REDWOOD CITY CITY COUNCIL
MAYOR RICHARD S. CLAIRE
VICE MAYOR JEFF IRA
COUNCILMEMBER JIM
HARTNETT
COUNCILMEMBER DIANE HOWARD
COUNCILMEMBER COLLEEN M. JORDAN
COUNCILMEMBER BARBARA PIERCE
COUNCILMEMBER IRA RUSKIN
REGULAR MEETING
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7:00 P.M.
March 11, 2002
The City Council Meeting and Redevelopment Agency Meeting will be called to order simultaneously. The Redevelopment Agency Meeting began immediately following the first item listed under the Staff Reports Section.
1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:03 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Council Members Present: Hartnett, Howard, Jordan, Pierce, Ruskin, Vice Mayor Ira, Mayor Claire
Staff Present: City Manager Everett, Public Works Services Director/Assistant City Manager Ingram, City Clerk Howe, City Attorney Yamamoto, Assistant City Attorney Brower, Community Development Services Manager Patterson, Community Development Services Manager Passanisi, Project Planner Kelly, Principal Planner Jany; Human Resources Director Rivera-Pen~a, Police Chief Bolanos, Police Captain Warner, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Superintendent Hover, Financial Services Director Ponty,Volunteer Balsamo
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Ira Ruskin, Council Member
4. INVOCATION - Dennis Logie, Sequoia Christian Church
5. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
Proclamation honoring Eugene "Fred" Tavernier upon retiring from the Housing and Human Concerns Committee where he has been an advocate for low income individuals and those with disabilities. Mayor Claire stated that Mr. Tavernier has been characterized by his obvious dedication to "getting the job done" and doing it well.6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS -
Simon Vivian thanked Council for the time and effort they contribute. He spoke about the Flamingo Nightclub and it's affect on the neighborhood located in the Stambaugh-Heller Historical District. He further stated that the quality of life is seriously adversely affected and that he speaks on behalf of the residents in the area.
Bruce Codding, President, Redwood City Education Foundation, presented Mayor Claire and Vice Mayor Ira with acknowledgement of charges against them for which they contributed to fund raising at the JukeBox Event on February 22, 2002.
Mike Spence spoke about the issues facing the Stambaugh-Heller Historical District that are finally being addressed by the Police Department, City staff and neighbors. He handed out letters of opinion from the neighborhood association's unanimous vote related to the Flamingo Nightclub exiting plan and the Hide Away liquor sales.
Judy Buchan, speaking as a member of the Stambaugh-Heller Neighborhood Association, stated concerns of a restaurant permit being issued at the Hideaway location. She suggested that the site be considered for housing when the issue is presented to the City Council.
Maria Diaz Vivian thanked Council and noted progress on the crosswalk at Middlefield and Woodside. She asked for intervention from the City as the PCRC agreement has not been followed. Primarily, the clean-up around the nightclub has not been adhered to and fliers for events have not been distributed as the agreement states. She asked that the issue be re-examined.
Jeri Joseph, Parks and Recreation Commission Chairperson, announced the First Annual Pet Parade to be held on Saturday, March 30, 2002 at Red Morton Community Center at 12:00 noon.
Gayle Church, spoke on behalf of the American Cancer Society Redwood City Relay for Life Organizing Committee. She stated that over the last four years, the community and City Council has supported the efforts. She stated that last month she attended a relay summit for training and networking. She expressed her surprise that Redwood City was awarded for raising the third highest City per capita income in the category of cities with a population of 60,000 - 80,000. The next event will be held on May 18 and 19.
Andy Frisch, speaking on behalf of the Peninsula Sunrise Rotary Club, announced its Annual Irish Night to be held on Saturday, March 16 at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center, 5:30 p.m. The cost is $25.00 per person and a raffle for a trip to Ireland is involved. Proceeds go to such local organizations as YMCA, Casa de Redwood, Kainos, Salvation Army, Little League and Redwood Family House.
7. CONSENT CALENDAR
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 will be removed from the consent calendar and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.
