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
REGULAR MEETING
7:00 P.M.
January 22, 2001
The City Council Meeting and Redevelopment Agency Meeting were called to order simultaneously. The Redevelopment Agency Meeting was convened concurrently, following the consent calendar section (See Separate Minutes).
1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Council Members Present: Hartnett, Howard, Ira, Jordan, Pierce, Vice Mayor Claire, Mayor Ruskin
Staff Present: City Manager Everett, City Attorney Schricker, City Clerk Howe; Senior Deputy City Clerk Ponte, Financial Services Director Ponty, Financial Services Manager Freeman, Information Technology Supervising Analyst Tikekar, Senior Civil Engineer Lynch, Community Development Services Manager Patterson, Sergeant Matuszak, Police Captain Warner, Economic Development Coordinator Webb, Volunteer Balsamo
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - led by Jim Hartnett, Council Member
4. INVOCATION - Steve Tiebout, Pastor (New Hope Community Church)
5. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY - None
6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Pete Hughes extended an invitation to a St. Patrick's event on Saturday, March 17 that includes dinner consisting of green beer, corned beef, cabbage, red wine, salad and dessert; and an auction and raffle. The cost of the dinner is $20.00 and benefits Kainos.
Rosanne Foust, Vice Chairperson/Economic Development/Redwood City/San Mateo/San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce, stated she was present to highlight a few upcoming events and encourage attendance. The first one is on Friday, January 26 at the Sequoia Club for the State of the City Breakfast. Mayor Ruskin and Vice Mayor Claire will discuss the State of Redwood City and open to the public comments and questions. On Wednesday, January 31, 2001 the annual award dinner will be held at the Hotel Sofitel. The annual Progress Seminar will be held in Monterey on April 20-22. For more information please call the Chamber of Commerce at 364-1722.
Reginald Burgess stated he is a live-aboard resident at the Peninsula Marina. After reading a newspaper article about redevelopment in the area, he and other tenants received eviction notices. He stated there is an issue of compensation and the tenants should be carefully considered.
Mayor Ruskin explained that the property owner in that area does have an interest in developing housing on the property. City staff is aware and has been discussing with them preliminary steps necessary for such a development. There are no permits and the eviction notice distribution is a completely separate act by the property owner.
City Attorney Schricker stated the notice is from the new property owner to the tenants of the Marina to vacate without consultation or relationship to any action of the City. He further stated this is not a Redevelopment project. There is a new owner who apparently has a plan that has received a fair amount of publicity. No application or plans have been submitted to the City for development.
Council Member Howard stated that the project appears to include the retaining or rebuilding the marina and that involves dredging. She further stated that possibly the owner could discuss with the tenants any possible alternatives.
Karen Sparks Burgess stated she had heard and understands Council comments and wanted to point out what the Council can or cannot do, the rights of the private developer and where the situation stands. She stated those who reside at Peninsula Marina do so under a contract that has specific provisions with respect to it being a homestead. She further stated that relocation in this situation is more complex in that a vessel is involved and that as indicated, there are no other places to take these vessels. She stated it is the duty of the Council to take an active role in what is going on due to the fact that, eventually, the Council would be approving any plans for the site.
Jim Welch stated that the Peninsula Marina situation is very grave because not only are the tenants displaced but also they must take their vessels with them. There are 400 vessels at the marina and they have 90 days to relocate. The waiting lists at other marinas are a yearlong.
Comments from Council included that there should be legal input prior to any direction given, that all Council Members had been given the opportunity to view the plans and voice any concerns. Mayor Ruskin stated he and the City Manager would consult with the City Attorney to understand the legal parameters and investigate options.
Henry McCall stated he works for the Federal Government and recently moved to the Peninsula Marina as it fits his budget. He further stated he signed a contract, paid a months rent in advance and was told the contract was good for 5 years. He questioned whether there are laws and regulations regarding development in the City.
Kim O'Brien stated that discussion has occurred regarding development on the site and the displacement of hundreds of people and 400 hundred vessels with nowhere to go. She stated was has not been addressed is the environmental impact that this will have on the sloughs and waterways around the marina. She stated although there are many responsible boat owners at the marina, there are more irresponsible owners who have abandoned their boats in this marina and merely pay their monthly rent or in some cases do not pay. She further stated that the eviction process would cause further extensive cleaning out of derelict boats because there is no place for the boat owners to go.
Mayor Ruskin stated that if anyone has additional questions he can be reached by calling the City Clerk office at 780-7220 and he will return calls within 48 hours.7. CONSENT CALENDAR - None
Items on the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine by the City Council and are enacted by one motion and one vote. There is no separate discussion of these items unless a Council Member or Citizen so requests, in which event the item is removed from the Consent Calendar and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda. City Manager Everett requested Item 7.2A be removed from the Consent Calendar at this time due to the fact that the Report was disseminated prior and may not have been readily available for reference.
