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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes 08/25/197543 MINUTES OF MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL PETALUMA, CALLFORNIA AUGUST 25, 1975 COUNCIL MEETING ATTENDANCE NOTICE OF CALL A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Petaluma was called to order by Mayor Putnam at the hour, of 7:30 p.m. Present: Councilman Brunner, Cavanagh, Harberson, Hilligoss, Mattei, Perry, and Mayor Putnam. Absent: None. Notice of call for special Council meeting, dated August 25, 1975, certificate of the City Clerk of the delivery of said notice, and consent of the City Council for holding said meeting submitted and filed. PURPOSE OF MEETING The meeting was called to consider the following items: Amend Ordinance #1177 N.C.S. to provide additional appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976; levy rates of taxation upon the assessed valuation of the property in the City for the fiscal year July 1, 1975, to June 30, 1976; consider application for 1974 Park Bond Act funds;. and, the City Manager's report on the Transit Bus System. AMEND ANNUAL Finance Director John - Scharer briefly explained to the APPROPRIATION Council the reason for the proposed ordinance is to ORD #1177 NCS -- provide for part -time salaries for Recreation Depart - RECREATION ment employees. This item was overlooked when com- ORD 41188 NCS piling this year's Budget. Ordinance 41188 N.C.S. amending Ordinance 441177 N.C.S.. to provide additional appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976, was introduced by Councilman Harberson, seconded by Councilman Mattei; and ordered posted by 7 affirmative votes. TAX RATES -- City Manager Robert Meyer reported the $.32 per $100.00 FISCAL YEAR 1975 -76 property tax assessment rate for debt service suggested ORD 41189 NCS at the Council meeting of .August 18th has.been reduced to $.29. He expressed concern about the proposed decrease in revenue and balancing the budget for the next fiscal year; however, the Council indicated approval of the reduction. Memo dated August 27, 1975, from Finance Director John Scharer to City Manager Robert.MeYer, suggesting-alternatives to the Finance Director's previous recom- mended tax rate levy submitted and filed. Ordinance 441189 N.C.S. levying rates of taxation upon the assessed valuation of property in the City for the fiscal year July 1, 1975, to June 30, 1976, was introduced by Councilman Mattei, seconded by Councilman Perry, and ordered published by 7 affirmative votes. (Debt Service - $.29; General Purposes - $1.30; Total - $1.59.) 1974 PARK BOND Director of Environmental Affairs Frank Gray reviewed ACT FUNDS the history_ of the City's participation in the 1974 State Park Bond Act. He informed the Council there are two decisions pending: Should the City apply for Park Bond Act funds for this fiscal year, or.1976 -77, which is to be submitted by September lst for clearance.and final submission by September 15, 1975 for the acquisition of either the Western Hillside Park (Varnhagen Property) or the McNear Peninsula. He explained there is no penalty for waiting, but reminded the Council inflation could increase the value of the property and future . availability of the property is not guaranteed. Mr. Gray also informed the Council funds appropriated this year would not be available until 1976 -77; hence, waiting to apply for funds in 1976 -77 would delay the receipt of funds for acquisition of either of the proposed park sites for two years. J' August 25, 1975 1974 PARK BOND Joseph:..D....Rodota, Director, Sonoma County ACT.FUNDS Recreation Department, addressed the Council explaining (Continued) the County's activities relevant to the acquisition of a southern Sonoma County regional park. He informed the.Council $550,000 is available to the.County from Park Bond Act funds. Of this money, $277,000 has been set aside for acquisition of the 280 acres known as the Varnhagen Property or Western` 'Hillside Park. -' ' " He further informed the Council Sonoma County Parks and Recreation Department has pursued the possibility of acquiring a 144 -acre parcel.of land known as the LaCumbre Property, which is.situated between the Varnhagen Property and the City limits. The County has applied for a land and water conservation grant, a federally funded program, to match State..Park Bond Act monies in.hopes of acquiring the LaCumbre property; however, the County's application may have been submitted too late for acceptance. Mr. Rodota does not expect.to receive notification of approval or disapproval until November or December of this year. Sonoma County Supervisor William Kortum then addressed the Council endorsing the proposed Western Hillside Park. He felt the proposed park site was unique in its .location and ruralness. Supervisor Kortum also expressed a desire to see the LaCumbre property included in the acquisition and the development of the proposed regional park. He felt the City and County should continue meeting in order to come to an agreement regarding the LaCumbre property before the County purchases the proposed park site because the LaCumbre property's future will have an affect on the regional park; however, recent meetings and discussions with City staff and the Hospital Board Director have been very worthwhile.in this respect. With regard to funding, Supervisor Kortum cited Spring,Lake_in Santa Rosa which was:deve'loped as a flood control project, thereby making it eligible for other State funds for the recreational develop- ment of the project. Councilman" Harbers;on, pointed out _the,�pur- chase _,,of the .LaCumbre property would provide a good buffer zone, it has good access for Petaluma citizens, and sug- gested water funds be used for the development of a dam to store water for fires. He suggested combining City money, County money, and surplus water funds for the purchase of. the LaCumbre property and use the bond funds for the purchase of the McNear Peninsula. The Recreation Commission hopes both park sites can be purchased. He stressed the importance of acquiring open space now for future citizens. Councilman Hilligoss suggested selling the Lafferty Ranch, retaining the water rights,ad buying the LaCumbre - property with proceeds of the sale. The need for a public golf course was also mentioned, which would provide an open space area. City Manager Robert Meyer pointed out on September 16, 1974., in response to a communication from Sonoma County Park and Recreation Department suggesting the City consider reversing its established park the Council reaffirmed McNear Peninsula as the first priority and Western Hillside Parkas the second priority. After a brief discussion, the Council agreed to hold the matter in abeyance during which time open space.areas along the Petaluma River, the availability of the McNear Peninsula, and other suggestions made tonight, may be explored. Director of Environmental. Affairs was directed to continue communications with Mr. Rodota to keep abreast of any new developments or changes in order to keep the Council informed. INTRA -CITY BUS Report dated August 22, 1975; from Director of Environ- SYST"EM PLANS mental Affairs Frank Gray, suggesting guidelines for proposals for the operation of the Petaluma Transit System; contract documents and specifications for a bus transity system within the City of Union City, submitted and filed. The Council briefly reviewed.Mr. Gray's report requesting clarification on certain items, and changing Item #3 to recommend service on Fridays be performed IAR August 25, 1975 INTRA =CITY BUS between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., rather SYSTEM PLANS than 7 :00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Mr. Gray added specifi- (Continued) cations will be based on a mid -size bus service, 20 -25 passengers; however, buses will be purchased as separate items by the City so will not be included in the specifi -.:.. cations for service. Councilman Harberson reiterated a previous suggestion by former Councilman Daly that a Public Utilities-Commission be developed to be responsible to the Council for reporting activities of the transit system when in operation. The Council requested the staff prepare a draft of the bid material for the September 8th meeting. At that time, the Council will have additional infor- mation submitted by the Chamber Commerce and a proposal from Myrel Moss. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:03 p.m. Attest: Deptt-i6 City Gferk