REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 3, 2002
7:00 P.M.

1. CALL TO ORDER – 7:05 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, Interim Community Development Services Director Liedstrand, Community Development Services Manager Patterson, Project Planner Kelly, Principal Planner Jany, Civil Engineer Chang, Traffic Engineer Haygood, Volunteer Balsamo

3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Jim Hartnett, Council Member

4. INVOCATION – Hal Hads, Salvation Army

5. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY - None

6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS

Elizabeth Travers spoke of the decision of the Civic Cultural Commission decision in May to increase the number of concerts at Stafford Park to eight, every Wednesday during the summer instead of every other Wednesday. She stated, that last year it was suggested that either Red Morton Park or Sequoia High School campus be used as the venue. She referred to various issues arising from last year’s concerts and submitted copies of correspondence and documents for Council Members. She requested that the matter be placed on the Council agenda the next week in order to take action against the Civic Cultural Commission’s decision and stated various possibilities for consideration.

Mary Morrissey Parden, as an individual and not on behalf of any organizations, spoke about a proliferation of signs in Redwood Shores, particularly on the weekend. She presented samples of signs such as those of Fully Alive Community Church and the Pescadero Apartments that are placed on the parkways. She requested that the sign ordinance be enforced more strictly on the weekends.

Nita Spangler requested that the Council study and consider a much needed revision of the tree preservation ordinance and the process that City employees follow to carry it out. Ms. Spangler submitted a copy of a letter previously sent to Mayor Claire. She stated her second request is a grant of permission to remove a tree which is one of many on her one-acre home site. She cited reasons for removing the tree that included location, crowding of other trees’ roots, and extensive damage to her entry and driveway. In summary, she appealed the decision, requested a reconsideration and permission to cut the tree.

Pam Hitchcock spoke on behalf of 70 riders of the SamTrans Express Service (PX/RX), which provides commuter service from Palo Alto to San Francisco, Monday through Friday. She stated this is the possible option for Redwood City commuters such as herself who do not live within walking distance of the Caltrain station. After making stops along El Camino, Brewster, Whipple and Veterans, the RX gets on the freeway and drives directly to San Francisco via 101. She stated that she works at the Civic Center and that the system provides almost door to door service. Due to budget problems, SamTrans is proposing to eliminate the RX service, by combining it with two other express routes. This would increase the commute time to 3-4 hours per day. She further stated that if SamTrans proceeds with this proposal there will be no express service from Redwood City to San Francisco at all. She stated that the public hearing on this matter is scheduled for Wednesday, June 12 at 3:00 p.m. in San Carlos.

Joe Staudt stated he has a business on Broadway and loves the American flag, but that the flag has ruined the lighting of the sign. He further stated that the flag should be placed on a flagpole and the Redwood City sign should be lit up again. He further stated that some merchants on the 2600 block want to eliminate the freeway and see new parking put in.

7. 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 Calendar and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.

M/S Ruskin/Howard 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.

7.1 Section - Motions

A. Motion to approve the plan to modify the traffic lane and parking configuration on Broadway, between Brewster Avenue and Arguello Street, from two lanes in each direction with parallel parking, to a new configuration with one lane in each direction with mostly angled parking;
MINUTE ORDER 02-139

B. Motion to accept the Sport Field Improvement Project at Garfield Charter School, and authorize the release of bonds and retention (Robert A. Bothman);
MINUTE ORDER 02-140

C. Motion to approve contract for the 2001-2002 Asphalt Rubberized Chip Seal Project to the lowest responsible bidder, Western States Surfacing, Inc. of Modesto, California, for their low bid of $416,832.82 (Western States Surfacing, Inc.);
MINUTE ORDER 02-141

D. Motion to authorize Task Order No.4 to Waterworks Inc. extending Agreement through February 28, 2003 and increasing funding to $215,000 for environmental engineering services and implementation of the Redwood Shores Lagoon Management Plan (Waterworks Inc.); MINUTE ORDER 02-142

7.2 Section - Resolutions

A. Changes to language in a Quit Claim Deed, and approval of an Easement Agreement for 1200 Marsh Road (State Farm Automobile Insurance Company);

