City Council Minutes
January 10, 2000

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.
January 10, 2000

 

CALL TO ORDER - 6:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL

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

Staff Present: Senior Civil Engineer Vorametsanti, Attorney Schricker

1. PUBLIC COMMENT - None

2. SUBJECT

  1. Conference with legal counsel. Anticipated litigation (Government Code § 54956.9 (a))
    Name of Case: Sequoia Audubon Society versus City of Redwood City (60 days notice of intent to sue).

3. RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION

4. REPORT OF ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION, IF ANY

5. ADJOURNMENT - 7:25 p.m.



REGULAR MEETING
7:30 P.M.
January 10, 2000



CALL TO ORDER - 7:34 p.m.

ROLL CALL

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

Staff Present: City Manager Everett, City Attorney Schricker, City Clerk Howe, Senior Deputy City Clerk Ponte, Financial Services Manager Ponty, Senior Civil Engineer Vorametsanti, Senior Civil Engineer Lynch, Community Development Services Manager Patterson, Community Development Services Manager LaTorra, Planning and Redevelopment Manager Church, Traffic Engineer Haygood, Housing Coordinator Jones-Thomas, Volunteer Balsamo

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - led by Vice-Mayor Dick Claire

INVOCATION: Pastor Dennis Logie, Sequoia Christian Church

1. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY - None

2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS

Pete Hughes spoke about City codes and the effect on him and his wife. He stated that their property prioritizations were contradictory to the City's wishes. He referred to various areas in the City where garage conversions exist and exhibited concern for the needy residents. Mr. Hughes requested that the matter be put on hold so the code could be reviewed.

Consensus by Council was for the matter to be dealt with in February along with the policy recommendations from the Planning Commission and reconsideration of the administrative remedies ordinance while tabling any action on the Hughes property in the interim.

Clem Malony congratulated Mayor Ruskin and Vice Mayor Claire and thanked former Mayor Howard on her leadership. CCAG late November agenda report regarding a land use impact analysis program coming out of the Congestion Management and Air Quality sub-committee that has been approved by CCAG. He encouraged Council to learn from staff about the analysis program that addresses traffic congestion as a result of development.

Keith Bautista, Redwood City/San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce, expressed a positive outlook for the upcoming year. He announced the annual State of the City address at the Sequoia Club, on January 21 at 7:30 a.m. and the Annual Chamber Awards and Recognition Dinner on January 26 at the Hotel Soffitel. He encouraged those interested to contact the Chamber of Commerce for reservations.

Steve Zmay spoke about 303, 304 Heller and 418 Cassia properties that were dealt with at the Council meeting of September 13, 1999. Mr. Zmay requested the City share in the cost of the relocation fees. City Attorney Schricker and City Manager Everett reported on the status of the matter.

William Vinci, representing 4C, stated he was speaking in order to raise public awareness of the scheduled meeting regarding the proposed downtown megaplex mall development of 20 screens, 4,500 seats, combined with over 75,000 of additional retail space. He stated a scoping session has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. He further stated that a series of ads paid for by 4C would begin during the upcoming week and that the goals of the organization are to help create a thriving downtown. From a personal standpoint, he expressed dissatisfaction with staff and some Council Members regarding the project and suggested utilizing the Port area for community events and business.

Bruce Weitzen, speaking on Item 3D from the Consent Calendar, urged Council to accept the Stafford Park Play Area Renovation Project.

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.

A. Approve the Minutes of the Closed Session and Regular Council Meeting of December 6th, 1999 and December 13th, 1999;

MOTION ORDER 00-168

B. Acceptance of Deed for a Miscellaneous Parcel from Redwood Shores Properties;

MOTION ORDER 00-169

C. Acceptance of Reimbursement Agreement for Relocating MCI Fiber Optic Cable Systems for the Jefferson Avenue Underpass Project;

MOTION ORDER 00-170

D. Final Acceptance of the Stafford Park Play Area Renovation Project, and Authorize the Release of Bonds; (AV&C Construction)

MOTION ORDER 00-171

E. Approve Appointment of Rosalind Kutler at a Salary Above Beginning Level of the Librarian Classification II;

MOTION ORDER 00-172

F. RESOLUTION 13807 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF GRANT OF REVOCABLE ENCROACHMENT PERMIT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF UNDERGROUND CONDUITS WITH COMMUNICATION LINES;

G. Approve Job Specifications for the Classifications of Library Outreach Specialist and Senior Library Outreach Specialist and Amend Salary and Wage Plan Accordingly;

  1. RESOLUTION AMENDING SECTION 1 AND EXHIBIT B OF RESOLUTION NO. 13298 ESTABLISHING A SALARY PLAN FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYEE CLASSIFICATIONS (SEIU UNIT), TO ADD THE POSITION OF, AND SALARY FOR SENIOR LIBRARY OUTREACH SPECIALIST;

  2. ii) RESOLUTION APPROVING JOB SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF SENIOR LIBRARY OUTREACH SPECIALIST;

Continued to the regular Council meeting of January 24, 2000.

