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HomeMy WebLinkAbout030513-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 5, 2013, at 5:00 P.M. PRESENT Pete Aguilar, Mayor Paul Foster, Mayor Pro Tem Jon Harrison, Councilmember Bob Gardner, Councilmember Pat Gilbreath, Councilmember ABSENT: None STAFF Enrique Martinez, City Manager; Dan McHugh, City Attorney; Sam Irwin, City Clerk; Robert Dawes, City Treasurer; Carl Baker, Public Information Officer; Jeff Frazier, Fire Chief; Mark Garcia, Police Chief; Danielle Garcia, Interim Chief Information Officer; Fred Mousavipour, Municipal Utilities and Engineering Director; Fred Cardenas, Quality of Life Director; Tina Kundig, Finance Director; Oscar Orci, Development Services Director; Debbie Scott-Leistra, Human Resources Director Mayor Aguilar called the meeting to order. LATE BREAKING ITEM: On motion of Mayor Pro Tem Foster, seconded by Councilmember Gardner, the City Council unanimously agreed to add the following "late breaking"item to the Closed Session agenda: 1. Conference with legal counsel: Anticipated Litigation — Government Code §54956.9(b)(2)(A)—One Case The Mayor offered those present the opportunity to provide public comment on any item on the agenda for the closed session. PUBLIC COMMENT: None forthcoming. CLOSED SESSION: 1. Conference with legal counsel: Existing Litigation - Government Code §54956.9(a) - Two Cases a. City of Redlands v. Verizon California, Inc., et al., San Bernardino Superior Court Case No. CIVDS 1205452 March 5,2013 Page 1 b. Johnny Chadwick, et al. v. City of Redlands, et al., San Bernardino Superior Court Case No. CIVDS 1111102 2. Conference with legal counsel: Anticipated Litigation - Government Code §54956.9(b) a. One Case: Facts and circumstances — Threat of litigation by Denny Shorett relating to a dispute of property ownership and maintenance The meeting reconvened at 6:05 P.M. with an invocation by Mayor Pro Tem Foster followed by the pledge of allegiance to the American flag. CLOSED SESSION REPORT: Based on the assumption implied in the meeting agenda, no reportable action was taken by the City Council during closed session. PRESENTATIONS: Redlands Animal Shelter —Animal Control Volunteers Cyndy Dunham and Juan Nunez introduced "Clara", a four-year old female Chihuahua mix, who is available for adoption, with thirty-nine other dogs and twenty-five cats, at the Redlands Animal Shelter. Ms. Dunham informed the Council thirty-three dogs and twenty-one cats have been adopted since the last City Council meeting. Fire Department Recognition — Capt Bill Conway, Engineer Josh Hannan, and Firefighter Paramedic Steve Leverette, representing the Professional Firefighters Association and the Redlands Fire Department, received recognition from Robert Visconti and Sherri Laffey of the Burn Institute of the Inland Empire for the Department's participation in the "Give Burns the Boot" campaign to help burn victims. For the second year in a row, the Redlands Fire Department received the perpetual trophy for being the largest contributor to Burn Institute fundraising. Solar Power— Bambi Tran, of Grid Alternatives, a nonprofit organization that brings the benefits of solar power to those who need it most, presented an overview of the organization's programs designed to bring the power of solar electricity and energy efficiency to low-income homeowners, and to provide community members with training and hands-on experience with renewable energy technologies. ANNUAL COMMISSION REPORT: Traffic and Parking Commission — Luis Estrada, Chairman of the Traffic and Parking Commission, reviewed the responsibilities and activities of the Commission during 2012 and highlighted areas of interest for the coming year. March 5,2013 Page 2 The Commission recommends to the City Council approval of traffic control devices and parking zones. Issues associated with the Pavement Accelerated Repair Implementation Strategy (PARIS), traffic calming (restriping), and bike lanes will occupy the Commission's time in 2013. PUBLIC COMMENT: Palm Fronds —Arlen Einertson proposed moving the responsibility for picking up street tree palm fronds from the Parks Maintenance to the Solid Waste Department to provide more manpower to address the problem. Sustainability Awareness — Phil Courtney, of the Redlands Sustainability Network, invited everyone to attend the Sustainability Festival to be held on March 9 at 11:00 A.M. at the University of Redlands Lewis Hall. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes - On motion of Mayor Pro Tem Foster, seconded by Councilmember Gardner, the minutes of the regular meeting of February 20, 2013 and the joint special meeting of February 26, 2013 were approved as submitted. Proclamation - On motion of Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Foster, the City Council unanimously approved a proclamation declaring March 2013 as National Nutrition Month. Proclamation - On motion of Mayor Pro Tem Foster, seconded by Councilmember Gardner, the City Council unanimously approved a proclamation declaring March 2013 as Regional Symphonic Music Month. Fee Waiver—On motion of Mayor Pro Tem Foster, seconded by Councilmember Gardner, the City Council unanimously approved a request from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for a waiver of all fees for City services associated with the Great Strides Walk to be held April 27, 2013. Resolution No. 7255 —Energy Partnership—On motion of Mayor Pro Tem Foster, seconded by Councilmember Gardner, the City Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 7255 and an amendment to the City of Redlands Energy Leader Partnership Program agreement with Southern California Edison dated August 31, 2012. The amendment continues the agreement through December 31, 2014. Resolution No. 7257 —Grant Application—On motion of Mayor Pro Tem Foster, seconded by Councilmember Gardner, the City Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 7257 authorizing an application to the State of California Cal- Recycle Household Hazardous Waste Discretionary Grant. March 5,2013 