M/S Hartnett/Howard to waive reading of the Consent Calendar except the ordinances by title, adopt the resolutions and the ordinances, and approve other items with the exception of Item 7.2A. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
7.1 Minutes Approval
A. Approve the Minutes of the joint meeting of December 18, 2000 as submitted;
MINUTE ORDER 01-01
7.2 Motions
A. Motion to Acknowledge Receipt of and Accept the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000;
This item was removed from consideration at this time.B. Motion to Approve Hiring of Literary Tutor-Student Coordinator at Step 3 of salary range;
MINUTE ORDER 01-02
C. Motion to Approve Final Acceptance for the Redwood Shores Levee Improvement Project - Segment 1 (Granite Construction);
MINUTE ORDER 01-03
D. Motion to Approve Grant of Easement - E.G. Seaveys (Oil Changers - 2762 El Camino Real);
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E. Motion to Approve Lateral Hiring of Police Officers (3) at Step 5 rather than entry level;
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7.3 Section - Resolutions
A. RESOLUTION 14123 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW FINANCIAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS (Maze & Assoc.);
B. RESOLUTION 14124 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH FAIR OAKS SEWER MAINTENANCE DISTRICT, COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, CONSENTING TO ANNEXATION OF CERTAIN TERRITORY TO SAID DISTRICT;
C. RESOLUTION 14125 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT GRANTING ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE INSTALLATION OF FIBER OPTIC NETWORK FACILITIES WITHIN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY (Qwest Communications Corporation);
D. RESOLUTION 14126 APPROVING CONTRACT DOCUMENTS FOR THE LAGOON DISCHARGE FACILITY III OUTFALL REPAIR; AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS THEREFOR;
E. RESOLUTION 14127 ACCEPTING BID FOR THE REDWOOD CITY MAIN LIBRARY PROJECT READ OFFICE EXPANSION PROJECT; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT FOR SAID WORK; AND DIRECTING RETURN OF SECURITY DEPOSITS (Tec Accutite, Inc.);
F. RESOLUTION 14128 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT WITH THE SEQUOIA UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PROVIDE FOR A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER AT SEQUOIA HIGH SCHOOL;
G. RESOLUTION 14129 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT WITH THE REDWOOD CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PROVIDE FOR A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER AT KENNEDY AND McKINLEY MIDDLE SCHOOLS;
H. Job Specifications for the Classifications of Building Maintenance Worker, Senior Building Maintenance Worker, and Senior Craft Specialist;
RESOLUTION 14130 APPROVING JOB SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF BUILDING MAINTENANCE WORKER;
RESOLUTION 14131 APPROVING JOB SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF SENIOR BUILDING MAINTENANCE WORKER;
RESOLUTION 14132 APPROVING JOB SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF SENIOR CRAFT SPECIALIST;7.4 Claims and Warrants
A. Reject claim no. 1860 from Stephanie Corey, and claim no. 1863 from Dina Tozzini;
MINUTE ORDER 01-06
B. Approve warrants dated through January 22, 2001 and usual and necessary payments through February 5, 2001;
MINUTE ORDER 01-07
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (SEE SEPARATE MINUTES)
8. MATTERS OF COUNCIL INTEREST
- Endorsement of Council Member Diane Howard to the Community Advisory Board of the San Francisco Bay Water Transit Authority;
Mayor Ruskin explained the Authority has been established and its primary interest will be to evaluate and plan for a ferry service in the bay. An Advisory Board will be considered and Council Member Howard is seeking endorsement to that Board.
Council Member Howard stated she has served on the Blue Ribbon Task Force that recommended to Governor Gray Davis that the Water Transit Authority be created to study the regional ferry system in the Bay Area.The Authority has received $12,000,000.00 in funding from the State Legislature to begin their work. One of the recommendations being implemented is to have both a technical advisory board and a community advisory board. The members of the community board are to be a composition of many different members throughout the community, but additionally, any cities that have been recognized as potential terminal sites, such as Redwood City, are to be involved in the community advisory board process. She further stated that one of the Council priorities has been to become more involved in regional transportation solutions and Redwood City is primed and ready to be involved in a Bay Area regional ferry system. This endorsement and potential appointment would enable her to be involved in the planning process and report information on a regular basis to the Council.
M/S Jordan/Ira to Authorize Mayor Ruskin to send letter of endorsement of Council Member Diane Howard to the Community Advisory Board of San Francisco Bay Water Transit Authority. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
MINUTE ORDER 01-08
- Consideration of City Council Compensation:
Vice Mayor Claire explained this item is before the Council for the third time and reiterated that the Council has had a 36% increase in cost of living since 1990 and the Council has not received an increase in that same 10 year period. The intent in 1990 was for Council to reconsider compensation each year.
Council Member Pierce asked how compensation increase for employees is determined.
City Manager Everett explained that there are two ways. As was performed for the Council compensation, a survey of cities is done; the median is noted, deleting Redwood City from that group, and focus on the median figure. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is also considered, which currently is 5.5%. The two factors are then used to balance and set compensation with the goal of meeting the median figure.
Council Member Jordan stated the idea of appointing an advisory committee to discuss the best process for compensation consideration is a good one. She further stated it should be tied to objectives, possibly tied in with the priority setting session, and discussion of raises in ensuing years should be based on objectives.