H. RESOLUTION 13808 AMENDING SALARY SCHEDULE AND COMPENSATION PLAN FOR THE POSITION OF CITY MANAGER;

I. RESOLUTION 13809 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF FIRST AMENDMENT TO FUNDING AGREEMENT FOR WOODSIDE ROAD WIDENING PROJECT (SAN MATEO COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY);

K. ORDINANCE 2184 ADDING TABLE 1 TO ARTICLE II, CHAPTER 3, OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF REDWOOD CITY, AND AMENDING SECTION 3.114 OF SAID CODE, RELATING TO COMBINED AREA OF WALL SIGNS AND UNAUTHORIZED LOCATIONS OF SIGNS, RESPECTIVELY; (first reading December 13, 1999)

L. Reject the claim of Eileen Lepera, No. 1789; reject the claim of Christiane Metz, No. 1790;

MOTION ORDER 00-173

M. Approve warrants dated through January 10th, 2000 and usual and necessary payments through January 24th, 2000;

MOTION ORDER 00-174

M/S Ira/Hartnett to waive reading of the Consent Calendar except the ordinances by title, adopt the resolutions (except Item 3G) and the ordinances, pull Item 3J for clerical revisions and approve other items. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote, with Council Member Ira abstaining on Item A, December 13 minutes.



J. M/S Hartnett/Howard to adopt ORDINANCE 2185 (with revisions noted below) AMENDING SECTIONS 25.1.9, 25.1.14 AND 25.1.16 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF REDWOOD CITY RELATING TO HOURS OF OPERATION OF PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS, EXCEPTIONS TO PROHIBITION OF DOGS IN PARKS, AND REGULATION OF CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN CITY PARKS, PARK BUILDINGS, OR RECREATIONAL AREAS, RESPECTIVELY; (first reading December 13, 1999)

Mayor Ruskin suggested revisions as follows: referring to agenda packet Page 3J-4, Section 2, Item (B), line 4 to be changed to read except 1) sports fields, 2) recreation areas, and 3) playground areas within which playground equipment has been installed;… The revisions were suggested to make clear that the recreation areas are off limits without having to have playground equipment installed there.

The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

4. MATTERS OF COUNCIL INTEREST - This item limited to fifteen minutes.

Council Member Jordan spoke of the public hearing notice regarding the Cinema scoping session on January 18 and that being the same night as an important meeting in Redwood Shores. She expressed the desire to see Council Members present at both meetings and asked whether the Planning Commission meeting could be delayed. City Manager Everett responded that the publicity has the community prepared for the meeting and Planning and Redevelopment Manager Church indicated comments could be written as well as orally presented. Council Member Jordan further stated that the upcoming Planning Commission is an excellent example of a meeting that is not a Council meeting and should be televised and requested a press release be prepared.>br>
With Council consensus, Mayor Ruskin stated he would speak with Planning Commissioner Verdone about televising the meeting while City Clerk Howe checks with MPAC about scheduling the live broadcast on January 18.
  1. Mayor Appointments:

    Mayor Ruskin announced he had made all appointments to the Council committees and liaison positions. He explained that the full work of the Council is done not only at the regular Council meetings, but by sub-committees of the Council. He thanked the Council for all the work it will entail and mentioned the information had been disseminated and scrolled prior to tonight's Council meeting and will be again prior to the meeting of January 24.

  2. Tentative Agenda for Priority Setting Session:

    Mayor Ruskin announced the session will take place between 10:00 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. at the main Redwood City Library Community Room. He explained the importance of the session as the beginning of a 2-year budget cycle where Council meeting with staff, members of the public and others will be determining the priorities for the next 2-year budget cycle along with initial consensus on CIP budget priorities for the next several years. Mayor Ruskin read over a draft agenda that was distributed for feedback.