Page 3 COMMUNICATIONS Day of Service — Mayor Pro Tem Foster introduced a team of representatives from the Redlands Service Club Council (RSCC) and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (The Mormons). Rose Palmer, Vice President of the RSCC reviewed the accomplishments of previous Helping Hands Days of Service. Max Fisher, The Mormons' Service Day Project Manager presented an overview of all the projects to be accomplished at Heritage Park on April 27, 2013 as a day of community service performed in celebration of the 125th Anniversary of the City of Redlands' incorporation. Mormon State President Michael Strong said the Church appreciates the trust being placed in them to take on such an endeavor and he looks forward to the opportunity to create Heritage Park. As public comment, several residents as well as representatives from the Grove School, Montessori in Redlands and the University of Redlands expressed support for the projects. Significant discussion centered on the need to address the funding requirements to operate and maintain the Park after its completion. On motion of Mayor Pro Tem Foster, seconded by Councilmember Gardner, the City Council unanimously approved the expenditure, not to exceed $100,000, for the materials required to support the Helping Hands community-wide day of service in Heritage Park and that the funds come from the Parks and Recreation Account (2640) of the Nevada Palmetto Grove sale proceeds. Response Time Analysis — Fire Chief Jeff Frazier presented an executive summary of the findings of a Redlands Fire/CONFIRE response time analysis performed by the Redlands Fire Department. The analysis found that, of the sample of calls examined, 53% of the call processing times were within 60 seconds, 81% were within 90 seconds; 55% of elapsed times from dispatch of resources to their initiating response were within 80 seconds; and 42% of the elapsed times from units indicating they are responding to time they indicate they are at the scene were within 6 minutes. Efforts are on-going to improve upon these statistics and continued monitoring will be reported to the City Council periodically. NEW BUSINESS: Utility Bill Appeal — Chris Diggs, of the Municipal Utilities and Engineering Department, introduced an appeal by Dale Rose challenging a one time spike in water consumption at his residence, procedures used to test his water meter, and a ruling in his case by the Public Utilities Appeals Board. Mr. Rose presented factors for consideration by the City Council in defense of his appeal. On motion of Mayor Pro Tem Foster, seconded by Councilmember Gardner, the City Council voted to uphold the Public Utilities Appeals Board ruling to deny a water bill adjustment request in this case. Councilmember Harrison voted No on the motion. March 5,2013 Page 4 Resolution No. 7256 — Employee Salaries — On motion of Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Foster, the City Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 7256 amending the City of Redlands Salary Resolution in response to department reorganizations. Park Rehabilitation — Councilmember Gardner introduced a proposal to install locking devices and renovate the bathrooms and at nine City of Redlands parks in an attempt to improve the condition of these bathrooms. As public comment, several residents who regularly utilize these parks described current conditions and expressed support for the proposal. On motion of Councilmember Gardner, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Foster, the City Council voted to direct staff to prepare a plan to rehabilitate the sanitation facilities at nine City of Redlands parks at an estimated cost of$386,000 and to establish an annual reserve account of $50,000 to continue the rehabilitation of the remaining facilities at all City parks and that the funds come from the Parks and Recreation Account (2640) of the Nevada Palmetto Grove sale proceeds. Councilmember Gilbreath voted No, stating she supports the plan but is opposed to the source of funding to be used for the effort. Ordinance No. 2790 — Purchasing Regulations - On motion of Mayor Pro Tem Foster, seconded by Councilmember Gardner, the City Council unanimously approved the introduction of Ordinance No. 2790 amending Chapter 2.16 of the Redlands Municipal Code relating to purchasing regulations and the sale of surplus personal property. COUNCILMEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES: Workshop Goal—As a result of one of the goals set during the workshop meeting of the City Council, the Planning Commission and the Historic and Scenic Preservation Commission on February 26, 2013, Mayor Pro Tem Foster met with representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and the Redlands Conservancy to discuss ways to combine the goals of historic preservation and economic development through adaptive reuse of existing structures in the downtown area. Sustainability Awareness —Councilmember Harrison will be a featured speaker at the Sustainability Festival to be held on March 9 at 11:00 A.M. at the University of Redlands. SCAG — Councilmember Harrison attended the Subcommittee for Active Transportation for the Southern California Associated Governments (SLAG) update to the Regional Transportation Plan which will provide the planning and funding for bikeways and pedestrian ways throughout Southern California over the coming years. March 5,2013 Page 5 Dancing with Stars—Councilmember Gilbreath reminded everyone she will be dancing at the Redlands Symphony Gala fundraiser this year and she has contribution voting slips in her purse. Healthy Redlands—Councilmember Gilbreath invited everyone interested to attend an organizational meeting being held in the City Council Chambers on March 27, 2013 at 4:OOP.M. to breathe new life into the Healthy Redlands program. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further action required, Mayor Aguilar adjourned the meeting at 8:40 P.M. The next regular meeting of the City of Redlands City Council will be held on March 19, 2013. March 5,2013 Page 6