REDWOOD CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

March 25, 2002

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 25, 2002

The City Council Meeting and Redevelopment Agency Meeting were called to order simultaneously. The Redevelopment Agency Meeting began immediately following Matters of Council Interest (Section 12).

1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 p.m.

2. ROLL CALL

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

Council Members Absent: Hartnett and Jordan

Staff Present: City Manager Everett, Public Works Services Director/Assistant City Manager Ingram, City Clerk Howe, City Attorney Yamamoto, Assistant City Attorney Brower, Administrative Secretary Dale, Interim Community Development Services Director Liedstrand, Planning and Redevelopment Manager Church, Community Development Services Manager Patterson, Traffic Engineer Haygood, Volunteer Balsamo

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Richard S. Claire, Mayor

4. INVOCATION - Dennis Logie, Sequoia Christian Church

5. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY - None

6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS -

Robert Hoffman, spoke about an appeal on a non discretionary permit to operate a large family child care home. He asked that the Council consider rescheduling the hearing from April 8 to April 29.

Andrew Frisch, representing Redwood City International, announced and invited Council to celebrate the culture of Sister City Colima, Mexico by attending the Cinco de Mayo Event to be held on Thursday, May 2 at the Veterans Memorial Center at 5:00 p.m. For further information, interested persons may call 363-2423.

Claire Der Torossian, speaking on behalf of the Bay Shore Lyric Opera Company, distributed packets of information on the organization and indicated a contribution is being requested toward the rental of the Fox Theatre.

Kathy Kirkbride, representing D'asaro Restaurant, asked to be included in the Jazz concert series planning process.

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 Howard/Ira to waive reading of the Consent Calendar except the ordinances by title, adopt the resolutions and the ordinances, and approve other items. The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote by those present, with Council Members Hartnett and Jordan absent; Council Member Ruskin abstaining on Item 7.4A.

7.1   Section - Motions

A. Motion to approve an Agreement for Consulting Geotechnical Observation and Testing Services for the Roosevelt Avenue Reconstruction Project Phase II (Bay Area Geotechnical Group);

MINUTE ORDER 02-69

B. Motion to approve Agreement for Engineering and Landscape Architectural Design Services for the Spinas Park Improvement Project (Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc.);

MINUTE ORDER 02-70

C. Motion to approve Agreement for Engineering Design Services for the Redwood Shores Sewer Pump Stations Nos. 1 & 3 Improvement Project (Nolte Associates)

MINUTE ORDER 02-71

D. Motion to approve the proposed changes to the City's Investment Policy;

MINUTE ORDER 02-72

(A revised Investment Policy page 5 of 6 was submitted and approved in this motion)

E. Motion to approve Final Acceptance - BCDC Observation Decks with Access Walk Project (Waring Construction) and authorize the release of bonds and retention;

MINUTE ORDER 02-73

7.2   Section - Agreements/Resolutions -

A. RESOLUTION 14426 REQUESTING SAN MATEO COUNTY LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION APPROVAL OF PROPOSED WATER SERVICE EXTENSION;

B. RESOLUTION 14427 ENDORSING APPLICATION FOR AN URBAN STREAMS RESTORATION GRANT AND DETERMINING APPROPRIATE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT DOCUMENT, CONDITIONALLY ACCEPTING GRANT IF OFFERED AND DESIGNATING A CONTRACT MANAGER AND FISCAL AGENT;

C. RESOLUTION 14428 APPROVING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE REVOCABLE PERMIT FOR OPERATION OF A FARMERS MARKET;

(Council Member Howard stated that the Kiwanis Farmers Market is opening earlier this year, on Saturday, April 6 through November.)

D. RESOLUTION 14429 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES WITH CH2MHILL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS FOR THE REDWOOD SHORES BAYFRONT SPECIFIC PLAN;

7.3   Section - Claims and Warrants

A. Reject the following claims: John Young claim no. 1971; claim of Robert Sutten no. 1996; claim of Gary Fontana no. 1997; and claim of Hui Zhang claim no. 1998 as submitted;

MINUTE ORDER 02-74

A. Approve warrants dated through March 25, 2002 and usual and necessary payments through April 1, 2002;

MINUTE ORDER 02-75

7.4   Section - Ordinances (2nd Reading)

A. ORDINANCE 2223 AMENDING CONTRACT BETWEEN THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION OF CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDWOOD CITY (first reading on 03/11/02);

B. ORDINANCE 2224 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 (first reading on 03/11/02)

8. STAFF REPORTS - None

9. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None

10. PUBLIC HEARING - None

11. BOARDS, COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE REPORTS - None

12. MATTERS OF COUNCIL INTEREST -

12.A. Various -

1. Election Savings;

   Council Member Pierce explained that the submitted ideas for expending the $35,000.00 savings were placed on a spreadsheet according to Council priorities. She suggested that the boards, committees and commissions be used as a vehicle to address some of the concerns brought up by community members. She further explained that due to Council Member Hartnett's absence, he had forwarded his thoughts on the distributions.

   Council Member Pierce proposed the following distribution:

   • $16,000.00 - Civic Cultural Commission (Jazz in the Plaza)
   • $12,000.00 - Housing and Human Concerns Committee (specific emergency needs)
   • $3,000.00 - Pride and Beautification Committee (city trees)
   • $4,000.00 - Youth and Education (purchase of books)

   Council questions and comments were discussed.