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. Council Member Ruskin stated he would be abstaining on Item 7.4.A., that concerns an amendment between the City and the CalPers Board of Administration due to a potential conflict of interest.7.1 Section - Motions
A. Motion to Approve the Minutes of the last meeting of February 25, 2002;
MINUTE ORDER 02-58
B. Motion to approve execution of a Letter Permit for the Fifth Annual Adelante Spanish Immersion School Fun Run;
MINUTE ORDER 02-59
C. Motion to approve Change Order No. 1 for the 2001-2002 Emergency Electrical Repairs Service to S.G. Barber of Belmont, CA in the amount of $11,500.00;
MINUTE ORDER 02-60
D. Motion to approve and authorize an agreement with Nolte Associates, Inc. of San Jose, CA for providing consultant engineering services for the evaluation of the levee system protecting Seaport Centre, in an amount not to exceed $19,092.00;
MINUTE ORDER 02-61
7.2 Section - Agreements/Resolutions -
A. RESOLUTION 14421 AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE FEDERAL SURPLUS PROPERTY DONATION PROGRAM AND DESIGNATING CERTAIN CITY EMPLOYEES AS CITY REPRESENTATIVES TO ACQUIRE SURPLUS FEDERAL PROPERTY;
B. RESOLUTION 14422 APPROVING APPLICATION AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS AND LOAN/GRANT AGREEMENTS FOR THE WATER RECYCLING PROJECT;
C. RESOLUTION 14423 RATIFYING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE GROUND LEASE WITH REDWOOD SHORES CHILDCARE, LLC;
7.3 Section - Claims and Warrants
A. Reject the claims of John & Renee Zimmerman claim no. 1989 as submitted;
MINUTE ORDER 02-62
A. Approve warrants dated through March 11, 2002 and usual and necessary payments through March 25, 2002;
MINUTE ORDER 02-63
7.4 Section - Ordinances (first Reading) -
A. On 2/15/02 Resolution No. 14417 of Intention approved an amendment to contract between the Board of Administration California Public Employee's Retirement System and the City Council of Redwood City, the current action is to introduce a companion Ordinance;
ORDINANCE AMENDING CONTRACT BETWEEN THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION OF CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDWOOD CITY;
MINUTE ORDER 02-64
8. STAFF REPORTS -
- Professional Services Contract with Kimley-Horn to prepare a Transportation Options Study for the Redwood City Bay Front Area
Principal Planner Passanisi stated the topic involves a proposal for a special study in the Bay Front Area to look at nontraditional ways to access the waterfront area through non auto-oriented modes of transportation for application to EIR's and Bay Front Area plans currently under way.
M/S Hartnett/Howard to approve the agreement. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
MINUTE ORDER 02-65
- Fiscal Year 2001/2002 Appropriations Revisions;
Financial Services Director Ponty explained that 16 separate line item amendments have been proposed, five of which the Council has approved in concept, seven of which are for grants that the City received after the budget adoption and four are for administrative reasons. He further stated sufficient funds exist for the appropriations and will not interfere in the organization's plans for the upcoming year.
M/S Ruskin/Howard to introduce AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING SPECIFIED AMOUNTS FROM DESIGNATED UNAPPROPRIATED FUND BALANCES TO SPECIFIED APPROPRIATIONS, CANCELLING CERTAIN APPROPRIATIONS, AND TRANSFERING SPECIFIED AMOUNTS FROM DESIGNATED APPROPRIATIONS TO OTHER SPECIFIED APPROPRIATIONS;
The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
MINUTE ORDER 02-66
- Dates for Budget Consideration;
Financial Services Director explained that this is an annual request to schedule dates of July 22 and 29 for two budget study sessions, first reading of the budget ordinance on August 5, and second reading and adoption of the ordinance on August 12, 2002.
M/S Howard/Ruskin to adopt RESOLUTION 14424 ESTABLISHING SUBMITTAL DATE FOR PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002/03, SETTING TIME AND PLACE FOR HEARING THEREON, AND ESTABLISHING DATE OF ADOPTION OF THE FINAL BUDGET FOR SAID FISCAL YEAR;
The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
MINUTE ORDER 02-66
- Presentation by DES Architects and Engineers and the Redwood City Police Activities League staff on a proposed new building known as the "PAL Community Center";
Police Chief Bolanos explained the Council granted the Police Activities League (PAL) approximately $400,000.00 combining funds from the Capital Improvement Project Fund and the Community Development Block Grants to construct the PAL building for the youth in the community. He stated that Redwood City Elementary School Superintendent Ron Crates proposed land adjacent to the Taft School could be used for construction of the facility. Through Superintendent Crates, further funding was obtained through a donation by Jeff Hawkins and his wife, Janet Strauss in the amount of $2,000,000.00. DES has designed the Taft School site for the PAL community building. He introduced the Board and staff of PAL present at the meeting.
Dan Ortiz, DES Architect, introduced his team and explained the plans. He projected groundbreaking to occur sometime in June, with construction to begin in July, 2002. The project completion date is anticipated to be spring of 2003.
Council Member Hartnett thanked Chief Bolanos for his leadership along with Captain Warner and the PAL Board. He commended the Elementary School District for its openness and generosity to the community.
- Water Recycling Project - Task Order No. 3 to the professional consulting engineering services agreement with Kennedy/Jenks Consultants;
Public Works Services Director Ingram explained the topic.
M/S Ruskin/Howard to approve Task Order No. 3 to the professional consulting engineering services agreement with Kennedy/Jenks Consultants.
The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
MINUTE ORDER 02-67
9. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None
10. PUBLIC HEARING -
- Public hearing on appeal of a decision made by the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) to deny a Sign Permit Application for a new monument sign with multiple-tenant listings at a new service station located at 699 El Camino Real;
Principal Planner Jany explained the background on the appeal showing the proposed signage and pointing out that the subject of the appeal is the monument sign in the planter area. He stated the lot is substandard in size, and the use permit was granted on the basis that the applicant obtain an Architectural Permit and meet all the standards. Mr. Jany continued with the presentation. Mr. Jany stated the ARC has approved a 7 foot sign - 5 foot high with a 2 foot berm.
Mayor Claire opened the public hearing.
