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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 05/10/1976as3 MINUTES•OF MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA MAY 10 147.6 ADJOURNED MEETING An adjourned meeting.of the Petaluma City Council was called to order by Mayor Helen Putnam at the hour of 7:35 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmen Brunner, Cavanagh, Harberson, Mattei, Perry, and Mayor Putnam. Absent: Councilman Hilligoss. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of May 3, 1976, were approved as mailed. CONSIDERATION OF Before hearing from the various organizations which REVENUE SHARING had submitted requests for revenue sharing funds for / PROJECTS 1976 -77 their programs, Mayor Putnam addressed the audience FISCAL YEAR advising she had visited Washington earlier in the 76 — 7 7 year, along with mayors from throughout the Country. The purpose of the visit was to support the idea of the continuation of revenue sharing for cities. The matter has remained in a' subcommittee since the time -of her visit and has ;finally been reported out of the subcommittee. The recommendation of the subcommittee is to continue revenue sharing for only 3 - 3 /4.years. The matter now goes before a full committee, and it is the understanding the concept of revenue sharing will meet considerable opposition in Washington. Mayor Putnam stated the Conference of-Mayors was hopeful of having the matter of revenue sharing continued, but the feeling is not very optomistic. A considerable amount of work is being done on a nationwide scale to determine what can be accomplished. Mayor Putnam advised the audience the purpose of this meeting is to review the requests from various outside organizations and for the Council to hear from a spokesman from each group. She advised the audience no action would be taken on any of the requests at this meeting. SENIOR CITIZENS' Mr. Lou Rasmussen advised the Council the Adobe Lions. DROP- IN�CENTER Club has been involved with the senior project, and he 7 F AMOUNT REQUESTED, introduced.the President of the Adobe Lions Club, Mr. $42,740 Lawrence Persons. Mr. Persons indicated the Adobe 76 - 77 Lions Club has given full support to the project and feels the need is critical to have a center in the downtown area for senior citizens. (4(0 Mr. Adrian Sias, President of the American Association of Retired People, addressed the Council in support of the senior citizens' center. Mr. Sias stated his organization has visited centers in other locations and has com- piled some statistics on the numbers of elderly people in the community. Mr. Sias stated there are approximately 3,300 persons in Petaluma over 60 years of age. Of these, 665 are below the poverty level and 1,790 represent the ethnic minorities.. He stated other organizations which support the concept of a senior citizens' center in addition'to the Adobe Lions Club and the American Association of Retired People include the Golden Agers Club are the Grand- mothers' Club, the.Golden Circle Dining Club, and the Petaluma People Services Center. Mr. Sias indicated a proper use of the Carnegie Library may be to have the first floor reserved for a senior citizens' center and have.the mezzanine or balcony devoted to the historical museum aspect. A budget supporting the request was submitted showing the rental of the building now unoccupied (Cline Furniture Company) for a total amount of annual rent of $14,400. Mr. Sias indicated this amount could be deducted from the total budget of $42,740 if the Carnegie Library could be utilized as a center. After Mr. Sias' presentation some discussion was held and concern expressed about instituting a program under revenue sharing funds which should be an on- going program and the capability of the City to continue_to,support such program if revenue sharing funds were no longer available. City Manager Robert Meyer advised the Council approximately 30 letters had been received in support of the senior citizens' drop -in center. a S6 May 10, 1976 PETALUMA BOYS CLUB Mr. Ples Crews, Executive Director of the Petaluma AMOUNT REQUESTED, Boys' Club, Inc., addressed the City Council next. $36, 1,,5.00 members, representing -1 140 f ogs' Club now has \(� 1� 000 ' Mr. Crews advised the Council the B I programs include.57 teams of basketball, 3 ball e Their �� p g 38 teams. of baseball, and 28 teams of football, in addition to judo, wrestling, and other T�r,z2e� activities. He also indicated the Boys' Club'has only one gym, to accommodate all of their.indoor activities. They wish to purchase property located at the corner of Eighth and "F" Streets to install two basketball courts, one tennis court, and a 20 -car parking lot. The request from the'Council for revenue sharing funds is in the amount of $36,000. This amount would secure the property, but would not provide f'or addition or improvements to the.present structure. Mr. Crews indicated the proposed