1) Approve the revised language in the Quit Claim Deed;
2) Approve the Easement Agreement; MINUTE ORDER 02-143
3) Adopt a Resolution rescinding Resolution No. 10309 (adopted 8/18/86):

RESOLUTION 14443 APPROVING THE EASEMENT AGREEMENT FOR 1200 MARSH ROAD, REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA; APPROVING THE REVISED LANGUAGE IN THE QUITCLAIM DEED; AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION 10309 (STATE FARM AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY 1200 MARSH ROAD, REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA);

B. RESOLUTION 14444 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NO. 31 TO AGREEMENT RELATING TO SEWAGE TRANSMISSION, TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL; AND CONSENTING TO ANNEXATION OF CERTAIN TERRITORY TO THE EMERALD LAKE HEIGHTS SEWER MAINTENANCE DISTRICT;

7.3 Section - Claims and Warrants

A. Reject the claims of Shasa Barbour no. 2010, and the claim of Richard Valley no. 2011 as submitted;
MINUTE ORDER 02-144

B. Approve warrants dated through June 3, 2002 and usual and necessary payments through June 10, 2002 ;
MINUTE ORDER 02-145

7.4 Section - Ordinances (2nd reading)

A. ORDINANCE 2226 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF REDWOOD CITY AND JEFF OPFER, AUTHORIZED AGENT FOR AND ON BEHALF OF ROY E. OPFER AND MARGARET L. OPFER, AS TRUSTEES UNDER THE TERMS OF SAID DECLARATION OF TRUST DATED SEPTEMBER 2, 1983 ("OWNER") AND MAKING CERTAIN FINDINGS WITH RESPECT THERETO (first reading on 5/6/02);

8. MATTERS OF COUNCIL INTEREST -

8. A. Legislation - This sub-section involves possible discussion of City Position on Proposed Legislation Described in the League of California Cities Priority Focus Bulletin No. 20-2002 and Bulletin No. 21-2002. 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).

Council Member Pierce asked whether the housing incentive program allocation process would affect the City and requested more information on the topic.

Council Member Ruskin reported on the progress of the State legislation dealing with forcing the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) to fix the Hetch Hetchy system. Two pieces of legislation that began in the Assembly have passed out and are making their way into the Senate. The Senate Bill has passed out of the Senate and is making its way to the Assembly. He stated that there was an amendment placed on AB 1823 by the Appropriations Committee which could create dangerous loopholes. Work toward modifying the amendment will occur in the coming weeks.

8. B. Various-

i) Schedule of interviews including Council meeting time changes as necessary for Boards, Committees and Commissions;

Public Comment:
Nita Spangler asked that Council consider compatibility between staff and the committees when making appointments, and stated that appointees should be experienced and willing to gain experience in the position.

Consensus by Council was to conduct interviews beginning on June 10, to include a later starting time (8:30 P.M.) for the regular Council meeting that night. June 24 to be devoted exclusively to interviews and the remainder of interviews to be conducted prior to regular Council meetings.
MINUTE ORDER 02-146

ii) Term limits - City Boards, Committees and Commissions;

Mayor Claire stated a decision was not to be made on term limits at this time, but that the item might be placed on a future agenda for consideration.

Comments by Council included the following: A desire to give those wishing to serve the City as many opportunities as possible in order to make for better leaders and a more informed citizenry. The four-term limit for Council was mentioned as a statement of the importance that might be applied to the boards, committees and commissions. A comment that both Council and boards, committees and commissions should all have a two-term limit was made. Consideration of term limits should be in the context of understanding the terms currently in existence and the staggering terms of office.

Consensus by Council was to return in the fall with a report on the topic.
MINUTE ORDER 02-147

8.C. Council Member Ruskin stated he had received a letter from Senator Barbara Boxer explaining her plan to introduce the California Affordable Quantity and Quality Water Act, which would provide Federal support for projects that recycle, reuse and improve California’s water supply. The Bill includes groundwater storage, water recycling, reclamation and desalination projects and Senator Boxer is requesting support of the legislation. He stated that the legislation could be very helpful to California, the region and the City as we are carrying forward a recycling project.

8.D. Council Member Pierce requested that Clyde Morris of San Francisco Bay Wildlife Preserve be invited to give a presentation on Bair Island.

