Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 02/16/1959February - l6, 1959 - 7:3,0 p.m. City Hall - Petaluma, Calif. . Regular meeting of the Council of the City of Petaluma called to order by Mayor Parent. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmen Crinella, Ellis Gustafson, King, Matzen, Van Bebber 'and'Mayor Parent. Absent: None. INVOCATION: Invocation was given by Reverend Kenneth Lawrence, Evangelical Church. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes from the meeting of February 2, 1959 were - approved as recorded. PETITIONS & COMMUNICATIONS: ` Letter from U. S. Senator Clair Engle dated Feb.. 6, 1959, re changing of name= of Petaluma Creek to Petaluma River, read and filed. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS: City.Manager Claims approved for payment by the City Manager were submitted and filed. Councilman King requested an explanation of the following claims: No os -. . - 2897, 2923, 2929 'and 2942. Explanations were given by the City Manager, City_ Engineer and City - Clerk., Councilman Crinella questioned claim #2943,_ labor re Keller St. Parking Lot. Mr. . explained that this expenditure was in connection with the replacement of light' bulbs. A resolution approving the claims and bills was then read and adopted as follows Res:. #2191 N. C. S. in b,y Councilman Matzen, seconde by Councilman .Gustafson, approving claims and bills (Nos 2895 to 3054 inclusive)', adopted by 7 affirmative votes. ,- -New Police "Cars ,- ,Submission of Specifications 'Spec'ifications for 3 new Police cars were submitted and filed. To a - question by Councilman _Ellis regarding the type of - tires specified for the subject cars, the City Manager stated that the last two or three years' experience' find proven that nylon tires were the most suitable for this type of service;- whereupon, Res. #2192 N. C-. S. introduced by"Coancilman Gustafson, seconded by Councilman Ellis, entitled, "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF THREE .(3) NEW AUTOMOBILES FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. " was ;read 'and adopted by 7 affirmative votes. (1) February 16, .1959 council. Committees . Re re Meeting.-.-Me orial, B ldg. - M wage Line - Codncilffi" Va ' ABObbef reported that members of the subject Committee had met with the Coun and discussed this matter, He stated -that an agreement had been reached 'whereby the 5 lots involved ' buld'contribute w towards the' total cost of constructing the line, 'as follows: Lot : #1 -$3.00.00 'Lot: #2 .415,000 00 Lot" ..$aoo 00 Lc;t'#4 -$435. 00 Lot. #5 _'$2000 00 City. Attorney.iEd Robert explained that under the terms of recommended agreement, the -County will retain the line until such time as the "area is annexed to the - Ci' or the City demand for the sa . He City I — - am then requested to know what tune limit the Council wished to stipulate in the '4greement, In line with the Council.';s decision on this,, a portion of the agreement was made to read - as fol lows The.Countv:ag�reos to execute, within 30 = 60 days after demqndb the City., such documents 'asarb necessar y to'fully vest title and the right of access to 'the line in the City., The following resolution was then 'ad Res introduced by Councilman Van Bebber seconded by-Councilman. King, entitled, 9 1 .. - I _nt "RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN AGREEMENT TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE COUNTY OF SON OMACONCE WITH ., THE S EWER LINE, . CONSTRUCTED . , . I :_r­ . A­ - 1". .­.. " BUILDING - 1 .. - -BETWEEN THE VETERANS' MEMORIAL ANDTHE CITY " LIMITS., read and *adopted by 7 affirmative votes. Report re Motor Vehicle Bld,g. Co4indilmari , Vah - .Bqbb6r rep orted that had w ith Coun(Alm r an to ng ora o Crinella in regard . - the o,cati f .' M tor Vehicle building - in.,_Pe.t9Iuma, and it - had been ifieir to recommend to the Couh.cil'that the -City. submit the - Sta'te - 1br its'considefation 10 year lease at --p . or'month',- money for �Pons,tfuction of the building to be provided for 'out of capital outlay lay in the next budget. To `a question by Councilman King, - the - City - Attorney answered that in v iew , w , of the'fact that the City would be . - constructing th,b--s I Objec.