Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout031511-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, on March 15, 2011 at 6:00 P.M. PRESENT: Pete Aguilar, Mayor Paul Foster, Mayor Pro Tern, Jon Harrison, Councilmember Jerry Bean, Councilmember Bob Gardner, Councilmember ABSENT: None STAFF: N. Enrique Martinez, City Manager; Sam Irwin, City Clerk; Carl Baker, Public Information Officer; Jim Bueermann, Police Chief, Jeff Frazier, Fire Chief, David Hexem, Chief Information Officer; Rosemary Hoerning, Municipal Utilities and Engineering Director; Les Jolly, Interim Quality of Life Director; Tina Kundig, Finance Director/City Treasurer; Oscar W. Orci, Community Development Director; Deborah Scott-Leistra, Human Resources Director The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. with an invocation by Mayor Aguilar followed by the pledge of allegiance to the American flag. PRESENTATIONS: Redlands Animal Shelter - Volunteers Lynda Ackerman, Cyndy Dunham and Amber Houck introduced Craig, a nine week old brindle male Shepherd mix, and Betsy, a two year Lhasa apso mix, who are available for adoption at the Redlands Animal Shelter. Ms. Ackerman informed the Council thirty-nine dogs and six cats have been adopted since the last City Council meeting. Fire Department Commendation - Fire Chief Jeff Frazier presented a Certificate of Commendation to William Tice, a Yucaipa locksmith, who witnessed an automobile accident and successfully rescued the driver of the vehicle from a life threatening situation. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Appeal for Help - Lansing White described a predicament in which he had received several vehicle citations to the point where he is no longer able to pay what he owes. Chief Bueermann offered to assist the man with his problem. New Political Action Committee - Clif Cunningham and Jesse Siglow, of Reform Redlands Now, expressed dissatisfaction with the water and wastewater rate increases and called a revision of city policies. They announced their organization would be having a meeting March 28, 2011 at The Edwards Mansion to discuss issues with the community at large. March 15,2011 Page 1 CDBG Funds Allocation - Monte Stuck provided a written statement and spoke on behalf of the Meals on Wheels Program. He asked that the Program be considered for support when the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds are allocated. Storm Drain Problem - Jo Hale, of Casa de la Vista, described conditions in an alley behind her apartment building during incidents of heavy rainfall. Due to a limited capacity storm drain, flooding conditions have caused damage to the building property. Rosemary Hoerning, Municipal Utilities and Engineering Director, offered to look into the problem. Website Information - Don Wallace observed that compensation information available on the City of Redlands website is presented in a confusing format and asked that it be changed to make the data more understandable. Utility Rate Increases - Steve Rogers expressed his dissatisfaction with the Proposition 218 protest process employed to decide the fate of the proposed water and wastewater rate increase. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS REPORTS: Human Relations Commission - Don Singer, Commission Chair, introduced his fellow commissioners and presented an overview of the Commission's responsibilities and goals. Dr. Singer articulated several steps planned by the Commission to enhance public awareness: a banner, business cards, multicultural events, community forums and fundraising. The next meeting of the Human Relations Commission will be held at 5:45 P.M., March 21, 2011 at the Community Center. The public and the City Council are invited to attend. CONSENT CALENDAR: Minutes - On motion of Mayor Pro Tem Foster, seconded by Councilmember Harrison, the City Council unanimously approved the minutes of the regular meeting of March 1, 2011. Relay for Life - As a public comment, June Patterson, of the American Cancer Society, introduced her team of volunteers who would be coordinating the 12th. Annual Relay for Life and invited the City Council to provide an official to dedicate the event to be held on April 9 &10, 2011. On motion of Mayor Pro Tern Foster, seconded by Councilmember Harrison, the City Council unanimously approved a proclamation declaring Redlands a Relay for Life Community and waived all fees associated with the event. Run Through Redlands - On motion of Mayor Pro Tern Foster, seconded by Councilmember Harrison, the City Council unanimously approved a request for March 15,2011 Page 2 waiver of all fees associated with the Redlands Noon Kiwanis 28th Annual Run through Redlands to be held on April 10, 2011. Arbor Day Proclamation - On motion of Mayor Pro Tem Foster, seconded by Councilmember Harrison, the City Council unanimously approved a proclamation declaring April 30, 2011. as Arbor Day. Grant Application - On motion of Mayor Pro Tem Foster, seconded by Councilmember Harrison, the City Council unanimously approved the submission of a grant application to the to the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee/South Coast Air Quality Management District for the Local Government Match Program 2011 for the purchase of alternative fuel solid waste vehicles. As a public comment, Steve Rogers said the solid waste vehicles are too big and residents shouldn't be required to move trash cans to the street for pickup. Resolution No. 7031 -Non-Motorized Transportation - On motion of Mayor Pro Tem Foster, seconded by Councilmember Gardener, the City Council unanimously agreed the San Bernardino County Non-Motorized Transportation