   Public Comment:

   Mike O'Brien, Historic Resources Advisory Committee, stated his committee is requesting funds for Downtown walking tours for seventh graders as part of Historic Preservation Week. He stated that this year, the program is targeted toward all seventh graders in Redwood City for a total of 850 students and 50 volunteers. He stated that Safeway has quoted a bulk price of $1,200.00 for refreshments.

   M/S Ira/Howard to allocate the election savings of $35,000.00 as follows:

   • $4,000.00 to the Library Board (books)
   • $3,000.00 to the Pride and Beautification Committee (trees)
   • $16,000.00 to the Civic Cultural Commission (Jazz in the Plaza and other considerations)
   • $12,000.00 to the Housing and Human Concerns Committee (school dental) with the boards, committees and commissions to report back to Council on how the funds are actually spent.

   The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote by those present.

   MINUTE ORDER 02-76

2. Restoration of the San Mateo County Courthouse and Construction of the Courthouse Plaza (item continued from 3/11/02);

   Council Member Pierce explained the recommendation and the history of the Courthouse. She stated that at this time there has been a collaboration of community members, the San Mateo County History Museum Board, the County and City. To bring the project forward, the recommendation is that the City take the lead agency status for removing the annex, working on the restoration of the exterior, creation of a plaza showcasing the building and creating a functional downtown space. She stated a number of letters have been received from the Executive Director of the Museum, the Citizens Committee, community members and the Civic Campaign.

   Public Comment:

   Robert M. Deskey, San Mateo County Historical Association, stated the Board thinks this is a splendid opportunity for a public and private partnership to promote one of the leading amenities in the County. He stated he was thanking the City and Council for the support.

   Council Member Pierce further detailed the responsibilities involved in lead agency status.

   M/S Pierce/Howard to 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 and work with the Campaign Steering Committee to do so; request the Redevelopment Agency allocate $500,000.00 to complete the design and preparation for the work.

   The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote by those present.

   MINUTE ORDER 02-77

12. B. Legislation - This sub-section involves possible discussion of City Position on Proposed Legislation Described in the League of California Cities Priority Focus Bulletin No. 10-2002 and No. 11-2002. 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).

1. Assembly Bill 2058;

   Council Member Ruskin stated that three counties are working to repair the Hetch Hetchy Water System which is in a serious state of disrepair due to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission's (SFPUC) inability or unwillingness to maintain the system. The dangers, in brief, are that in a major earthquake, the Bay Area could be without water for 20-60 days. The Bay Area Water Users Association has been working over the past several years and has gained support from key legislators Assemblymembers Papan, Simitian, Dutra and Corbett. Senators Sher and Speier have also joined the support. Council has endorsed AB 1823 that creates State mandates for the SFPUC to fix the system. Two other bills have been introduced. AB 2058 enables the 29 suburban cities and water districts to form a separate water district not for the purpose of wresting governance of the Hetch Hetchy System from the SFPUC, but for other valuable purposes. With a new district, all agencies could act as a whole to purchase additional water supplies at drought times, enhance recycling and conservation efforts and fund fair share of the capital project to fix the Hetch Hetchy System without depending on San Francisco to approve the entire portion.

   M/S Ira/Howard to approve a letter be sent and to adopt RESOLUTION 14430 IN SUPPORT FOR ASSEMBLY BILL 2058 THE BAY AREA REGIONAL WATER SUPPLY AND CONSERVATION AGENCY ACT;

   The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote by those present with Council Members Hartnett and Jordan absent.

2. Senate Bill 1870;

   Council Member Ruskin explained this bill is similar to AB 2058 and would simply provide a funding mechanism should San Francisco fail to move ahead to fund the repairs of the system.

   Public Comment:

   Janet Borgens clarified that the endorsement would be for the Senate Bill as written and any revisions would be considered at that time.

   M/S Howard/Ira to approve a letter be sent and to adopt RESOLUTION 14431 IN SUPPORT FOR SENATE BILL 1870 THE BAY AREA WATER RELIABILITY FINANCING AUTHORITY ACT;

   The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote by those present with Council Members Hartnett and Jordan absent.

12.A. Various -

3. Council Member Ruskin stated that the Habitat for Humanity opened eight more homes at the Rolison Road development and more families of the workforce can afford homes. He stated Council Member Pierce was present at the opening and the City received a plaque in appreciation of the City's partnership role in the effort.

Recess - 8:15-8:20 p.m.

RECESSED TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING

REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING (SEE SEPARATE MINUTES)

ADJOURNED THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING

RECONVENED THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

13. CLOSED SESSION - None to report.

14. ADJOURNMENT - 9:25 p.m.

M/S Ruskin/Pierce to adjourn to the regular meeting of April 1, 2002 in memory of Dan Saye who passed away on March 16, 2002. A longtime committed resident of Redwood City, representing the Downtown at the Chamber of Commerce, on the Civic Cultural Commission for five years, he lived in Redwood City for 26 years and was owner of the Lost and Found Antiques.

The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote by those present.

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia S. Howe, CMC

City Clerk

Copyright © 2002. The City of Redwood City. All rights reserved.