( building . . - for the p ublic, etc' 7 he' ', it 'would - bia: perf6ctly legaJ to use 6apita outlay funds `for construction of - sam Councilman 1 that h..e did -not believe the City under--: take the construction of - this bul Wing etc, until it was certain that there wa's no'private party. -interested in doin ' g so Counc'ilman Gri tha meeting with - Councilman Van Bebber on this matter, he had learned that there was an individual who was interested in. constructing a building to- be leased by the Dept, of Motor Vehicles,*, .- He therefore asked that this matter be held over for 30 days in order; to give any interested individual a chance to offer his proposal to the State. Inasmuch 'as it was the feeling of the - Council that thIs project should be undertaken by the, City only as a last resort 'in order to 'secure the building for - Petdlum9 - , - 1' - the matter - was to be held over for aO days as suggested by Councilman Crinella I (2) February 16, 1959 City Planning Commission Use Permit - First .Presbyterian Church Copy of resolution granting Use* Permit to. First Presbyterian Church to construct church in R-2 Zone, submitted and filed. Director of Finance & Records 1 . Budget Transfers Report of Dir. of Finance :& Records dated Feb, 2, 1959, re budget transfers., submitted and filed.° Councilman King requested and received explanations on several of the proposed budget transfers, However, he stated that .' he felt the Council should le informed before any of the City's accounts were to be overdrawn, and permission should be obtained to purchase any item which had not been included in the budget. Mayor Parent stated that it was his understanding that these things were to be presented at one time, rather than to have "them brought before the Council 'individually for approval. He further stated that he believed the City; Manager was doing ekactly what the Council had asked him to do, at the suggestion of. Councilman King, in regard to budget trapsferso Councilman Matzen pointed out that there `were certain repairs etc.., which had be taken care of immediately, and Which could not be anticipated when ,a budget wa.s being prepared, such as the - breakdown of equipment at the sewer plant. - He also felt that the City, Manager -acting - in accordance with what the Council. had requested relative to budget - transfer so For-the Counc'il's informa:tion, the City Clerk pointed out that many of 'the proposed transfers were merely corrective transfers from a book- keeping standpoints The following legislation on budget transfers was then voted on by the Council _ Res. #2194 :N C Se .. _ . introduced by Councilman Matzen,, seconded by Ellis, entitled, "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE AUDITOR TO MAKE CHANGES I.N THE 1958759 BUDGET, AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION 24 OF ORDINANCE NOa 523 N, C, S, adopted by the - fol:lowi.ng vote: Ayes: Council.m.en Crinella, Ellis, Gustafson, Matzen, Van .Bebber and Mayor Parent, Noes: Councilman King. 1 Ord.. #532 N, Ca S e introduced by Councilman Man _Bebber, seconded by Councilman Matzen., entitled, "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY' 1, 1958 TO JUNE 30, 1959, IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THAT THE APPROPRIA- TIONS OF THE VARIOUS FUNDS OF THE CITY PROPERLY REFLECT THE AMOUNTS TO BE CHARGED AGAINST THE SAID FUNDS, ordered . , publ.ished by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen Crinella,.. Ellis,. Gustafson, Matzen, Van Bobber and Mayor Parent, Noes: Councilman King. (3) 5 February,I(, 1959 Citv Ga, ulty- uterk utaetys_VVallin reported that, the last statement furnished by the Garbage Co,, contained the ,grjopssrec:ep.ts of the Company, from January 1954 through December 1,95B., Mr. Robert explained that the Garbage' Company's contract with the City provides that they shall make certain payments ,for their fr°a,nchi§e that by this report, the Council. could determine if'the Gail , Co hid "been paying the City correetl.y for its tanchs:eo Councilman .Crinella steed th -a.t 'it could not be determined by this report whether or not it would be .feasible for the Garbage Company to use the County's .garbage disposal area or some priavgte disposal. ail a' . He felt that the Council: shill. needed a more thorough report as to revenues and expenditures of the Company. .After some discussion on the su ibj t, the City Attorney and Gity further information as to the Com. an . � G�,�°bage Company, requesting Manager were directed to write the Cit p y's operations as suggested by CouneiI. man Crnellao Mayor- Parent stated that he would appoint a Committee to study :this matter. Director of Public Works rt re .Schmitt Subdivision (Laurel St. R Report or City Engineer - Al - Roberts`.dated Feb. ..11A 1959, re .Schmitt Subdivision Laurel St right Wway, submitted - and fil.edo A portion of the subject report read as follows: "The owner has agreed to dedicate 25 fto ` or one.