Plan is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and approved Resolution No. 7031 adopting the Plan. Resolution No. 7030 - Traffic Regulation ation - On motion of Mayor Pro Tem Foster, seconded by Councilmember Harrison, the City Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 7030 establishing a 30 mph speed limit on Crescent Avenue between Serpentine Drive and Ramona Drive and installing a stop sign on the south side of San Mateo Street approaching Crescent Avenue. Resolution No. 7033 - Local Emergency Status - On motion of Mayor Pro Tem Foster, seconded by Councilmember Harrison, the City Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 7033 terminating the Local Emergency Declaration validated by the City Council at a special meeting on December 23, 2010. COMMUNICATIONS: Planning Commission Workshops - Councilmember Harrison presented an idea to approach the :Planning Commission about utilizing their second regular meeting date each month to address planning and economic development issues to assist staff in moving forward in these areas. Mayor Pro Tem Foster saw this as a way to make better use of the expertise of the highly qualified and very talented people on the Commission and volunteered to work as liaison with the Planning Commission in developing the idea. Budget Priorities - Police Department - Chief Bueermann provided an overview of the :Police Department budget reductions for the past five years and the impacts thereof. He defined primary core services as patrol, investigations, March 15,2011 Page 3 multiple enforcement team, narcotics and traffic. Defined as budget cuts that went too deep, the Chief identified areas of concern in records and administrative support. Budget Priorities - Quality of Life - Les Jolly presented primary, secondary and enhanced core services for each division within the department. Discussion centered on cost savings generated by an overtime study performed within the solid waste division and the impact on daily operations of data gathering for decision making. NEW BUSINESS: Safe Routes to Schools - On motion of Councilmember Harrison, seconded by Councilmember Mayor Pro Tem Foster, the City Council unanimously agreed the agreement and construction of the Cycle 5 Safe Routes to Schools Project is exempt from further environmental review in accordance with CEQA, approved the Project plans and specifications, and awarded a contract to New Legacy Corporation to perform the work. Funding Agreement - On motion of Mayor Pro Tem Foster, seconded by Councilmember Gardner, the City Council unanimously approved a Funding Agreement between the City of Redlands and North American Biomass Company, LLC (NABC). NABC agrees to pay any costs, up to $200,000, incurred by the City in connection with specialized technical, legal and financial consultants to review NABC's project proposal. Orange Blossom Trail - On motion of Mayor Pro Tem Foster, seconded by Councilmember Harrison, the City Council unanimously approved a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the construction of a 1.7 mile segment of a Class I multi-use trail, more commonly known as the Orange Blossom Trail, and final alignment plan for the east segment of the Trail located on railroad right-of-way between University Street and Wabash Avenue. Staff was directed to file and post a Notice of Determination in accordance with City of Redlands guidelines. As a public comment, Steve Rogers said he is pleased the Orange Blossom Trail is going forward. Commission Appointments - On motion of Mayor Aguilar, seconded by Councilmember Harrison, the City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Joe R. Gonzales and Kristin Saukel to serve four year terms on. the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission ending March 1.5, 2015. Commission Appointment - On motion of Councilmember Bean, seconded by Councilmember Mayor Pro Tem Foster, the City Council unanimously approved the appointment of Evelyn Frances Maldonado to serve a four year term on the Human Relations Commission ending March 15, 2015. March 15,2011 Page 4 COUNCILMEMBER ACTIVITIES: Congressional Lobbying Efforts - Mayor Aguilar reviewed the highlights of his recent trip to Washington DC during which he visited with Congressman Lewis and the staffs of Senators Feinstein and Boxer. He mentioned a bill through the Bureau of Reclamation which may provide a funding opportunity to expand the non-potable water system for the City of Redlands. Thanks - Mayor Pro Tern Foster expressed his appreciation for all the expressions of concern and support given to him during his recent hospitalization. Confire Budge - Councilmember Bean informed the Council the Confire budget has been approved with a slight annual cost increase of about $6,000 to the City of Redlands. SANBAG and SCAG - Councilmember Harrison advised the Council of the San Bernardino Association of Governments (SANBAG) project to widen the westbound lanes of Interstate 10 in the Redlands area which is to be completed in 2014. The main efforts of the organization are focused on grade separations of area railroads and the development of an express bus service from Cal State University San Bernardino to Loma Linda Medical Center. Mr. Harrison also announced his appointment as District 6 Representative to Southern California Associated Governments (SCAG). His first meeting with that organization will be next month to discuss the Sustainable Community Strategy. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the City of Redlands City Council meeting adjourned at 8:58 P.M. The Council will meet next at a special meeting on March 17, 2011. March 15,2011 Page 5