Recess - 8:45-9:00 p.m.

9. STAFF REPORTS -

A. Housing and Traffic Demand Impacts of Non-Residential Development;
(Item continued from 5/20/02)
Community Development Director Liedstrand explained the subject is a request for consideration of a concise study of existing data on the jobs/housing ratio in Redwood City, the Peninsula and the Bay Area. The study would involve the impacts of those ratios on housing availability, affordability, and on traffic in Redwood City and in the region. Actions that a city might take to address these impacts would be provided.

M/S Hartnett/Pierce to authorize a Housing Alternatives Study as outlined in the staff report. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.
MINUTE ORDER 02-148

B. Maintenance Agreement with CalTrans for new Highway 101 Bicycle Path;

Public Works Services Director Ingram stated that this item and the next are closely related with the first to authorize a maintenance agreement with CalTrans. He further stated that the second item is a compensation agreement where the City would agree to pay CalTrans for all the costs of improvements to install a transmission line for recycled water in the future underneath the bike path.

Council comments included the expectation to work together with San Carlos constructively and positively in advancing the project even further.

M/S Ruskin/Howard to adopt:
RESOLUTION 14445 APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR MAINTENANCE OF NEW BICYCLE PATH ADJACENT TO HIGHWAY 101, WHIPPLE AVENUE ON-RAMP TO SKY WAY FRONTAGE ROAD

The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

C. Contribution Agreement with CalTrans for Highway 101 Bicycle Path - Recycled Water Line Cost Share;

M/S Ruskin/Howard to adopt:
RESOLUTION 14446 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDWOOD CITY APPROVING A CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR HIGHWAY 101 BICYLCLE PATH-RECYCLED WATER LINE COST SHARE

The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

10. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS – None

11. PUBLIC HEARINGS –

A. Appeal of a sign permit denial by the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) for an exception (per Section 3.79 (c ) of the Redwood City Sign Ordinance) to permanently keep a nonconforming freestanding sign at 1630 Broadway (Redwood General Tire Company);

City Manager Everett stated that the appellant had stated he was not interested in attending the hearing.

Principal Planner Jany explained that the current sign ordinance regulates the maximum height of the freestanding sign and this sign exceeds that regulation by approximately ten (10) feet. Nonconforming signs are required to be amortized over a period of seven years. Redwood General Tire Company applied for an exception to the sign ordinance to keep the existing 26-foot tall sign beyond June of 2006. Mr. Jany stated the Architectural Review Committee was unable to make findings to allow the sign to be kept and felt that keeping the sign would cause a serious precedent for the City.

Mayor Claire opened the public hearing. There was no public comment.

M/S Howard/Ira to close the public hearing. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

M/S Ruskin/Pierce to uphold the decision of the ARC to amortize an existing 26-foot tall freestanding sign over a 7-year period (meaning the sign would have to be removed by June, 2006);

CONVENE TO THE JOINT MEETING OF THE GENERAL IMPROVEMENT
DISTRICT BOARD AND COUNCIL

B. GID 1-64 Development Agreement Temporary Extension;
(Item continued - Public Hearing open/closed on 5/20/02)

Senior Civil Engineer Chang stated that in general, conceptually, the attorney representing the Redwood Shores property agreed with the need to extend the agreement. However, due to the technical difficulty in contacting those involved in Japan to complete the paperwork by the expiration date of June 23, 2002, the proposal is for a 60-day temporary extension in order to preserve the current development agreement. After completion of all the necessary documents, this item will be brought back for consideration of the formal 3-year extension.

Mayor Claire opened the public hearing. There was no public comment.

M/S Jordan/Ruskin to:
INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF FOURTH AMENDMENT TO DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH REDWOOD SHORES PROPERTIES [GID 1-64] and accept the Davit Lane parcel.

The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

ADJOURN THE GENERAL DISTRICT BOARD MEETING GID 1-64

RECONVENE THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

12. BOARDS, COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE REPORTS - None

13. CLOSED SESSION - No action to report.

14. ADJOURNMENT – 9:50 p.m.

M/S Jordan/Pierce to adjourn until the next special meeting of June 10, 2002. The motion passed by a unanimous voice vote.

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia S. Howe, CMC
City Clerk