-half 'the- proposed 50 .ft. - right of °vcra :y of Cherry Street and 25 ft. in addition to the 15 . ft, existing traveled . wad (40 ft. total.)-on Laurel Street. "The ow h as, - at O request, incurred - some 760 00' expen in preparing this dedication! approxinmated: 'fo a tit - search - - a.n d` recording fees.,. and �$37- 50 for survey, and preparation of legal description of the. right -of °way.- He hays "requested thatthe City p °ay these costs -in return for the rfght.c.off _wa:y, dedication, `' ThIs that this is-a policy matterancr payment will only bb made - if - author-lzed the'City= Council.," Councilman King - 'stated that he. did - not feel that th`e City should pay for the t tle survey on property - when :other - 'subdividers - :had been re quired to pay -for things - themselves:-6' - H then stated that - he - dial not believe - the City - should allow the proper. t ' owners in the Cherry Valley area to subdivide without improving their - streets _ �,,. :.4 ".: ._ _ __ The City. Attorney pointed out that the subject subdivision contained only 4 lots, and `under the­present status of the Code,. - a subd 4 lots Pr less requires s -a tentative map be 'approved` the=-City "Engineer. After - further discussion 'r`elatlye ,to the probability of a street assessment%district in the subject area being formed 'ac some - in the :future, etc. the l was in agreement that Mr. Schmitt should p'ay for the title search and survey which had been made of his'prop ;erty. The of forming a .Council policy in . regard to what require: menu should be made 7of fut ure subdivisions such as Mr.. SchmfitFs, was to be put on the'agenda for° the next meeting. Approximately 9:15 po mp A recess was declaredat this time. The meeting Wa.s called back to order at 9025 pa mo City"Hall Ciyic. C oncrete Removal & Fill - R'eo6ft of C ty, dated F ° bo 117` 1959p re "`concrete removal and fill of City:Ha11 Civic Center,.., submitted (coat' d) i (4) February 16, 1959 Ll City Half Civic Center Concr Removal & Fill. - cont'd City Engineer Al Roberts explained than there would be no charge made by the National. Guard for the work they would do in removing concrete from the-subject lot; also, there would be no charge for the fill to be deposited on the lot by the Lathrop Construction Co. , if this fill is received, - Councilman Gustafson suggested that if the National. Guard was to do this work on Saturdays and Sundays, some sort of working hours should be scheduled so that they would not disturb people during the early morning hours. 'It was the decision of the Council that if this work could be done at no cost to the City, this would be acceptable, However, the Council would like to know. if this status changes at all, and no money should be spent on the project w?thout the Council. knowledge, .Weller St. Sewer Extension _ -. Submission of Specifications .Specifications 'on the ' Welleer Street:. sewes extension project were submitted and filed. Councilman Van - Bebber requested that this matter be held over for further study. With the consent of the introducing and seconding Councilmen, an ordinance - on this project was to be placed on the"agenda - for. - the next The City Manager was directed to furnish the Council with a report on the matter. Other City Officials 1 1 Reports received from the various City Departments were submitted and - if%ledo Councilman Van : Bebber referred to a report which had been submitted by the ,Dir, of Public: Works, concerning the Levee Street embankment. He suggested that the bank of the river might be beautified to a. certain extent by °merely scattering some Nasturtium seeds thereon, The Council having 'no objection to this, the City Manager was directed to see that this suggestion was carried out, Water Rate Increase Councilman King called 'attention to a, report submitted by the City Attorney' in connection with the recent water rate increases-. - He that he ,felt that if there ever were any more hearings utility increases within the. City, the Council. should secure a breakdown; before the hearing.. date; . -as to - how it affects the individual. user, He stated that in` the case of the rate increases .recently` granted to the Calif; Water. 