community.

Nita Spangler supported former Mayor Bury's comments.

Dan Smith extended the family's appreciation to the City Council for it's consideration.

Council comments included this subject not being a political decision, that dedication of Council Chamber should be to the citizens, that the building is the people's and public input should be sought, suggestion to name a fountain instead, taking time to honor the past, positive comments about Mr. Smith and it being appropriate to recognize part of the building in Mr. Smith's memory.

M/S Claire/Hartnett to name the Council Chamber after former City Manager Jim Smith. The motion passed by a majority roll call vote with Council Members Ira, Jordan and Leipzig voting no. (205)

MINUTE ORDER NO. 99-078

5. BOARDS, COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

Report to the City Council on Council Committees

Council Member Hartnett gave background on the Council Committees referring to the lengthy written report.

M/S Claire/Ira motion to approve the recommendations of the Committee on Committees to eliminate themselves and make all the other suggested changes. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. (210)

MINUTE ORDER NO. 99-079

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS- None

7. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS/REPORTS

Vice Mayor Ruskin referred to the Utility User's Tax issue previously brought up and whether it was a tax to continue at it's present status or reduce it and if so, how much. Asked the Finance Committee if the subject could be brought back for discussion.

The Committee Members indicated they would respond back with a tentative date to discuss.

8. STAFF REPORTS

A. Request for Speed Humps on Edgewood Road

8:45 p.m. - Council Member Hartnett left the dais after excusing himself from the subject due to relatives who are clients and live in the area of Blandford, possibly within the 300 foot limit, creating a conflict in voting.

Dan Smith presented the proposal with slides to place 4 speed humps on Edgewood Road between Melrose Place and Alameda de las Pulgas. It is a 2,200 foot section of street. The City received three letters from residents in this area over the last 18 months requesting speed humps in this area. Subsequently a petition supporting speed humps with signatures from 26 homes was received and conforms to City policy requiring a 60% approval of the section where speed humps are proposed. Staff performed an eligibility test that qualified, it is designated a local street in the General Plan, it meets physical criteria such as grade, no on a primary or secondary fire route and does have a speed problem. Explained speed hump criteria and what speed humps do. Outlined the process and indicated staff is aware of significant concern for the proposal.

Rich Haygood gave an update on the report, appreciated concern with diversion, expressed doubt that it would effect others, but prepared to take direction from Council.

Council Members comments included whether there is a concern with volume as well as speed, asked how an engineer defines a residential street, requested clarification of Red Oaks comparison, asked about October 1998 meeting with Oak Knoll Edgewood Park Neighborhood Association recommendations, whether data was acquired from other cities. Various questions about the policy were asked, inquired about report on photo red light and any other technology, increased signage or novelty signs library, higher fines for speeders in particular areas.

Police Chief Bolanos described typical traffic enforcement schedules and comparison to speed hump placement. Indicated his report back to Council would include photo red light, photo radar and feasibility of higher fines in specific areas.

Public Comment:

Steve Blake felt Edgewood Road is a wide street and feeds a main thoroughfare. He recommends speed humps.

Michael Verdone, Chair Person of Edgewood Neighborhood Committee spoke in regard to homeowner association meetings indicating the concern is speed, concerned with neighborhood as a whole, need for more enforcement, stop sign on Edgewood Road by Melrose, directional sign at Melrose and Blandford, directional signs by Alameda and Edgewood Road, greater police presence. Mixed straw vote at meeting expressed concern with humps being permanent and would cause diversion to the other streets.

Allison Rouse felt speed problem goes beyond commute hours and supports the idea of speed humps.

Ross Hotchkiss was in favor of speed humps.

Former Mayor Brent Britschgi indicated speed not volume is problem and that Edgewood Road is a direct feeder to Highway 280. Increased volume could be alleviated if San Carlos would open Brittan Avenue to Highway 280. Asked for another solution, possibly a more general coverage of enforcement rather than a saturation

David Stewart read a letter indicating opposition to speed hump proposal and instead support for concurrence with the Edgewood Park Neighborhood Association which rejected a motion to support the installation of speed humps on Edgewood Road. As an alternative, if Redwood City Council votes to install the humps, that the corners of Blandford/Turnsworth and Blandford/Woodsworth be changed from two-way to four-way stops to discourage the transfer of traffic from Edgewood Road to Blandford Boulevard.

Joe Fragola did not support speed humps and asked for measures for stop sign at Edgewood Road and Melrose.

Leslie Loomis does not agree with speed humps and pitting the residents against each other.

Rod Sockolov expressed frustration regarding notification and does not support speed humps.

Dr. John Nelligan felt that Whipple Avenue is tremendously affected.

Nita R. Spangler said there were several meetings with no official vote, thanked engineers for their bringing information and asked that all concerns be considered.

John Williams made points about prior preparation for meetings, urged working toward a collective solution, concerned about residential street designation, concerned that this is only a microcosm of a larger problem and should be dealt with as a more global problem working with neighboring communities.

Public Comment Complete

Council discussion included need for police enforcement statistics and a concerted effort toward enforcement, coordinated effort between Engineering Division and Police Department for solutions for the entire city, agreement and disagreement on speed humps, need for clarification on photo radar issue, dialogue with San Carlos on Brittan Avenue, zero tolerance and higher fines application, desire for neighborhood group collaboration prior to Council decision, diversion is the issue

Mayor Howard entered letters into the record from residents outside of Edgewood Park who support the speed hump plan for their neighborhoods as well.

M/S Leipzig/Jordan not approve the resolution and refer back to staff for additional information to look at other types of solutions such as working with a traffic committee and the residents of the neighborhood. Vote motion: Ayes: Council Members Claire, Jordan and Leipzig. Noes: Council Member Ira, Vice Mayor Ruskin and Mayor Howard. Abstain: Council Member Hartnett. The motion failed.

M/S Claire/Leipzig to postpone the resolution and refer to an ad hoc committee to look at this issue, specifically, and work with staff to address the issues brought forward; bring the recommendation back to Council no later than September 30, and its impacts while involving neighbors in surrounding streets. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote with Council Member Hartnett abstaining.

MINUTE ORDER NO. 99-080

10:59 p.m. - Council Member Hartnett returned to the dais

M/S Leipzig/Ruskin to postpose the remaining items on the agenda and adjourn the meeting. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

MINUTE ORDER NO. 99-081

Mr. Murphy prepared to speak on item 8B mentioned the need to inform the residents of such items as the Utility Users' Tax.

B. 1998/99 and 1999/2000 Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and 10-Year CIP.

This item will be scheduled for a future meeting.

C. New Solid Waste Diversion Programs.

This item will be scheduled for a future meeting.

9. CLOSED SESSION - None

10. ADJOURNMENT - 11:00 p.m. in the memory of Shirley Anita LaTorra, mother of Building and Inspection Manager, John LaTorra.

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia S. Howe, CMC
City Clerk

Copyright © 1999. The City of Redwood City. All rights reserved.