HomeMy WebLinkAbout120115-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 December 1, 2015 at 5:00
P.M.
PRESENT: Paul Foster, Mayor
Jon Harrison, Mayor Pro Tem
Pat Gilbreath, Councilmember
Paul Barich, Councilmember
John James, 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, Chief Innovation
Officer; Chris Diggs, Municipal Utilities and Engineering Director; Chris
Boatman, Quality of Life Director; Tina Kundig, Finance Director; Oscar Orci,
Development Services Director; Amy Martin, Human Resources Director
Mayor Foster called the meeting to order and 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:
The meeting recessed to a closed session to discuss the following:
1. Conference with legal counsel: Anticipated Litigation- Government Code
§54956.9(d)(2) and (e)(1) One Case
2. Conference with legal counsel: Existing Litigation - Government Code
§54956.9(d)(1) Two Cases
a. Jiang Zhong Bin, et al v. City of Redlands, et al, San Bernardino Superior
Court Case No. CIVDS 1313057
b. Amanda Emmanuel v. City of Redlands, et al, San Bernardino Superior
Court Case No. CIVDS 1301030
3. Public Employee Discipline, Dismissal or Release — Government Code
§54957
4. Conference with real property negotiator—Government Code §54956.8
Property: APNs 0167-041-04, -05 and-20
Agency negotiators: N. Enrique Martinez, Chris Boatman
Negotiating party: Bryan Avilla,Newland Homes
Under negotiation: Terms for the acquisition of property by the City
December 1,2015
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The meeting reconvened at 6:03 P.M. with an invocation by Mayor Foster
followed by the pledge of allegiance to the American flag.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT:
City Attorney McHugh announced no reportable action was taken during the
closed session.
PRESENTATIONS:
Redlands Animal Shelter — Animal Control Officer Bill Miller introduced
"Peach", an eight month old female calico cat who is available for adoption along
with fifty-five other cats and thirty-three dogs. Officer Miller announced that
eleven dogs and thirty cats were adopted since the last City Council meeting.
Hearing Officer Recognition — Mayor Foster and Quality of Life Director Chris
Boatman introduced Administrative Hearing Officer Andrew Hartzell and
presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation to recognize his over two years
of volunteer service and thank him for his countless hours of preparation and
deliberation associated with mediating the City of Redlands Administrative
Citation Appeals Process.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Spark of Love — Fire Captain Bill Conway provided an overview of the
Firefighters' Spark of Love, collecting toys and sports equipment for children in
need. The drive runs until noon on Wednesday, December 23, 2015. Drop off
any new unwrapped toy or sports equipment at any Redlands Fire Station, on
Thursdays between 3:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. or Sundays between 11:00 A.M. and
1:00 P.M. Donation checks should be written to the Redlands Community
Foundation with "Spark of Love" in the memo line.
Syrian Refugees — An equal number of three speakers on either side of the issue
spoke in opposition to a United Nations program to relocate refugees from the
war in Syria and in favor of compassion and acceptance for displaced persons.
Redlands Train — Three speakers expressed their opposition to the proposed
Redlands Passenger Rail Project.
Spending Control — Adrian Asencio spoke in opposition to water rate increases
and suggested the expense for a consultant to perform the General Plan Update is
too high.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Minutes — On motion of Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by Councilmember
James, the City Council unanimously approved the minutes of the regular meeting
of November 17, 2015 and the special meeting of November 24, 2015.
December 1,2015
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Settlement Agreement - On motion of Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by
Councilmember James, the City Council approved the public disclosure of details
of an Agreement of Settlement and Release of All Claims between the City of
Redlands and Jiang Zhong Bin, et al. Under the terms of the agreement, the
parties agree to settle and dispose of disputes and controversies between the
parties associated with a motor vehicle collision that occurred on January 17,
2013, on Orange Street approximately 0.2 miles north of Pioneer Avenue. The
City of Redlands agrees to pay $399,247.29 into a Qualified Settlement Fund, the
purpose of which is to accept, hold and distribute funds paid by the City and
National Casualty Company, the City's insurance carrier, in settlement of claims
incurred with respect to a civil action pending in the San Bernardino County
Superior Court and entitled Jiang Zhong Bin, et al. v. Basambekyan, et al., Case
No. CIVDS 1313057.