'Service Co. it '- appears that the Council was- "in the dark" as to just how this -32 %. overall incre'as'e would affect - the individual, - Mayor Parent also believed the Council. had not full.- understood how, this 32% increase would affect the individual° However, 'he noted that the Council informed that in order. to make - a - suitabl:e - contest on this, it would be necessary to provide proof of the fact that the increase being - requested was too high. He went on to say that this - would have cost a consid- erabl.e: amount of money, and then it was doubtful that it would - have accomplished anything.- Mayor 'Parent explained that the City had protested this rate increase, but had not submitted a formal protest because of the cost involved. CONSIDERATION OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS-. Discussion re Purchase of Water Company . Mayor `Parent opened the =d- isc Lis sion and reviewed all the proceedings to and summarized the results of the negotiations with the Calif. Water Serv3.ce :Company (cont`d) (5) R ds .. #21 N Co S. introduced by Councilman Matzen, seconded by Councilman Crinella, entitled, "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO NEGOTIATE THE FINAL TERMS OF AND TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE COMPANY' FOR THE PUACHAB'E OF ITS P . ETA, LUMA' adopted by 7 affirmative votes. (6) February 16, 1959 .Discussion re Purchase of Water Comp.1 .7 coned At this time a,putchase price had been agreed upon which he considered advantageous io the City. The price ls such that the bond issue required to purch,a..se Will probably be in the neighborhood of $2, 750, 000. The bond issue, of necessity, will be larger than the purchase price in order to providejor legal fees, bond reserve funds, working 'capital. and other exppnsiE�s., The Mayor recommended that the Council take affixtria,tiV I e action, authorizing him to enter into a formal contract for the 'purchase of - the Company,, This contract would be subject to the 'Approval of the purchase of the Company through the adoption of a revenue bond measure Which Would be submitted 0 t the voters, . It was explained ed that the acquisition of the Company, if` approved. by the electors, would not increase the tax burden. of the citizens because of the fact that the bond casts would be paid for out of the water company operations, Mayor Parent further stated that there was a possibility that North Marin would. to *,acquire Coyote water, and -if they did, our costs would undoubtedly be reduced. Following the Mayor's summary, members of the Council. ex p ressed their approval, of the Mayor's remarks.eCnd their reasonsfor feeling that the City the Calif.. Water Service Company. Among those present in the audience who.jr . aised various. comments . and questions regarding the proposed - pu,r chase were the following: .Mr. Ellie . Van Bebber Mr-, Boyd Mr ..Bob Wells Mr. &Mrs. George Rfis Mr. Michael. Gentilly - Mr . . John Gibbs Mr. ­ Gene :Benedetti Mr.. Barney Margolis The .majority appeared ' red to be in - favo of the purchase- Jeelipg�'t.hat his was an essential step for the City and'would provide greater control over . water r I ates and City expansion _than - pre . sently - ex . is,ts, During the course of the discussion, the matter` of` the recent PUC increase in - the - rates was raised and the mechanics of this raise was explained .by the City,. Attorney. Some present f6l,t that the City, should have made a stronger protest and` here was indi.cAtion there might be opposition tothe purchase be&au.se of the failure to - strongly - protest-­ - The: City.: Attorney was then authorized to - contact - bon d - counsel to take the preliminary steps relative to the pla of - the purchase before: the voters by means of xeven.ub bond measure, It was direct I &d to have this election held'at the earliest opportunity. The following resolution was 'read 'and 'adopted,: R ds .. #21 N Co S. introduced by Councilman Matzen, seconded by Councilman Crinella, entitled, "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO NEGOTIATE THE FINAL