expansion of the Boys' Club would be approximately $150,000. He also stressed the fact the club is not only open for the boys of the community -- during the hours when it is not be 'used by boys, it is available to other or throughout the community., . \ PETALUMA.GIRLS CLUB Lionne Campbell,, President of the Petaluma Girls ^� \ AMOUNT REQUESTED., Club, was next to address the City Council. Ms. $3,000 Campbell stated the Girls' Club had sent out 5,000 1 surveys through the schools in order to determine the <* the of the girls in the community. The majority .of. the .responses indicated a need for a drop -in center -- for social interaction, homemaking.,.and a chance for the young girls to get, together. This is what the Girls' Club is` trying. to provide. The Club is (006 open after school hours to cover the time when. young - people are dismissed from school and the working-parents return home. Ms. Campbell indicated the amount of money the .Girls' Club is seeking out of, revenue sharing is very modes.t . compared to other requests. Since their only source of income is through - projects sponsored by the Girls' Club,..such as their spagetti feed aid.sales of candy, - they are requesting $3,0.00 from the.Council in order -.to continue with their work. She advised the Petaluma Girls' Club is:not eligible for funds from the United Way, they have been turned down for the past two years, but will keep applying for a; grant.. She also .indicated- there are five Boys' Clubs in Sonoma County and Petaluma is the only community,with a Girls' Club. The $3,00.0 request would pay for rent, building maintenance, and utilities. At the conclusion of Ms. Campbell's presentation, Mr. Crews, the Director of the Boys' Club, spoke stating he was not reflecting the official feeling of the Board of Directors of the Boys' Club; however, speaking for h =imself, he was hopeful the Board of Directors of both the Boys' -Club and the Girls' Club might be able to work out some type of compromise in order to provide betiter' facilities for the.Girls' Club. Mayor Putnam.sugges,ted perhaps a meeting could be arranged for both Boards at sometime .in the future. PETALUMA PEOPLE Gerald Klor addressed the City Council on behalf of (� SERVICES CENTER the Petaluma People 'Services Center. The request 'for- AMOUNT REQUESTED, $10,732 from revenue sharing funds is to .cover the - �� $10,732 operating expense budget for the next year: Included in the budget is an amount for rent, utilities, insurance:, telephone, printing„ office supplies; �RPaS repairs and maintenance. Mr. Klor stated the Center offers services to the aO Sonoma County area which are available to residents in the Santa Rosa area,. ( but not in our locale. The complete budget for the Center .exceeds the amount requested from revenue sharing funds ;-however, additional funds are made available primarily through the 314 -D Grant. The Center does.not feel., however, they could shift these funds for operating expenses, as they are . intended f.or the cost of staffing the Center. Mr. Klor also stated the Peta- luma People Services Center was aware of the fact revenue sharing funds; may,' at some time, not be available. He expressed a desire:, however, the City would continue beyond revenue sharing to consider the Petaluma People Services Center as a line item in the Ci -ty " s budget'. Mr. Klor introduced Rose.Farkas who has recently assumed the position of-Executive Director for the Petaluma People Services Center. Ms. Farkas spoke in favor of the program and answered questions posed by members of the City Council. Councilman Cavanagh asked what the total budget for the Center would be for the coming year, and Ms: Farkas replied $80,000. May 10, 1976 25 PETALUMA PEOPLE When questioned by Vice -Mayor Mattei if the Center had SERVICES'CENTER requested an increase of 5.0% from the Sonoma County r / / F AMOUNT REQUESTED', Board of Supervisors, Mr. Klor responded by stating $10,732 when they originally went to the Board of Supervisors 76 -77 '(Continued) for revenue sharing' funds they were granted an award for a two-year period and, therefore, were unable to T ��' "���ck�e� go back in this,same form. The Center had to look at .4-0 their priorities and the Board of Supervisors then approved an appropriation for a Petaluma Action. Program. Some discussion was held regarding the County agencies which utilize the Center. Ms. Farkas stated there were 30 agencies using the Center, and of these, eight were public agencies, and the balance were non - profit groups. Vice - Mayor M.attei suggested that since the Center is' providing office space for the eight County agencies, perhaps a request could be made for reimburse- ment for this expense from the County. When asked if the Center provides telephone services for the eight public agencies, Ms. Farkas advised telephone expenses are reimbursed. At the conclusion of the discussion, a request was made of the Executive Director of the Petaluma