    Council Member Pierce suggested a different approach utilizing a circular table that encourages Council Members to be dialoguing with each other and spare chairs to invite staff or others with expertise to participate. She stressed that the session should be participatory so that all feel they have input and that the City representatives are listening and looking out for the community's welfare.

  3. Proposed downtown cinema retail project:

    Mayor Ruskin mentioned two disturbing issues that occurred in the last week. Firstly, an article that appeared in the Chronicle that gave the impression that the project was a done deal. A second occurrence, was a sign in the Century Theatre lobby that stated, "These following theatres are going to be opening up in the next few years". It mentioned Redwood City would have an opening in the spring of 2000. Mayor Ruskin stressed that the occurrences were due to zealous marketing and public relations and business interests that do not reflect the process. The expectation is that those types of press releases and activities will cease and there will be a better effort to inform and involve the community. Beginning this month there will be a monthly newsletter to all of the residents of Redwood City that will explain what the project is about, how it came to be, what has happened so far, and what the future of the process will be. He reiterated that the scoping session to determine the scope of the EIR would occur in the Council Chambers, on January 18 at 7:30 p.m. and will be televised. Beginning Thursday, January 13 and continuing through the next two months, a mini presentation of a typical proposal will be shown to the neighborhood associations, one by one, to get each of the associations acquainted with what the project might be.

5. BOARDS, COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

A. Program Design Changes for Home Improvement Loan Programs:
i) The Home Improvement Loan Committee (Committee) recommends that the Council reviews and approves these proposed program changes. This recommendation is also made by the Home Improvement Program Team (Team) which consists of all the program staff;
Chair Person Call referred to the committee as the Housing Rehabilitation Loan Committee, as confusing and people do not understand the services it provides. The committee was implemented in 1976 and has loaned over 6 million dollars to residents of the community to improve their property, bring properties up to code, make more units available to low income housing and assist the City in improving its outlook and housing stock. One change would be to streamline and require one loan rate of 3%, the recommended rate of the Federal Government, and increase the loan amount to $100,000. Emergency loans of up to $5,000. would be completed in from 1-3 days for people in need of heating, roofing or some other emergency situation.
ii) The Committee recommends that you review and approve the Committee By-Laws;
Chair Person Call explained that there were some proposed revisions to the By-Laws.
Council discussion included request for brief and clear reports as to how the program is doing, how effective it is in accomplishing its objectives to review the success of the program and whether any changes should be made.

Mayor Ruskin requested some revisions be made to the By-Laws. He suggested under Section 2.2 Appointment of Members, adding the following: "City Council Member shall be appointed by the Mayor". Under Section 2.11 Quorum, add the word "present" after the word "members" in the second sentence. Additionally, the sentence refers to Section 2.11, but should end with a period after the word "meeting", eliminating the remainder of the sentence beginning with the word "provided". Regarding Section 2.12, the last sentence to be revised as follows: "Notice of the time and place of the meeting to be adjourned to shall be given to members and posted no less than 24 hours prior to the time of that meeting".

M/S Howard/Pierce to accept the recommendations and By-Laws of the Home Improvement Loan Program Committee. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

6. STAFF REPORTS

  1. Redwood Shores Levee Fencing and Gates Contract;

    Council Member Hartnett recommended the item be continued to the next regular Council meeting of January 24. Council Member Hartnett stated that there had been discussion of the item with the Sequoia Audubon Society as a result of their public testimony at the Council meeting on this topic. It was agreed in discussions with them following that Council meeting that they would communicate to the City by the end of January 10, some potentially positive ideas regarding how the agencies might work together in not only protecting the designated endangered species but perhaps protecting them in even a better way than currently contemplated. Additionally, there should be communication with U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the agency with jurisdiction over the subject matter, so that positive ways to accomplish the purpose of the permit to protect endangered species may be addressed. By continuing this item, the Council is not prejudicing the ability to accept the contract as it is stipulated in the bids that the issue may be held open as appropriate and determination whether to approve the contract will occur after discussions are complete.

