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HomeMy WebLinkAbout040197-cc_CCv0001.pdf MINUTES of a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Redlands held in the Council Chambers, Civic Center, 35 Cajon Street, at 3:00 P.M. on April 1, 1997. PRESENT Swen Larson, Mayor Pat Gilbreath, Mayor Pro Tem William E. Cunningham, Councilmember Gilberto Gil, Councilmember Geni A. S. Banda, Councilmember Gary M. Luebbers, City Manager Daniel J. McHugh, City Attorney Lorrie Poyzer, City Clerk Beatrice Sanchez, :Deputy City Clerk Michael Reynolds, City Treasurer Marjie Pettus, Administrative Services Director Jeffrey L. Shaw, Community Development Director Steven M. Chapman, Finance Director Mel Enslow, Fire Chief Gary G. Phelps, Municipal Utilities Director Lewis W. Nelson, Police Chief Ronald C. Mutter,Public Works Director Joshua Lowe, Redlands Daily Facts Valeria Godines, Press Enterprise Alisa Slaughter, San Bernardino County Sun ABSENT None The meeting was opened with an invocation by Councilmember Cunningham followed by the pledge of allegiance. Mayor Larson extended condolences and sympathy from the City Councilmembers and staff to City Manager Luebbers for the recent death of his father. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes - On motion of Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by Council- member Gil, the minutes of the regular meeting of March 18, 1997,. were unanimously approved as submitted. Bills and Salaries - On motion of Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by Councilmember Gil,bills and salaries were unanimously ordered paid. April 1, 1997 Page 1 Planning Commission Actions - On motion of Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by Councilmember Gil, the report of the Planning Commission meeting held on March 25, 1997, was unanimously acknowledged as received. Regional Transportation Improvement Plan Project Submittals - Public Works Director Mutter and Assistant Public Works Director Laaninen explained that on a two-year cycle, municipalities are required to submit projects for inclusion in the Regional Transportation Improvement Plan (RTIP). The project list is submitted to San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANDBAG). SANBAG compiles project lists from all area jurisdictions and submits the area-wide list to Southern California Associated Governments (SLAG) for inclusion in the Regional Transportation Improvement Plan. The RTIP is sent by SCAG to the Federal Highway Administration for approval. All regionally significant projects are analyzed as a group for air quality conformance. If a regionally significant, capacity enhancing project is to be constructed within the following two to four years, the project must be included in the RTIP and must have been a part of the air quality conformance study. For this reason, several projects which would be constructed as development requirements associated with the proposed mall projects are included as RTIP submittals. If they were not included, and then were built before the next RTIP cycle, they could be subject to challenge as not conforming to air quality standards. In addition, projects which will utilize Federal highway funds must be in the RTIP. For Redlands, that would include the Orange Street bridge, and also the Alabama Street bridge, if the City Council decides to continue its inclusion in the RTIP. The additional million dollars included in this project listing is for the Eureka Street/Metrolink Station Project which is considered a regional project. Councilmember Cunningham had problems with the priorities as he felt the Colton/Wabash Avenues intersection was a crucial project as well as construction of Wabash Avenue from the I-1.0 to Fifth Avenue. John James, President of the Chamber of Commerce, strongly urged the City Council support the Alabama Street bridge construction. Councilmember Larson requested the discussions continue on the north/south routing at California Street and Mountain View. Councilmember Gilbreath moved to approve the project listing, as presented, for inclusion in the 1998-2005 Regional Trans- portation Improvement Plan (RTIP). Motion seconded by Councilmember Gil and carried with Councilmembers Cunningham and Banda voting NO. Comprehensive Community Police Traffic Safety Grant - On motion of Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by Councilmember Gil, the City Council unanimously authorized a modification to the Comprehensive Community Policing Traffic Safety Grant contract for the purpose of adding a full-time Traffic Clerk during the remaining 20 months of the grant. Police Chief Nelson noted the Office of Traffic Safety will provide 100 percent of the position's April 1, 1997 Page 2 salary and the Police Department will pay all benefits from the existing 30-day impound fee account. HUD Expenditures - On motion of Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by Councilmember Gil, the City Council unanimously approved the request for concurrence regarding Housing and Urban Development(HUD) expenditures in Redlands and authorized the Mayor to execute support documents. Independent Contractor Agreement - Recreation Division - On motion of Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by Councilmember Gil, the City Council unanimously approved independent contractor agreements between the City of Redlands Recreation Division and (1) Dana Lee Mathey, Tennis for Juniors; (2) Debbie Turley, Showmanship for Children; (3) Deborah Anderson, Children's Dance and Adult Dance; and (4) Jeanette T. Knight, ballet and tap dance classes. Agreement - Los Gauchos Soccer Club - At the request of members of