People Services Center to provide the City with a copy of their complete budget in order for additional studies to be made before the decision is reached on the allocation of revenue sharing funds. Ms. Farkas indicated she would comply. Some discussion was then held on the proposed development of Lucchesi Park. Councilman Harberson, the Council's representative on the Recreation, Music and Parks Commission, stated the goals and recommendations of the Commission were to concentrate the efforts for development of Lucchesi Park. In fact, at an earlier meeting, the Commission and City Council had been approached by.a group asking for tennis courts to be installed at this site. The first stage of the development is to complete the engineering and the grading. City Manager Robert Meyer stated the Program of Service indicates the engineering and grading would be ready to go to bid sometime in the fall with completion scheduled on the grading in June of 1977. Councilman Harberson indicated the Commission had recommended the use of the approximate $90,000 bedroom tax fund for the development of Lucchesi Park, with a portion of this to be used for tennis courts. Mr. Ed Zivot, President of the Petaluma Valley Little League, addressed the Council in support of the proposal to provide more lawn areas for organized sports. Mr. Zivot confirmed the Little Leagues would like to add their personal effort by supplying manpower if the. City would supply the needed funds.' He stated the combined Little Leagues and soccer clubs have a budget of approximately $75,000. If it is necessary for them to pay for water and irrigation, this item could be included as an operating expense. They would like'to share and help build something for the community. City Manager Robert Meyer also advised the Council a letter had been received from the Chairman of the Recreation, Music, and Parks Commission asking for further development of Lucchesi Park. At the conclusion of all the discussions on outside requests for revenue sharing funds, Mayor Putnam advised the different organizations the requests were heard by the Council tonight, but no action was to be taken; it was merely a matter_of having the Council being informed and of the various items would be reviewed during budget sessions. Copies.of the requests with supporting letters are on file with the City Clerk. PETALUMA ATHLETIC Mr. Jim Rogers addressed the Council stating the ASSOCIATION Petaluma Athletic Association was an ad hoc committee representing approximately men, women, boys, and girls, who participate in various sports, including little league, football, softball, and soccer., but must compete with each other for the use of the limited facilities in the City of Petaluma. Mr. TCzriS{eRker� Rogers suggested if the City would provide ample lawn and grass areas, he felt }a the Petaluma Athletic Association could muster enough volunteers to supply manpower to make the necessary improvements to accommodate the groups now vieing for the various facilities. Mr. Rogers further stated the Petaluma Athletic Association was formed to try to coordinate the uses of facilities available to the various organizations. All of the groups had favored and supported the various plans for Lucchesi Park, and Mr. Rogers suggested, in the absence of a finished project at Lucchesi Park, if a lawn area was made available to the Association, they would do the rest of the work. Some discussion was then held on the proposed development of Lucchesi Park. Councilman Harberson, the Council's representative on the Recreation, Music and Parks Commission, stated the goals and recommendations of the Commission were to concentrate the efforts for development of Lucchesi Park. In fact, at an earlier meeting, the Commission and City Council had been approached by.a group asking for tennis courts to be installed at this site. The first stage of the development is to complete the engineering and the grading. City Manager Robert Meyer stated the Program of Service indicates the engineering and grading would be ready to go to bid sometime in the fall with completion scheduled on the grading in June of 1977. Councilman Harberson indicated the Commission had recommended the use of the approximate $90,000 bedroom tax fund for the development of Lucchesi Park, with a portion of this to be used for tennis courts. Mr. Ed Zivot, President of the Petaluma Valley Little League, addressed the Council in support of the proposal to provide more lawn areas for organized sports. Mr. Zivot confirmed the Little Leagues would like to add their personal effort by supplying manpower if the. City would supply the needed funds.' He stated the combined Little Leagues and soccer clubs have a budget of approximately $75,000. If it is necessary for them to pay for water and irrigation, this item could be included as an operating expense. They would like'to share and help build something for the community. City Manager Robert Meyer also advised the Council a letter had been received from the Chairman of the Recreation, Music, and Parks Commission asking for further development of Lucchesi Park. At the conclusion of all the discussions on outside requests for revenue sharing funds, Mayor Putnam advised the different organizations the requests were heard by the Council tonight, but no action was to be taken; it was merely a matter_of having the Council being informed and of the various items would be reviewed during budget sessions. Copies.of the requests with supporting letters are on file with the City Clerk. 