TERMS OF AND TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH THE CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE COMPANY' FOR THE PUACHAB'E OF ITS P . ETA, LUMA' adopted by 7 affirmative votes. (6) 57 , February 16, 1959 CONSIDERATION OF N BUSIN Resolutions Authorizing City Manager & Replacing Two Lost'Warrants 7 Clerk to Sign- Warrants Res. - #2196X Co So introduced by Councilman-Ellis, seconded by Councilman .Gustafson, entitled, "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE C MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO ISSUE A WARRANT FOR $400 00 PAYABLE TO ARTHUR W— PARENT TO REPLACE WARRANT NO, 1119 IN THE AMOUNT OF $40. 00 WHICH WA LOST° " read. and adopted by 7 affirmative votes. .Res. #2197 Ne Ca S. introduced by Councilman Ellis, seconded by Councilman Crinella, entitled, "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO ISSUE A WARRANT FOR $2& 00 PAYABLE TO JOHN_J. KING TO REPLACE WARRANT NO, 4475 IN THE AMOUNT OF $20� 00 WHICH WAS LOST, " read and adopted by 7 affirmative votes Recreation Bldg. _ Kenilwo Park Councilman Crinella Teported on °a recent meeting with the Fair Board in regard to the location of the proposed recreation building in Kenilworth Parke He stated that the Fair Board had indicated its willingness to cooperate with the City on improving of streets, curbs, gutters and sidewalks from Payran Sto around the recreation building to Washington St. He stated that the Fair Board had also indicated that they would 'share in the expense of - the lighting.systemo Councilman Crinel wen n t on explain that the Fair Board had stated that they could not go ahead im.medi.ately so far as sharing cost of the improvement of the street, curb and sidewalk*-but they - would as soon as they could secure a commitment from Sacramento° - - Inasmuch as they were cooperating with the 'City on this, Councilman Crinella stated that the Committee would recommend that the building be constructed at the location requested by the Fair Board. To a question by Councilman Gustafson, City Engineer Al Roberts .answ'ered that according to his understanding of the Uniform Building Code, this type ;of building is required to be constructed with direct access to a public rightmof -. .way., which he believed should be 2 in width and the building should have 'a front entrance facing directly upon that right:—of—way. He stated that he would prefer that this building be constr. ucted with curb, gutter, sidewalk and adequate lighting wherever it is built° However, he felt this was' a policy matter for the Council to decide, inasmuch as there was an economic: ,factor involved To a: question by Councilman Matzen, Recreation Commissioner Joh Cavanagh., Jr. stated that if. it would "cost some $3, 000 for improvements in order to locate the building on the site requested by the Fair Board, the Recreation Commission would not favor the use of any of the $50, 000. bond fund for` this purpose until such time 'as the building had been completed. .:City Planner Dick Coleman stated that he felt the location - of - the site which had been requested by - the Fair Board was much better because of relationship to the parking lot, and also because it Vvoul.d °provide more of a park type of setting for the building, A a n d ��f �;� 1. i ,�� (cont'd) (7) 58- February:16, 1959 >< Recrea - cont"d Although, be is very anxious to see this building .constructed; as a member of - the Recreation Commission, Council.m.an.Gust af son stated, that he felt he should vote "no" On relocating the -site n."accordance with , the - request of the Fair in view of the Recreation Commission's recommendation which had previously been presented to 'the Council.. Mayor Parent then took -a poll. of the Council to determine if the majority of members favored constructing the proposed rb constructing oteAtion building at the site requested by the Fair Board., The results of the po ll poll were as follows: Ayes- Councilmen Crinella, Ellis,, King Matzen and VanBebber. Noes-, Councilman Gustafson and Mayor Patent, At the suggestion of'the City Manager, astudy ses sion was scheduled for next Tuesday.night for the purpose of going over the plans & specifications . for English St.. & Mt. View Av . e. , etc. ADJOURNMENT. There being n * o further business to come before the Council, the meeting Was - adjourned. �7 ay or Attest- City "Cle�rk H