REDWOOD CITY CITY COUNCIL
MAYOR IRA RUSKIN
VICE MAYOR RICHARD S. CLAIRE
COUNCILMEMBER JIM
HARTNETT
COUNCILMEMBER DIANE HOWARD
COUNCILMEMBER JEFF IRA
COUNCILMEMBER COLLEEN M. JORDAN
COUNCILMEMBER BARBARA PIERCE
SPECIAL MEETING
CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE ROOM 2B
6:00 P.M.
NOVEMBER 22, 1999
CALL TO ORDER - 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Council Members Present: Hartnett, Howard, Ira, Jordan, Pierce Vice Mayor Claire and Mayor Ruskin
1. PUBLIC COMMENT - None
2. SUBJECT
A. Conference with Legal Counsel. Anticipated Litigation
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (b). Number of cases: one case.
3. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION
4. REPORT OF ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION, IF ANY
5. ADJOURNMENT - 7:20 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING
7:30 P.M.
NOVEMBER 22, 1999
The City Council Meeting and Redevelopment Agency Meeting were called to order simultaneously. The Redevelopment Agency Meeting began immediately following the Council Meeting.
ROLL CALL
Council Members Present: Hartnett, Howard, Ira, Jordan, Pierce, Vice Mayor Claire and Mayor Ruskin
Staff Present: City Manager Everett, Attorney Schricker, City Clerk Howe, Senior Deputy City Clerk Ponte, Financial Services Manager Ponty, Community Development Services Director Nelson, Community Development Services Manager Patterson, Planning and Redevelopment Manager Church, Human Resources Director Rivera-Pena, Police Chief Bolanos, Sergeant Matuszak, Police Sergeant Cesena, Public Works Services Director Ingram, Senior Civil Engineer Chang, Traffic Engineer Haygood, Housing Coordinator Jones-Thomas, Volunteer Balsamo
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Led by Council Member Hartnett
INVOCATION: Rev. Charin Barone, Unity Church of Today
1. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
A. Proclamation for the Art David Basketball Shoot-Out Tournament; (207)
Mayor Ruskin read the proclamation acknowledging the Art David Annual Tournament to be held on December 4 and 5 at the Red Morton Community Center, and introduced Victor Morton, Chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Commission.2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mike O'Brien encouraged the Council to honor those memorialized in front of City Hall and expressed renewed trust in the City staff after the Idea Exchange event on Saturday, November 20.
Aaron L'Hoir spoke about intersection of Whipple Road at Veterans, traveling west crossing Veterans as markings in the lane are deceptive and need paint markings. Ceramic bumps near Bair Island Habitat need replacing. Wesley Crescent Park on the northwest quadrant of the circle coming out from Edgewood, goes double yellow to white on the left and should be double double yellow.
Coy Deal spoke regarding the hump in front of his house on the 3400 block of Hoover Street that is causing disturbance, lack of sleep and near impossibility to function properly. He spoke of the process and concern that the vote involved all rather than the residents directly affected. He read a statement made and repeated at voting site as follows: "If you vote to remove the hump on Hoover Street between 10th Avenue and Yarnell, the City will not consider putting any more bumps in and may decide not to install the remaining bumps in the area where the pipes are to be installed for flood". He felt the statement held Redwood City as a threatening ultimatum to sway the votes.
Hillary Paulson along with Susie Peyton, Co-Chairs of Stafford/Stulsaft Park Association, spoke about Item 3D coming in under budget and reminded Council that Stafford and Stulsaft were originally one project and asked that the remainder money in the one budget be turned over to the Stulsaft budget.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
Items on the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion and one vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Council Member or Citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the consent and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.. Note: Item D - Accept the Stafford Park Play Area Renovation Project, and authorize the release of bonds; (AV&C Construction) was removed from the Consent Calendar because of certain investigatory procedures relevant to the project and will be calendared on a future agenda.