Council Member Howard stated the idea of citizen involvement warrants discussion
Council Member Ira stated the Council should use the same methodology as with other compensation studies, bring the salary up to the median and attach a cost of living adjustment. He stated he would support a salary adjustment up to $750.00 a month, and tying into COLA thereafter.
Vice Mayor Claire commented that a citizens committee would not necessarily be beneficial.
Council Member Pierce stated that a salary that Council is comfortable with supporting should be determined and it should be agreed that the subject be considered each year.
Council Member Jordan stated that she would prefer staff assistance more than a raise.
Council Member Howard stated the need for streamlining payment for events and other expenses and asked about possible internship programs available through local high schools and colleges.
Public Comment:
Rudy Luca stated he thought that employees receive a COLA and questioned the duration of employee contracts.
Pete Hughes stated he would like his City Council to be paid a respectable amount of money, possibly about $20,000.00 a year. He further stated it is a political matter.
Council Member Hartnett stated he thinks the $750.00 is a reasonable amount and had initially planned to reach that point over a number of years. He further stated that it is not the Council's role to be policy makers rather than bureaucrats. He stated he would support the raise and prior to the meeting did not expect to do so.
Council Member Jordan stated the compensation should be tied to objectives and she would not support a raise.
Mayor Ruskin stated that in looking at the list of priorities many have been accomplished or are being addressed and he proceeded to name many of them.
Council Member Pierce stated that as she believes the compensation should not be used as a reward, it should also not be used as a punishment for perceived failures. She further stated that the public should be present at the priority ranking session on February 10.
M/S Ira/Claire to set Council compensation at $750.00 per month and a policy to annually consider an increase tied to the Consumer Price Index thereafter by adopting RESOLUTION 14133 ESTABLISHING COMPENSATION FOR MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND RESCINDING ALL RESOLUTIONS, OR PORTIONS THEREOF, IN CONFLICT HEREWITH.
The motion passed by a majority roll call vote with Council Member Jordan voting no.
MINUTE ORDER 01-10
9. STAFF REPORTS -
- RCN Fiber Optic Institutional Network;
Financial Services Director Ponty explained the proposal by RCN to construct a fiber optic institutional network for the City. The total project is estimated to cost approximately $206,000.00. Construction of the network would complete the wide area network (WAN). This network would connect us to almost all of the outlying locations and allow elimination of leasing low speed telecommunication lines from Pacific Bell. This will provide broader bandwidth and faster communication speed between facilities.
Currently, leasing the T1 lines from Pacific Bell that allows data transmittal at 1-1/2 megabytes per second, the City currently spends $19,000.00 per year. A more even comparison would be to compare the cost to lease the same amount of bandwidth from Pacific Bell to transmit data at 90-100 megabytes per second, and that cost is $388,000.00 a year.
Council questions included whether RCN provides this service in other cities and whether esthetics such as landscaping will be restored to previous status. Financial Services Director Ponty responded that this work should have minimal incremental impact on esthetics.
M/S Howard/Ira that the City Council provide conceptual approval for the RCN Corporation to construct a fiber optic institutional network for the City. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
MINUTE ORDER 01-09
10. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None
11. PUBLIC HEARING -
- Public Hearing on Adopting the Urban Water Management Plan;
Public Works Services Director Ingram stated that he would be using a slide presentation to explain the document that is proposed for approval and forwarding to the State. He stated it is a requirement of the State of California and that one of the benefits is that it reflects on Council policy about water and water supply. He stated this part of an ongoing process of really looking ahead and assuring the City residents have water in the future that is appropriate for their use.
The document will bring the City into full compliance with the Urban Water Management Planning Act of 1984. Updates have occurred both in 1986 and 1992 by Council. The plan is required because the City sells quite a bit more water than the minimum and there are many more customers than the minimum.
He continued that the citizens have a value about conservation the City is still at pre 1987-1991 drought usage per capita, whereas the BAWUA agencies in total, just crossed that threshold last year.
M/S Howard/Hartnett to adopt RESOLUTION 14134 ADOPTING URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.12. BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES REPORTS
- Appointment to the Board of Building Review - One Vacancy
City Clerk Howe tallied the votes by roll call. Wayne E. Paulson was the successful applicant by the following vote with Council Member Jordan abstaining due to not being present for interviews.
MINUTE ORDER 01-11
- Wayne E. Paulson - Council Members Hartnett, Howard, Ira, Pierce, Vice Mayor Claire
- Chandy K. Philip - Mayor Ruskin
- Bradford Will
13. CLOSED SESSION - No reported action
14. ADJOURNMENT - 9:03 p.m.
M/S Hartnett/Howard to adjourn until the meeting of January 29, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. in honor of Jack Anthony, who passed away on January 9, 2001. He served on various organizations in Redwood City including the Senior Affairs Commission, San Mateo County Commission on Aging, Veterans Memorial Senior Center Advisory Council and represented the senior community on the Redwood City School Board Bond Measure A. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia S. Howe, CMC
City Clerk
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