Grant Application — On motion of Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by
Councilmember James, the City Council unanimously authorized an application
for a Liberty Mutual Foundation Health and Human Services Grant.
Grant Application — On motion of Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by
Councilmember James, the City Council unanimously authorized an application
for a California Wellness Foundation Grant.
Grant Application — On motion of Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by
Councilmember James, the City Council unanimously authorized an application
for a California Endowment Grant.
Grant Application — On motion of Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by
Councilmember James, the City Council unanimously authorized an application
to the Farmers Insurance Agency Community Sponsorship Fund Program— Small
Grants.
Grant Application — On motion of Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by
Councilmember James, the City Council unanimously authorized an application
for a Farmers Insurance Agency Community Sponsorship Fund Grant.
Grant Application — On motion of Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by
Councilmember James, the City Council unanimously authorized an application
for a Coca Cola Foundation Grant.
Solid Waste Advisor — On motion of Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by
Councilmember James, the City Council unanimously approved the designation
of Councilmember John "Jim" James as the City of Redlands representative to the
San Bernardino County Solid Waste Advisory Task Force, and Tim Sullivan as
the alternate representative.
Sublease Leaseback — On motion of Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by
Councilmember James, the City Council unanimously approved a sublease and
leaseback related to a License Agreement between the City of Redlands and
Verizon Wireless.
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Interfund Loans — As public comment, Arlen Einertson took issue with long
standing interfund loans among enterprise funds and the general fund and
criticized what he perceived as a tendency to raise utility rates before adequately
addressing expenditure reductions. On motion of Councilmember Gilbreath,
seconded by Councilmember James, the City Council unanimously agreed to
receive and file a report of interfund loans for fiscal year ending June 30, 2015.
NEW BUSINESS:
CDBG Administration — Janet Miller, of the Development Services Department,
summarized to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. On
motions of Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by Councilmember James, the
City Council unanimously approved substantial amendment to the City of
Redlands 2014-2015 One-Year Action Plan in accordance with the adopted
Citizen Participation Plan guidelines to include re-programming $70,000.00 from
current CDBG funds to the existing Removal of Architectural Barriers Capital
Improvement Activity.
Additional Appropriations — James Garland, of the Finance Department,
explained the need to appropriate funds to address year-end encumbrances and
carryovers. On motion of Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by
Councilmember James, the City Council unanimously approved the additional
appropriations to the FY2015-2016 Budget for the FY2014-2015 year-end
encumbrances and carryovers.
Park Land Dedication — Quality of Life Director Chris Boatman presented a
proposal from Newland Homes to dedicate park land to the City. On motion of
Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by Councilmember James, the City Council
unanimously approved the dedication of 9.37 acres of park and open space land
in lieu of development impact fees for Tentative Tract No. 18988.
Energy Action Plan — Tabitha Kevari, of the Quality of Life Department,
introduced Michael Hendrix, of Atkins North America, the consulting firm which
developed the Municipal Energy Plan. Mr. Hendrix provided an executive
summary of the Plan and identified potential savings to the City through its
implementation. As public comment, Greg Brittain and Sam Wong expressed
skepticism with the science used to develop the Plan. On motions of
Councilmember James, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Harrison, the City Council
unanimously approved adoption of the City of Redlands Municipal Energy Plan,
and determined that adoption of the Plan as a non-binding, guiding policy is
exempt from environmental review in accordance with Section 15262 of the
California Environmental Quality Act guidelines.
Trails Agreement— Tabitha Kevari, of the Quality of Life Department, explained
the need for a Common Use Agreement to facilitate further development of
recreational trails in San Timoteo Canyon. As public comment, Sherli Leonard
expressed her thanks to staff for pursuing this agreement and described the
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development of trails in San Timoteo Canyon as a step in the right direction. On
motions of Mayor Pro Tem Harrison, seconded by Councilmember Barich, the
City Council unanimously approved a Common Use Agreement between the City
of Redlands and the San Bernardino County Flood Control District for
recreational multi-use trails within the San Timoteo Canyon Creek right-of-way,
and determined that approval of the Agreement is exempt from environmental
review in accordance with Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental
Quality Act guidelines.