25 8 May 10, 1976 RECESS PROPOSED MARINA PHASE I FEASIBILITY 6\1' STUDY Mayor Putnam called a recess of the Counclmat 9:07 p.m., and the meeting reconvened at 9:15 p.m. A entitled "Phase I Feasibility Study, Proposed Marina on the Petaluma River for the City of Petaluma," submitted by the firm of Dames and Moore, is on file with the City Clerk. Community Development and Services Coordinator Frank Gray advised various people would:)bei addressing the Council concerning the report and the proposed Marina. Mr. Gray introduced Mr. Jim Matsueda, representing the California Department.of Navigation and Ocean Development. Mr. Morgan Noble from the firm of Dames and Moore introduced the consortium of consultants who had worked on feasibility study. These included Mr. Jim Moore, the Project Engineer from the firm of Dames and Moore which had done the engineering and site studies; Mr. Chris Gould of the firm of Williams and Kuebelbeck & Associates, Inc., concerned with the economic and financial feasibility study; and, the environmental aspects of the report were handled by the firm of Laidlaw and Associates, and representing that company at the meeting were Don Laidlaw and Walt Smith. Mr. Noble advised the Council the team with.him this evening would endeavor to highlight the report.. He stated the Department of Navigation and Ocean Development (DNOD) had raised some important questions and the report endeavors to address these questions and provide solutions. First to address the Council was Mr. Chris Gould, regarding the market study. Mr. Gould stated there are 16,000 registered boats now in Sonoma County and Marin County, of which more than half are owned by Sonoma County residents. The rate of increase for Sonoma County is over 4 %, while that of Marin County is approximately 2' %. 2,500 of these votes are considered berthable. The majority the boats left in the area are located in Marin County. Mr. Gould then'proceeded to review the report on the summary of the market study and preliminary financial'analysis made by his company. At the conclusion of his presentation, several questions were raised. One was by Councilman Harberson as to how it was determined the number of boats in the market area, to which Mr. Gould responded the figures they used were obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles and from the County of Sonoma. The figures available from the State indicated the number of boats, where the owners live.' and how boats are stored or berthed. Mr. Gould also responded to a question raised regarding proposed berthing facilities in the area. He indicated .a 250 - berth facility is in the planning stage for Bodega Bay. Another 400, in addition to the 40 already constructed, would be at the mouth of the Petaluma River, and a project sponsored by the City of San Rafael to. berth 500 to 600 boats is in the planning stage. Mr. Gould did state, how- ever, the demand in the market area is for 2,500 berths and there could be a possibility of 400 of these seeking facilities somewhere along the Petaluma River. Mr. Morgan Noble then addressed the Council stating the primary purpose of the market feasibility study was to determine whether or not there was a demand in the market area. From the conclusions drawn, the report indicates a 250 -berth marina would be self - sustaining over a period of time.. There is a demand for dry boat storage, the restaurant, coffee shop, and related activities connected with the marina. Mr. Noble then referred to the engineering portion of the 'report contained in pages 24 to 28, and by means of the viewfoil reviewed Alternate Site 1, Type A and Type configurations which would be located near the existing launching . ramp, and Alternate 2, Site Type B configuration which would be approximately a mile and one -half .south'of the City. 