Rusty Firenze, Senior Vice President of Operations for the applicant, Olympian, stated the background on the ARC application. He showed photographs from various angles and explained the reasoning for the requested sign specifications.
Robert Baldwin stated the photographs appeared to be taken with a wide angle camera causing some distortion. He further stated that the confusion involves the scale presented by the applicant and may merit a site visit or the usage of the City's rendition for accuracy.
Ken Hettman stated the site has contained a gas station and bus stop for many years. He supported the recommendation of the ARC.
Mike Rathbun, Superior Electrical Advertising, stated the City's representation of the sign is not fair. He compared the sign to other signs in the City and stated that the issue is to provide adequate visibility for Subway and City Espresso.
Nano Maldonado stated his belief that the issue is advertisement of the businesses on the El Camino while driving north and south.
M/S Ruskin/Ira to close the public hearing. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
Council comments included acknowledgement that advance visibility is important and stated the desire for compromise on the sign.
Recess: 9:55 - 10:05 p.m.
M/S Hartnett/Jordan to approve the sign to be 6-feet high, 10-feet wide, with a 1-foot berm; to include all the esthetic accoutrements in the finished sign approved by the ARC that allows for the names of Subway and City Espresso to be included.
The motion passed by a majority roll call vote with Council Member Howard voting no.
MINUTE ORDER 02-68
11. BOARDS, COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE REPORTS -
- A. Support for Public Access to Publicly-Owned Open Space, Park Lands, Bay Frontage, and Waterways;
Council Member Jordan, Chairperson Public Land Access Committee, stated she had distributed an article regarding Cargill Lands and her belief that there are environmentalists that want to see land preserved for the future, animals protected and individuals able to appreciate the land. She stated her ultimate objective is to have all the public lands in Redwood City allow for meaningful public access. Within that desire, that the City continue to work toward opening the levees in Redwood Shores and work very hard to make sure that Bair Island does not get closed to the public. Council Member Jordan stated a second resolution was drafted and distributed at the dais. She stated the only change was in the very last paragraph and that was the resolution she was recommending Council adopt.
Public Comment:
Mike Spence pleaded with Council to show the respect that the State and Federal agencies do. He stated that there are many laws that Congress and the majority of the American public have fought hard to enact and protect. He further stated that as a City we do not need to send a message that we put public access and dogs off leash, or mountain biking, over the requirement they have as a mandate.
Ken Hettman stated he would like to see Bair Island stay as it is. He further stated that it would be helpful to have forms available at libraries to provide input to various agencies.
Ralph Nobles supported Mike Spence's comments. He stated that the resolution as presented is unacceptable because it places the City in a position of advocating a change in the use and principles of wildlife refuges. He suggested a revision to the resolution that would include in line 8, …consistent with the mission, objectives and legal obligations of the appropriate public land jurisdictions involved.
Robin Smith, President of the Sequoia Audubon Society, stated she was advocating for the birds and animals in the wildlife refuge as it exists contiguous to Redwood City. She suggested the City think carefully before passing the resolution.
Randy Olet quickly told a story of about 100 million years of history involving an oyster. He stated he is not either for or against the resolution, but supportive of the educational process that will go on to be a part of the future.
Council Member Jordan stated that there is no intention in the resolution to sidestep or skirt the law. She further stated the idea is not to go against the laws, but pursue every opportunity to include public access in some of the open space areas because including people enhances the support and increases their respect of the endangered species.
Council Member Ruskin proposed adoption of the more general resolution with the amendment to the final paragraph, line 7, as follows: …that the City will enthusiastically advocate for such access consistent with the mission and legal obligations of the City and the appropriate public land jurisdictions as access issues arise, and will put forth appropriate effort and resources to accomplish such access.
M/S Ruskin/Hartnett to adopt RESOLUTION 14425 SUPPORTING PUBLIC ACCESS TO PUBLICLY-OWNED LANDS, BAY FRONTAGE, AND WATERWAYS, AND PROMOTING PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT IN THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE HABITATS THEREIN;
The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.
12. MATTERS OF COUNCIL INTEREST -
12. A. LegislationThis sub-section involves possible discussion of City Position on Proposed Legislation Described in the League of California Cities Priority Focus Bulletin No. 04-2002. Council may direct staff to act on positions taken by Council. (Copies of League of California Cities Priority Focus available in City Clerk's Department).
12.B. Various
- i) Restoration of the San Mateo County Courthouse and Construction of the Courthouse Plaza;
City Manager Everett stated that similar legislation previously passed provided a benefit to the City of approximately $935,000.00 in park funds from that bond.
Recommendation:
Support Redwood City becoming the Lead Agency for the Restoration of the Historic San Mateo County Courthouse and Courthouse Plaza, and investigate further, the funding options;This item was continued to the meeting of March 25, 2002.
13. CLOSED SESSION - Adjourn to Closed Session.
14. ADJOURNMENT - 11:25 p.m.
M/S Jordan/Hartnett to adjourn until the next meeting of March 25, 2002. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia S. Howe, CMC
City Clerk
Copyright © 2002. The City of Redwood City. All rights reserved.