Zanja Concept Plan — Tabitha Kevari, of the Quality of Life Department,
introduced Sherli Leonard, Pete Dangermond, and Glenn Schmidt who provided
an overview of the conceptual plan for the Zanja Trail and Greenway Park Project
(the Plan). As public comment, Dennis Bell expressed his opinion that the Plan
is too extravagant and pointed out that no bathrooms are planned along the trail.
On motions of Mayor Pro Tem Harrison, seconded by Councilmember James, the
City Council unanimously approved the Plan, and determined that approval of the
Plan is exempt from environmental review in accordance with Section
15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines.
Resolution No. 7592 — Contemporary Club Lease —Library Director Don McCue
presented details of an opportunity for the City of Redlands to acquire an
additional facility and parking for the A.K. Smiley Library and provided an
overview of City Council assurances necessary for the accomplishment of a
proposed lease agreement between the Watchorn Lincoln Memorial Association
and The Contemporary Club. As public comment, Dennis Bell expressed
skepticism as to the costs to taxpayers associated with the acquisition. Bill
Cunningham said he is delighted with the proposed acquisition. On motions of
Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by Councilmember James, the City Council
unanimously approved Resolution No. 7592 approving Section 5.5 and Article 13
of the proposed Club House Lease between the Watchorn Lincoln Memorial
Association and The Contemporary Club, and authorized the City Attorney to
make non-substantive changes to the lease or other agreements related to the
transaction. The assurances required of the City involve providing expedited
review and approval processes and alternative meeting space for The
Contemporary Club during building renovations.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
General Plan — Mayor Foster opened the hearing and called upon Development
Services Director Oscar Orci for a report on themes developed by the General
Plan Steering Committee for the update of the Redlands General Plan. As public
comment, four speakers criticized the process to date expressing concerns the
residents' desires are not adequately represented. At the request of staff and on
motions of Councilmember Gilbreath, seconded by Councilmember James, the
City Council unanimously agreed to continue to the regular City Council meeting
of December 15, 2015, the Public Hearing for consideration of the General Plan
themes as developed by the General Plan Steering Committee to allow
December 1,2015
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accommodation of any concerns stemming from the Planning Commission review
of the themes.
COUNCILMEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES:
Mayor Pro Tem Harrison will attend a meeting of the San Bernardino Associated
Governments on December 3, 2015 and then he wished everyone a happy holiday
season because he will be gone to Portugal for vacation and will return December
29, 2015.
Councilmember James has been attending all the General Plan Update Steering
Committee meetings and enjoyed the Downtown Redlands holiday kickoff
celebration on November 21, 2015.
Councilmember Gilbreath attended a CONFIRE meeting on November 24, 2015
and an Eagle Scout ceremony for Brian Kennedy. Along with the Mayor and
Councilmember Barich, she attended the Orange Blossom Trail beautification
project on November 21, 2015. She reminded everyone there will be a Healthy
Redlands meeting on December 3, 2015 at 4:00 P.M. in the City Council
Chambers.
Councilmember Barich expressed appreciation to the Redlands Service Clubs and
the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints for their continued efforts to make
Redlands a great place to live. He also reminded everyone to shop Redlands for
their holiday gift giving.
Mayor Foster added thanks to the City staff for the success of the Orange
Blossom Trail community work day. He too attended another Eagle Scout
ceremony recently which highlights the significant number of young men in
Redlands who are achieving that distinction. He attended an enjoyable
Thanksgiving celebration with the Redlands Area Interfaith Council on November
22, 2015 and invited everyone to attend the Kiwanis sponsored Redlands
Christmas Parade on December 5, 2015.
Holiday Trees — Mayor Foster also highlighted an on-going program whereby
forty-three holiday trees are being provided to downtown businesses for
decoration and celebration. Each business will decorate their tree in a manner to
reflect their particular product or service and the trees will be subject to a silent
auction through December 17, 2015. Proceeds from the auction will go to the
Redlands Community Center.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to address the meeting was adjourned at 7:52
P.M. The next regular meeting of the Redlands City Council is scheduled on
December 15, 2015.
December 1,2015
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