'Mr.'Noble reviewed the six points in the engineering evaluation covered in the report of: 1) water quality; 2) sedimentation; 3) soil stability; 4)_navigation; 5) flooding; and 6') utili- ties. He stated he did not feel the '12 -mile distance from San Pablo Bay would cause any concern regarding the feasibility of the marina. The different type of boating activity would take place on the river and many people would prefer the protected waters of the river to those of San Pablo Bay which can become quite choppy. Mr. Noble also stated that even though the marina was proposed to berth 250. vessels, not all of the boats, in fact ,a very small percentage of the boats, would be leaving the marina site for the river at any one,given May 10, 1976 PROPOSED MARINA time. The busiest days would probably be holidays, PHASE I FEASIBILITY such as the Fourth of July, Labor Day and Memorial STUDY Day. Mr. Noble sad,he did not feel there were any (Continued) problems which could not be solved; there would be a need for some maintenance dredging and for some type of policing at any of the sites; however, the design of the marinas in any of the configurations would minimize the need for dredging requirements. Some discussion was held on the possibility of the Corps of Engineers contin- uing to dredge the main channel of the river. 'Mr. Noble advised the Council the Corps had been in contact with their firm; it is his understanding there are still about five or six commercial ventures in the area which still depend upon the river for navigation. He also stated a marina in the vicinity would add to the.demand and the Corps would take this into consideration.when reviewing the maintenance dredging of the river. In his presentation of the various alternatives and sites, Mr. Noble stated Alternate Site 1, Configuration A,.would be,adjacent to the launching ramp; however, the City would need to acquire approximately 31 acres to accommodate the marina at this location. On Alternate Site 1, Configuration B, the advantage would be the property is on City -owned property'; however, easements would need to be obtained. Mr. Noble described Site 2, which would have access from Lakeville Highway near the Harcourt Brace building, and he es- timates approximately 42 acres would be needed to accommodate the marina at this site. The third portion -of the report, Summary of Environmental Analysis, was reviewed by Don Laidlaw. Mr. Laidlaw stated the environmental aspects of the project were the responsibility of his firm, and in the first phase they had reviewed all the data that had existed for the area. They had made numerous contacts with City personnel; however,, they did not carry out any precise research in the field other than having an archeolgical review made. No archeological sites were found. If the development proceeds to Phase II, they would have the responsibility of preparing,the environmental impact report for the project. Mr. Laidlaw also advised many of .the environmental aspects had been contained in the, E.I..R. prepared by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers for the dredging of the river. Mr. Laidlaw stated the general concerns regarding the environmental impact of a marina in the area can all be mitigated by proper.engineering design with effective input and control from the public agencies. Mr. Laidlaw stated he had been in constant contact with the firm of Dames and Moore and the City staff in order to prepare the preliminary report being presented to the City Council. Many of the items to which the report refers, such as soil erosion, flood plain storm flows, and other technical matters, would be handled by the engineering team in the development of any of the sites. With relation to the income and feasibility of the project, Mr. Noble asked Chris, Gould to explain the source of funding for the proposed project. Mr. Gould stated the primary source of funding would be from the Department of Navigation and Ocean Development. DNOD has a construction loan program available to provide funds at 4z% interest over a 30 -year term. During the first five- years, repayment can be limited to the capability of the project. Other sources of funding will be explored; however, the most likely prospect seems to be DNOD. Mr. Gould explained one aspect of the initial cost DNOD would not finance would be the.acquisition of land. The City would have to have a proprietary interest in any land on which the marina is to be con- structed, either through purchase or a long -term lease. Sources.of revenue which could be anticipated by the City would be for the boat slips and the dry storage, and rent from the restaurant, coffee shop and the marina store. The latter facilities would be constructed and operated by the leasees. Mr. Gould then proceeded to review Table 1, page 18 of the report, the preliminary test and comparison of financial feasibility on the three sites. Vice -Mayor Mattei questioned if the project was not successful, would the responsibility for repayment of the loan fall back on the City and the tax- payers. Mr. Jim Matsueda of the Department of Navigation and Ocean Develop- ment advised if and when the City entered into a contract, all the ramifi- cations would be clarified in the loan documents. All revenues in the project area would be pledged for maintenance and operation, and repayment of the mortgage. Mr. Matsueda stated it was his understanding it would be illegal for the City to pledge revenue from the tax base in order to repay