the Board of Directors for the Los Gauchos Soccer Club, this item was continued to the evening session. Minor Subdivision No. 220 - Time Extension - Wilma Van Der Weide - This item was withdrawn from the agenda-- no action necessary. COMMUNICATIONS Appointment - Recreation Commission - Mayor Larson moved to appoint Dorothy Lightner Katich to the Recreation Commission to complete the term vacated by Sylvia Alcantar to June 30, 1998. Motion seconded by Council- member Gilbreath and carried unanimously. Appointments - Human Relations Commission - Councilmember Gilbreath moved to appoint David M. Diver to the Human Relations Commission for a four year term to April 1, 2001. Motion seconded by Councilmember Banda and carried unanimously. Councilmember Banda moved to appoint Leonora Jimenez-Sims to the Human Relations Commission to a four year term to April 1, 2001. Motion seconded by Councilmember Gilbreath and carried with Councilmember Gil voting NO. Funds - Electrical Restructuring - City Manager Luebbers presented a letter requesting a contribution of $1,000.00 for coordination of SANBAG and the City/County Managers Technical Advisory Committee to explore electrical purchase options made possible by the recently approved electrical industry restructuring, and to analyze the effects and opportunities of electrical restructuring to SANBAG members. The Western Riverside Council of April 1, 1997 Page 3 Governments has begun analysis of electrical options. This will provide an opportunity to establish a joint committee to review this issue. It appears that this will substantially reduce the costs for the first phase analysis. Council- member Larson moved to appropriate the funds requested. Motion seconded by Councilmember Banda and carried unanimously. 1997-98 Budget - City Manager Luebbers reported a schedule has been set up for City Council hearings to review the proposed 1997-98 budget as prepared by department heads. He and Finance Director Chapman will prepare a summary and revenue projections for presentation at these hearings. He again asked the City Council for their thoughts about the $2 million Utility Users' Tax reserve and the $245,000.00 set aside for the Eureka Street house. Councilmember Gil indicated he had a problem with the process that does not include a recommendation from the City Manager; he also wanted to be accountable for these funds and expressed concern that the City Council had made a commitment for the $245,000.00. Councilmember Cunningham wanted to see the numbers before deciding what to do about the reserves; he again indicated he felt the City Council should put the Paramedic Tax on the ballot for permanence and place a tax measure on the November, 1997, ballot for a 2 percent general tax. Councilmember Larson expected to receive the City Manager's input and indicated his preference to set the $2 million aside for public safety issues and asked that staff reconstruct the history on the $245,000.00 commitment. Councilmember Gilbreath felt the money (Utility Users' Tax reserve) should be used for the purposes it was collected for and expressed concern about blending these funds with the General Fund. Council- member Banda felt the City Council was morally bound to spend the Utility Users' Tax reserve as originally proposed. Dave Eason urged the City Council to seriously consider youth sports activity programs in this budget. JOINT MEETING - CITY COUNCIL AND REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY Resolution No. 5363 - Great Neighborhoods Program - Administrative Services Director Pettus recommended approval of three participant agreements for the Great Neighborhoods Program. The participants are requesting assistance with exterior painting and/or landscaping. Staff has interviewed and verified that the homeowners do meet the program requirements. Licensed contractors have submitted a bid on each job and staff has verified all of the participating contractors' requirements. Councilmember Gil moved to adopt Resolution No. 5363, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Redlands authorizing the use of low- and moderate-income housing outside the Redlands Project Area. Motion seconded by Councilmember Gilbreath and carried unanimously. (Also see Redevelopment Agency minutes dated April 1, 1997.) CLOSED SESSION April 1, 1997 Page 4 The City Council meeting recessed at 3:37 P.M. to a Redevelopment Agency meeting and reconvened at 3:44 P.M. to a closed session to discuss the following: (a) Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation - Government Code § 54956.9(a) - City of Redlands v. County of San Bernardino (Case No. SCV 28757) - Biggs v. Foster and Larson (City Attorney McHugh announced he had a conflict on interest on this matter.) (b) Conference with real property negotiator Property: Bear Valley Mutual Water Company Stock Negotiators: Michael Huffstutler, Water Resources and Utility Operations Chief, and G. Louis Fletcher, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District Under negotiation: Terms and price (c) Conference with legal counsel: Anticipated litigation - Government Code § 54956.9(b) - One case (d) Conference with labor negotiator Agency negotiator: Gary Luebbers Employee organizations: Redlands Professional Fire Fighters Association; San Bernardino Public Employees Association; Redlands Police Officers Association; and Redlands Association of Safety Management Employees (e) Conference with labor negotiator Agency negotiators: Councilmembers Pat Gilbreath and William E. Cunningham Employee organization: Redlands Association of Management Employees The City Council meeting reconvened at 7:00 P.M. There was no