M/S Ira/Howard, remove Item D, waive reading of the Consent Calendar except the ordinances by title, adopt the resolutions and the ordinances, and approve other items.A. Approve the Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Council Meeting from November 8, 1999 as submitted; (301)
MINUTE ORDER 99-148
B. Motion to accept the Edgewood/Glenloch Pump Stations Standby Generators Project, and authorize the release of bonds and retention; (S.G. Barber Construction) (304)
MINUTE ORDER 99-149
C. Motion to suspend the enforcement of parking fees at certain meters during specified periods in the downtown; (703)
MINUTE ORDER 99-150
E. RESOLUTION 13791 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE LOCKBOX SERVICE; (Wells Fargo Bank) (304)
F. RESOLUTION 13792 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT FOR INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF WATER TRANSMISSION FACILITIES WITH THE TOWN OF WOODSIDE; (304)
G. RESOLUTION 13793 AMENDING EXHIBIT A OF RESOLUTION NO. 13133, ESTABLISHING AND ADOPTING SALARY AND RELATED COMPENSATION PLANS FOR POSITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CITY OF REDWOOD CITY INCLUDED IN THE EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT CLASSIFICATIONS, TO REVISE THE SALARY SCHEDULE FOR THE POSITIONS OF POLICE CAPTAIN, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES MANAGER AND FIRE CHIEF: (905)
H. RESOLUTION 13794 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF REVOCABLE PERMIT TO REDWOOD CITY CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR USE OF CERTAIN CITY OWNED PROPERTY FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A PLAYGROUND STRUCTURE; (604)
I. RESOLUTION 13795 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE AN INFORMATION AND REFERRAL PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 1999-2000 (FAIR OAKS COMMUNITY CENTER); (County of San Mateo) (304)
J. RESOLUTION 13796 DECLARING CERTAIN DESCRIBED CITY-OWNED PROPERTY SURPLUS; AND AUTHORIZING CONVEYANCE THEREOF; (609)
K. RESOLUTION 13797 ACCEPTING BID FOR THE PURCHASE OF TWELVE (12) TRUCKS; AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF PURCHASE DOCUMENTS THEREFOR; (S & C Ford) (Purchases) (304)
L. RESOLUTION 13798 ACCEPTING BID FOR ELECTRICAL MODIFICATIONS FOR THE MAIN LIBRARY; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT FOR SAID WORK; AND DIRECTING RETURN OF SECURITY DEPOSITS; (Pacheco Utility Line Builders, Inc.) (304)
M. RESOLUTION 13799 ACCEPTING BID FOR THE MAIN LIBRARY RE-CARPETING PROJECT; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT FOR SAID WORK; AND DIRECTING RETURN OF SECURITY DEPOSITS; (Welker Bros.) (304)
N. ADOPT ORDINANCE 2183 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDWOOD CITY APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WITH BFI WASTE SYSTEMS OF NORTH AMERICA, INC., FOR SOLID WASTE, RECYCLABLE MATERIALS AND PLANT MATERIALS COLLECTION SERVICES; (1st reading November 8, 1999) (301)
MOTION ORDER 99-143
O. Reject claim, Amy Sams, Claim No.1784 as submitted; (303)
MINUTE ORDER 99-151
P. Approve warrants dated through November 22, 1999 and usual and necessary payments through December 6, 1999;
The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
4. MATTERS OF COUNCIL INTEREST
Council Member Howard announced that the City of Redwood City employees came in first place in the American Heart Association's Heart Walk held near the Hotel Soffitel.5. STAFF REPORTS
A. Speed Humps on Edgewood Road and Stop Signs on Blandford Boulevard at Woodsworth and Turnsworth Avenues;8:00 p.m. - Council Member Hartnett excused himself from the dais due to his representation of clients living in that particular area.