the loan. 2519 2 6 May 10, 1976 PROPOSED MARINA Councilman Cavanagh referred to a letter received by PHASE I FEASIBILITY the City dated December 10, 1975, from DNOD, and asked STUDY Mr. Matsueda if the five points in the letter had been (Continued) adequately answered by the report given this evening. Mr'. Matsueda indicated the five items in the letter were not the only matters to be considered. He had worked with Frank Gray before the preparation of the report to have certain matters addressed in the Phase I feasibility study. Some of items had had adequate analysis; however, he still felt there was some concern about the 11- mile journey up the river and the width of the river, which should be further emphasized if Phase II of the project is to proceed. He further indicated the cost of dredging.and the disposal of. spoils should be more adequately addressed in the second'phase of the study. City Manager Robert. Meyer asked Mr. Matsueda if he felt there would be a problem if the City did not own the land surrounding of any of the marina sites. Mr. Matsueda responded by stating he felt the marina would enhance the property values of.private persons on three sides of the marina, thus creating a problem which .would not be acceptable. He stated the City should own all of the land surrounding the marina. Mr. Matsueda questioned the compatibility of a restaurant being placed on Alternate 1 site in view of the fact the tallow works is located in the vicinity. He did state almost every successful marina has factors which draw boaters and some of these are a good restaurant, fuel facilities, a coffee shop, and other marina related activities. These 'Are the types of things which tend to make a project of this type feasible, At the conclusion of the presentation the City Manager asked Mr. Matsueda what time schedule the Council woul& have to meet in order to apply for the DNOD loan. Mr. Matsueda said the application, which consists of'the feasibility study, the draft.environmental impact report., and a resolution from the City Council, would have to be submitted by July 1, 1976. Mayor Putnam asked the City Manager how the scheduling could be arranged and Mr. Meyer responded by stating the matter should come back to the City Council at the May 17th. meeting. Mr. Gray indicated the staff at that time would need some direction from the City Council whether not to proceed with Phase II of the feasi- bility study and to have the Council determine which site and which confi- guration they preferred. Mr.'Matsueda said, in the interim, the. City, DNOD, and the consultants should work closely together if the project is to proceed. When asked which site he felt would be the most feasible, Mr. Matsueda said Alternate 1, and he did not indicate whether. Configuration A or B should be selected; however, he did state he felt the closer to the City the project is located, the more feasible it would be. The City's responsibility would be to provide the land, the access road and the utilities. Mr. Bob McLaughlin briefly commented on the marina project, stating he hoped some consideration would be given in Phase II to accommodating visiting .yacht clubs in order to be able to have the capability of.taking some of the over- flow of the various organizations which like to visit Petaluma. He pointed out over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, three different yacht clubs from the Bay Area plan to make the trip to.Petaluma. Mayor Putnam requested the matter be brought back before the Council at the May 17, 1976 meeting. p NFORCEMENT OF TITLE 11 OF THE PETALUMA MUNICIPAL CODE ORD #1214 NCS (SECOND READING) RESIGNATION -- POLICE CHIEF LARRY D. HIGGINS �j ��� APPOINT ROBERT F. HALL " ✓ PLANNING DIRECTOR RES #7382 NCS Ordinance #1214 N.C.S. authorizing Bicycle Pedestrian Specialist and Parking Enforcement- Officers to enforce the provisions of Title 11 of the Petaluma Municipal Code was adopted by 6 affirmative and 1 absentee votes. A letter dated April 30, 1976, directed to City Mana- ger Robert H. Meyer by Police Chief Larry D. Higgins, submitting his resignation effective May 31, 1976, was read,by the City Clerk and is on file. City Manager Robert Meyer advised the Council follow- ing the Executive Session held Monday., May '3rd,, his recommendation to f ll'the position of Planning 1 1 May 10, 1976 APPOINT RONALD F. HALL Director is to appoint Ronald F. 'Hall, Planning PLANNING DIRECTOR Director for the County of Mendocino, effective July RES #7382 NCS 1, 1976. He asked for the Council's confirmation of (Continued) this appointment. Resolution #7382 N.C.S. consenting to and approving the appointment of Ronald F. Hall as Planning Director for the City of Petaluma was introduced by Councilman Mattei, seconded by Councilman Harberson, and approved by 6 affir- mative and 1 absentee votes. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 11:07 p.m. to an Executive Session. Mayor D 1 Attest:: City,) erk 261