report from the closed session. PRESENTATIONS Proclamation - National Victims Week - Mayor Larson presented a proclama- tion to Rose Madsen declaring the week of April 13-19, 1997, as National Victims Week and wished the Families and Friends of Murder Victims continued success in helping others deal with the hurt of losing a loved one to murder. Families and Friends of Murder Victims was organized to provide ongoing emotional support to anyone, family member of friend, who is working April 1, 1997 Page 5 through the trauma-grief of losing a loved one to murder or the violence of an attempted murder. Proclamation - Valley Preparatory School Anniversary - Mayor Larson presented Mary Jo Holmes and a Valley Prep student a proclamation in honor of their 40th anniversary and congratulated Valley Preparatory School for their fine contribution to the community and wished them many added years of success. Valley Preparatory School is an independent, coeducational, non- denominational school offering a college preparatory curriculum to qualified students in pre-kindergarten through the eighth grade. PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinance No. 2344 - Zone Change No. 363 - Public hearing was advertised for this time and place to consider Ordinance No. 2344, an ordinance adopting Zone Change No. 363, a change of zone from I-P (Industrial) District to M-1 (Light Manufacturing) District for land generally located west of Tennessee Street and south of Park Avenue, as recommended by the Redlands Planning Commission. Community Development Director Shaw said the Police Department initiated the proposed zone change and related conditional use permit in order to facilitate the development of a storage yard at 161.5 Park Avenue. Mayor Larson declared the meeting open as a public hearing for any questions or comments concerning this change of zone. None being forthcoming, the public hearing was declared closed. Councilmember Gilbreath moved to approve the Environmental Review Committee's Negative Declaration for Zone Change No. 2344 and Conditional Use Permit No. 651 and directed staff to file and post a Notice of Determination in accordance with the City's guidelines. Motion seconded by Councilmember Banda and carried unanimously. Ordinance No. 2344, an ordinance of the City of Redlands amending Title 18 of the Redlands Municipal Code by adopting a revised land use zoning plan as part of the Official Land Use Zoning Map and effecting Zone Change No. 363, was given its first reading of the title by City Clerk Poyzer, and on motion of Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by Councilmember Banda, further reading of the ordinance text was unanimously waived, and Ordinance No. 2344 was introduced with unanimous Council approval and laid over under the rules with second reading scheduled for April 15, 1997. Ordinance No. 2335 - Second Dwelling Units - Public hearing was advertised for this time and place to consider Ordinance No. 2335, an ordinance of the City of Redlands amending Article X of the Redlands Municipal Code relating to second residential units in single family residential zones to comply with State law. Community Development Director Shaw explained the proposed changes April 1, 1997 Page 6 which will allow the owners of a single family dwelling to build a "second dwelling unit" subject to approval of a conditional use permit for the exclusive use of the elderly (over 62 years of age) or handicapped. Councilmembers requested that an annual report be required from the property owner as to the status of the tenant; that a minimum be established as to the size of the unit; and that kitchen parameters be included in the ordinance. Mayor Larson declared the meeting open as a public hearing for any questions or comments concerning this ordinance. None being forthcoming, the public hearing was unanimously continued to April 1.5, 1997, on motion of Councilmember Cunningham, seconded by Councilmember Gil, at which time a revised ordinance will be presented. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Ordinance No. 2339 - Citrus Village Sign Standards - Ordinance No. 2339, an ordinance of the City of Redlands amending Ordinance No. 2078 relating to Specific Plan No. 41 of the City of Redlands (Citrus Village Shopping Center), and modifying the standards for signage, was given its second reading of the title by City Clerk Poyzer, and on motion of Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by Councilmember Banda, further reading of the ordinance text was unanimously waived, and Ordinance No. 2339 was adopted by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers Gilbreath, Cunningham, Gil, Banda•, Mayor Larson NOES: None ABSENT: None Funds - Redlands Municipal Airport- Assistant Public Works Director Peter A. Laaninen explained that this item was considered by the City Council in September and October, 1996, and continued until after the vote on the Utility Users' Tax. The City of Redlands has received approval of a request for a State Aviation Grant for a project to construct steel slag shoulders along the entire length of the runway and taxiway at Redlands Municipal Airport. Slag would be placed 12 feet wide along the shoulders at a depth of three inches. The estimated cost of the project is $26,000.00; the maximum match by the City would be $2,889.00 which would be recovered in the course of one year because there should be no need for weed spraying and the need for grading will be minimal. Councilmember Larson moved to authorize the application for a Caltrans Aeronautics Program Acquisition and Development Grant in the amount of$26,000.00 for the installation