Police Chief Bolanos gave the background beginning on May 24, 1999 where Council received a recommendation of 4 speed humps on Edgewood Road between Melrose and Alameda de las Pulgas. Due to concerns at that time regarding traffic diversion, Council directed a task force of residents led by a delegation of the Council with staff assistance, develop a more encompassing proposal to meet the needs and concerns of the affected area. The task force was formed and met on September 21, 1999. Members of the task force were Council Members Howard and Ira, Police Chief Bolanos, former Mayor Britshgi, Robert Jenkins, Dorothy Rouse, Dave Stuart and Michael Verdone. Staff resources included Sergeant Blank, Officer Pettit, Captain Matuszak and Traffic Engineer Haygood. After considerable discussion and deliberation the following was determined: The traffic on Edgewood Road are unacceptable and require action, maximum reasonable Police traffic enforcement has been devoted to Edgewood Road since the May 24 Council meeting. Although Police has had an extensive presence and issued many citations, traffic has only slowed somewhat. Simultaneous protection should be provided to discourage diversion to Blandford in the form of stop signs along with the speed humps rather than waiting to determine whether the traffic has indeed been diverted. Potential diversions of traffic to other nearby streets, namely, Arlington, Woodsworth, Turnsworth and Blandford should be monitored and diversion mitigation implemented if it is determined significant diversions occur - 100 additional vehicles per day on any one of those streets. The task force lowered the number from the 150 vehicles previously determined to be the threshold of diverted vehicles. The task force recommendation for community notification included the Oak Knoll Edgewood Park Neighborhood Association Newsletter distributed in mid-October and on November 5, a notice (approx. 500) prepared by City staff summarizing the task force findings and recommendations was mailed to all addresses within the area bounded by Whipple Avenue to Cordilleras Creek and Alameda de las Pulgas to Oakdale Street or Wesley Crescent. Notice invited input to be given to the Traffic Engineer and notice of the Council hearing date.
Vice Mayor Claire indicated he had previously requested the south side of Whipple be notified of the task force meeting, especially the houses on the corners and not actually bearing a Whipple Road address and asked if that attempt was made. Police Chief Bolanos responded that the neighborhood association identified their own representatives.
MEMO 12/2/99
Public Comment:
D.L. Sibbert received a notice and thanked Council for notification. He questioned the term "traffic calming". Please do not start precedent of impeding traffic but rather helping it to flow.
Ed Bailey, Friendly Acres Neighborhood Association, mentioned speed humps present are not really a problem, but a very viable tool to circumvent speeding issues and asked that one issue not sway a decision.
Brent Britschgi brought up the issue of Council direction from the previous meeting as being a traffic study on Brewster to Edgewood and not just Edgewood Road. He acknowledged being a member of the task force but unable to attend the meeting and did not receive minutes from the meeting. He also questioned the stop signs on Edgewood Road and felt Police presence to be the answer.
Paul Sanfilippo felt the general consensus was to use signs and monitor prior to installing humps and requested Council defer action until further signs can be placed.
Dorothy Rouse, in area of hump proposal, is in favor of speed humps installation and felt all parties have agreed that the speed should be reduced and not diverted to Blandford. She feels the task force has accomplished this task.
David Stuart, member of the task force, concurs with previous speaker. The police monitoring was effective, but not feasible long term.
Mary B. Jenkins loves neighborhood but feels street is dangerous and humps are needed. R.D. Jenkins started the petition and understood that if the street met criteria would be considered for speed humps. He sees no need to argue about impact on other streets and should consider each street as necessary.
Herman Pepper stated he knows Edgewood Road intimately and speed humps will slow down traffic.
Nita Spangler referred to Edgewood Road being set out in 1889 and encouraged staff to allow this speed hump placement.
Council Member Howard asked Task Force Chairperson Verdone about the task force minutes being mailed out and the process followed.
Edgewood Park Neighborhood Association chairperson Verdone commended the report as being complete and accurate and the task force as being representative of divergent views while concurring that the minutes had been mailed out. He indicated he had hand delivered notices covering everything south of Whipple Avenue to Hopkins and down to Grant on both sides of Whipple Avenue, as well Alameda de las Pulgas up to Hopkins.
Council Member Claire reiterated his request that more people in the area be noticed and still felt enforcement was necessary.
MEMO 12/2/99
Vice Mayor Claire made a motion to postpone a decision on the humps until the larger group is brought together to study alternatives to speed humps and after the study, if humps deemed to be the best possible way to go he would support. The motion failed for lack of a second.
MEMO 12/2/99
M/S Ira/Howard to:
- Adopt RESOLUTION 13800 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING INSTALLATION OF SPEED HUMPS AT DESIGNATED LOCATIONS ON CERTAIN STREETS HEREIN SPECIFIED; (702)
- Adopt RESOLUTION 13801 ESTABLISHING AND DECLARING DESIGNATED ENTRANCES TO CERTAIN HEREIN SPECIFIED INTERSECTION TO BE STOP ENTRANCES; (702)
- Direct staff to monitor traffic conditions on nearby local residential streets in the vicinity of the Edgewood Road hump installations, and to regard a change in excess of 100 vehicles per day on the neighboring local streets attributable to diversions from the Edgewood Road humps as a threshold of significance that warrants mitigative traffic calming actions on the affected street or streets;
Vice Mayor Claire commented that broader representation should be followed because other streets would be impacted, such as Whipple Avenue and Alameda de las Pulgas. Council Member Jordan suggested hiring more traffic officers and expressed concern about signage being removed. Council Member Pierce asked to add to the motion a trial period of 4 months with a specific beginning and ending date to do an evaluation of the impact on neighborhoods and appoint a task force.