    M/S Hartnett/Ira to continue to the regular meeting of January 24 after discussion with Sequoia Audubon Society and U.S. Fish and Wildlife. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

  2. Traffic Mitigation Fee Agreement with Irvine Apartment Communities (IAC);

    RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT FOR THE FUNDING OF OFF-SITE ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO EAST BAYSHORE ROAD AND EXTENSION OF EAST BAYSHORE ROAD; (Irvine Apartment Communities Residential Marina Project)

    M/S Ira/Howard to remove from consideration and continue to the regular Council meeting of January 24. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

  3. Agreement for Consultant Engineering Services - Bayshore Road Widening:

    RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING ENGINEERING SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE BAYSHORE ROAD WIDENING PROJECT; (Nolte and Associates, Inc.)

    M/S Ira/Howard to remove from consideration and continue to the regular Council meeting of January 24. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

  4. Acknowledge Receipt and Accept the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1999;

    Financial Services Director Ponty began his report confining discussion to the General Fund activities, as it is the fund of which Council has the most discretion and will answer questions on any part of the document. He stated sales tax was up 13% and continues to be the largest source of funding in the General Fund at 30% of General Fund Revenue or 15.3 million dollars. The downside of sales tax is that it remains very concentrated. Of the 15.3 million dollars, over 7.5 million dollars is generated by just 25 businesses in Redwood City. Property tax remains the second largest source of revenue at 24% of the General Fund Revenue, or 12.4 million dollars. Property taxes were up 11% over the prior year, attributed to the strong housing and commercial markets with building activities going on the past year. The Transient Occupancy Tax, or hotel tax, was up $391,000. or 24% and is now slightly above 2 million dollars a year. The Utility Users Tax was up 7% and the one major revenue that declined was building permit revenue. The building permit revenue had declined 22% or $442,000. On the expenditure side, expenditures were up 10% over the prior year and within budget. Employee costs continue to be the single largest functional category of expenditure with almost two thirds of the General Fund devoted to Salaries and Benefits. By activity, Public Safety continues to be the largest single source of expenditures with approximately 55% of the General Fund resources devoted to Public Safety and reflects little change from the prior year. The expenditures were up more so than prior years as a result of two large deliberate decisions by Council. One item being adoption of the Police Department staffing study several years ago along with implementation of the Paramedic program in the Fire Department. In summary, the Unreserved Fund Balance in the General Fund remained flat from 1998 to 1999, ending the year at 10.8 million dollars.

    Council comments included desire for discussion at the Priority Session Setting Session of various projects such as the Friendly Acre flooding.

    M/S Ira/Howard to approve the acceptance of the report. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

  5. Special Speed Control/Safety Enhancement Sign Program;

    Dan Smith explained the program. He stated that traffic engineers' opinion and knowledge show that signs with unique or highly evocative messages have initial effects on people's driving behavior but that those effects attenuate considerably over time. The recommendation is to have signs that are friendly reminders or requests, some that are humorous or perhaps have shock effect, and possibly some that call attention to the City's traffic enforcement efforts.

    City Manager Everett stated, in discussion with Chief Bolanos, the second to last bullet item of Exhibit "A" should be removed from consideration.

    Council comments included praise for the concept and questions about evaluating and monitoring the speed data. Measuring devices should be used away from the area of arterial stop signs and re-evaluation of the list of signs should occur. Concern about the length of the signs was expressed along with a request to remove the second bullet item of Exhibit "A".

    M/S Hartnett/Howard to adopt RESOLUTION 13810 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING INSTALLATION OF SPECIAL SPEED CONTROL SIGNS;

    The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

7. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None

8. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None

9. CLOSED SESSION - None

10. ADJOURNMENT

Council Member Howard requested that the Jack Castle family be remembered with special attention toward his wife, who is currently ill and in Sequoia Hospital.

Vice Mayor Claire requested adjournment in memory of two individuals. Al Rollins, Sr., longtime resident of Redwood City, Major in WWII and involved in the D-Day invasion. He served on the Park and Recreation Commission, was an active member in Little League Baseball and Pop Warner Football, 83 years old and passed away on December 31. The second person, Bob Whitmore, Jr., passed away on Christmas Day. Bob was a man loved by his students, a swimming coach and had currently been teaching at Carlmont High School.

Mayor Ruskin requested the meeting also be adjourned in memory of Andrew Miles, having moved to Redwood City in 1953, working for St. Pious Parish for 15 years and employed by the City of Redwood City until his retirement in 1977. He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Society for 20 years where he was presented with the OZANAM Award.

M/S Howard/Hartnett to cancel the meeting of January 17, 2000 and adjourn in honor of the above mentioned individuals. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.


Respectfully submitted,

Patricia S. Howe, CMC

City Clerk

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