of slag shoulders on the runway and taxiway at Redlands Municipal Airport and to allocate $2,889.00 for the local match amount from the Special Contractual Services line item in the approved FY 1996-97 Aviation Operating Fund budget. Motion seconded by Council- member Cunningham and carried unanimously. April 1, 1997 Page 7 NEW BUSINESS Ordinance No. 2347 - Utility Users' Tax - Ordinance No. 2347, an ordinance of the City of Redlands deleting Chapter 3.64 of the Redlands Municipal Code and rescinding the Utility Users' Tax, was read by title only by City Clerk Poyzer, and on motion of Councilmember Larson, seconded by Councilmember Cunningham, further reading of the ordinance text was waived, and Ordinance No. 2347 was and laid over under the rules with second reading scheduled for April 15, 1997, with Councilmember Gilbreath voting NO. Charter City - As directed by the City Council at the February 18, 1997, City Council meeting, City Manager Luebbers presented the following information on charter cities: City of Loma Linda's two-page charter; City of San Bernardino's 11-page charter; the proposed charter of the City of Westminster which was on the February, 1997, ballot and failed; an analysis provided by Doug Ayres of Management Services Institute entitled Specific Advantages and Disadvantages of a Home Rule City Charter over General Law City Status dated April 6, 1994. Stating he was not prepared to discuss these materials at this time, Councilmember Larson indicated he desired to receive and file and solicit comments on this matter. Councilmember Cunningham directed attention to a recent publication in the League of California Cities' Western City regarding "Home Rule" (January 1997) and urged Councilmembers to seriously consider changing to a charter city status to allow ourselves to govern ourselves. Councilmember Gilbreath moved to acknowledge receipt, file, solicit comments, and reschedule this matter for May 6, 1997. Motion seconded by Councilmember Larson and carried unanimously. Ambulance Transport- As directed at the November 19, 1996, Council meeting, Fire Chief Enslow presented a study outlining options of a City-run ambulance service. Several major factors have played an important part in preparing the study. Early in the study, James R. Holmes, President and Executive Officer of the Redlands Community Hospital offered to provide the Redlands Fire Department with as many as three ambulances at the startup of the program. At this time, the Redlands Community Hospital Board will not approve this program and Mr. Holmes has since withdrawn the offer. Recently, discussions have begun between Redlands Fire Department staff and Steve Madison, Vice President, Operations and Administration Director of American Medical Response (West). Two meetings have been held and discussions have now progressed to the point that the City Manager will become involved at the next meeting. Chief Enslow cited "unknowns" which continue to dominate the study: (1) On April 9, 1997, the State Supreme Court will hear arguments and render a decision on the case between the City of San Bernardino and the County of San Bernardino. The outcome of that case could have an effect on April 1, 1997 Page 8 our ability to run our own ambulance service; and (2) Federal legislation is moving the HMO's in an 'undefined" direction. There is no way to predict what the governing bodies will be asking for in the future, and we are aware that the price restructuring is driving the cost of health care payments for services down. Councilmember Cunningham felt it would be very economically effective to examine this subject further. Councilmembers concurred to request staff to accelerate this study and to bring more information into the budget review process. Agreement - Los Gauchos Soccer Club - Administrative Services Director Pettus informed Councilmembers that the Board of Directors for the Los Gauchos Soccer Club is seeking authorization to upgrade Crafton Park field by fertilizing, seeding, and maintaining the soccer field in lieu of paying field user fees. With their request, they submitted a proposed rental agreement. On behalf of Los Gauchos, Mike Poma, addressed Council urging approval of this proposal. Councilmembers reviewed the proposed rental agreement and directed staff to revise the agreement as follows: change the use of field hours to 5:00 P.M. instead of 4:00 P.M. and that the lights will be off by 10:00 P.M.; include repair and maintenance of lighting, confirm adequate insurance coverage will be provided; add a clause that would assure the field would be available to the public when not being used by Los Gauchos; and allow tem- porary fencing of the field while it is being repaired. Councilmember Cunningham then moved to approve the request submitted by Los Gauchos Soccer Club to upgrade Crafton Park Field in lieu of paying user fees and authorized a five-year lease agreement with the above mentioned changes. Motion seconded by Councilmember Banda and carried unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENTS Campaign Spending Limitation - Mr. Michael Schneider urged the City Council to address Proposition 208 (approved by the voters of California in November, 1996) provisions as to designation of limitation of campaign spending. Mayor Larson asked that this be scheduled for April 1.5, 1997.. April 1, 1997 Page 9 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the City Council meeting adjourned at 7:51 P.M. to an adjourned regular meeting to be held on Tuesday, April 15, 1997, at 8:00 A.M. in the City Council. Chambers, 35 Cajon Street, Suite 2, Redlands, California. City Clerk April 1, 1997 Page 10