MEMO 12/2/99
The motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: Council Members Howard, Ira, Pierce, Mayor Ruskin; Noes: Council Member Jordan and Vice Mayor Claire; Abstain: Council Member Hartnett. (702)
MINUTE ORDER 99-152
9:00 p.m. - 9:10 p.m. - Break
9:10 p.m. - Council Member Hartnett returned to the dais.6. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None
7. PUBLIC HEARING
A. PUBLIC HEARING ON Law Enforcement Block Grant Funds by Redwood City Police Department;
Sergeant Cesena reported that it is the fourth consecutive year the department has received funds from the program and this year's award is for $103,614. In addition, the department will also receive a citizen's option for public safety grant from the State of California in the amount of $168,724 and the proposal is that the COPS grant be dedicated to salaries and benefits of new police officer positions.
Mayor Ruskin opened the public hearing.
Michael O'Brien spoke of due diligence in appropriation toward SWAT expenses instead of traffic calming.
M/S Howard/Ira to close the public hearing. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
M/S Howard/Hartnett to approve the Police Chief's recommendation to dedicate the funds to procure equipment for the department's Special Weapons and Tactics team (SWAT) and provide training for law enforcement personnel. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. (505)MINUTE ORDER 99-153
B. PUBLIC HEARING on Use of Citizens Option for Public Safety (COPS) Funds of $168,724.45 by the Redwood City Police Department;
Sergeant Cesena explained that this is the fourth consecutive year of receiving this grant. He further explained that the funds must be used to supplement existing services and may not be used to supplant existing funding for law enforcement services.
Mayor Ruskin opened the public hearing. No public comment was received.
M/S Howard/Ira to close the public hearing. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
M/S Ira/Claire to approve the Police Chief's recommendation to dedicate the funds to the salaries and benefits of the new police officer positions approved by City Council pursuant to the staffing study. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. (505)MINUTE ORDER 99-154
8. BOARDS, COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Landbanking report from the Housing and Human Concerns Committee: (209)
Planning and Redevelopment Manager Church introduced Chairperson Peggy Tweedie who explained the programs and policies recommended by the Housing and Human Concerns Committee and requested guidance from the Council as to which items, if any, need revision or elimination. Mr. Church explained the income information requested and presented at the meeting.
Council comments included the need to target and provide first time homebuyer housing opportunities for teachers, inclusion of the school districts early in planning process, a range of options to be presented to Council showing groups served by various alternatives, desire to include other target groups and a survey of those groups to better understand the needs and interest, need to look at programs in context of the full picture, explore housing trust fund options through the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group, look at various types of encumbrances and include employers, and explore the housing scholarship program for teachers as well.
MEMO 12/2/99
Mark Moulton, Peninsula Habitat for Humanity, thanked the Council for the partnership opportunity and suggested that educational success is related to stable housing for families as well as teachers
Ed Bailey asked that realtors be included in the process and to consider the police and fire employees as target groups.
Hillary Paulson spoke about City employees currently being served through CDBG money.
Council consensus included looking at the big picture including all sources of money available, to include in the charts information about the people the option serve, bring options for length of term of participation, options for various forms of encumbrances, inclusion of employers, target teachers as major group, appointment of a task force by Mayor Ruskin to include Council Members, the school district, HHCC members and a finance expert.
MEMO 12/2/99
9. CLOSED SESSION - None
10. ADJOURNMENT - 10:25 p.m.
M/S Howard/Hartnett to adjourn to the Redevelopment Agency Meeting in honor of recently deceased former head librarian Karl Vollmayer a person who loved books, was the individual behind the new library, caring person who will be sorely missed as stated by Vice Mayor Claire. The adjournment also honored those memorialized by the plaques and honors outside City Hall, including MIA's and those veterans who returned. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia S. Howe, CMC
City Clerk
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