HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 11/03/2003November 3, 2003
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City Council Minutes
Monday, November 3, 2003 - 3:00 P.M.
Regular Meeting
Vol. 39, Page 225
3:00 P:M: -CITY .COUNCIL
1 CALL TO ORDER
2
3 A. Roll Call
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5 Present:_ Members Canevaro, Harris, O'Brien, Mayor Glass, Torliatt,
6 Moynihan
7 -Absent: Healy
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9 B. .Pledge of Allegiance
10 C. Moment of Silence
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12 A moment of silence was held in honor of fallen Firefighter Steven
13 Rucker, Novato Fire Department.
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15 PUBLIC COMMENT
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17 There was no public comment.
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19 COUNCIL COMMENTS
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21 Council. Member Moynihan, with regard to the development fees acted upon
22 last week, asked for further research on the- proposed administrative fee. He
23 indicated there may or may not be a nexus for the fee as proposed with the
24 _ actual impacts of the developments. He asked that sfaff try to substantiate 'the
25 fees and asked the advice of the City Attorney as to any possible litigation or
26 liability we would be incurring at this level ofi collection.
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28 Council Member Canevaro commented after reviewing the documents acted
29 upon last week, he would like to have the Council reconsider the parks fee
30 ordinance.
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32 Mayor Glass explained the Parks Fee Ordinance would be coming to the City
33 Council for second reading at the November 17; 2003 Council Meeting and the
34 Council would have an opportunity to discuss the matter further at that time.
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Vol. 39, Page 226
November 3,:2003
1 City Attorney Rich: Rudnansky noted the Mayor was correct.. He did .point out if
2 Council:Member Canevaro was referring fo the,Resolutions setting the fees, that
3 could be brought back for reconsideration.,
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5 . Council Member Canevaro clarified he was interested. in the Park Fee Ordinance
6 in particular ana`would accept that the item is coming back to the Council for
7 discussion on November 17, 2003.
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9 It was noted during Council discussion that if there wa"s a substantial change to
10 the Park. Fee Ordinance when the item comes to the Council for econd
1 1 reading, the ordinance would be reintroduced anal would come back .again to
12 the Council for a second reading, allowing public input on whatever changes
13 are made.
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i 5 Council Member'Torliatt commented on. having attended a Ribbon Cutting, at
16 Curves in the Golden Eagle Shopping Center and a Welcoming Recep ion for
17 the City Manager, his wife `and daughter last Wednesday. She also reported on
18 having attended a Water Advisory Commiftee this rnor,.ning. On a .7;2 vofe, wi h
19 Santa Rosa and the .Sonoma dissenf'ing, that the WAC as a whole is going to
20 provide some direction. on how each of the contractors would. look at the criteria
21 allocations for water in an impairment situation, which is under section 3.5 of the
22 1 1?h Amended Agreement, which she reported. on at the last Council :Meeting; as
23 well as divvying up the water allocation up to the 75,000/acre foot level. -The
24 WAG is going to do thdt, as a whoae: She noted they have a fimeframe of'3-6
25 months and they also have the Water Agency agreeing to let the WAC work on
26 that and bring it to the Agency as a whole. She noted she would bring an
27 update to the Council soon.
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29 AGENDA-CHANGES AND DELETIONS
Vice Mayor O'B[ien clarifiied with the City Manager the Petaluma River authority
Presentation. is scheduled for December 1, 2003'.
34 Council Member Moynihan clarified with the. City manager that' the Council will
35 bereviewng the CIP Program. at the December 1'St'of December 15th Meeting.
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37 Council Member Torliatt noted the mid-term budget. review would take place'in
38 January and suggested', looking at the CIP Program at the: same time.
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40 Council discussion ensued with direction given to have staff distribute the CIP
41 Budget Review .document the first part: of December.in order t'o allow Council
42 Member enough time to .review it before a~ discussion to be held in conjunctiori
43 with. the mid-term budget..review:
~'4 1. APPROVAL OF PROPOSED.AGENDA
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46 ~ Approval of Proposed;Agenda for Council's Reguldr fVleeting of November
47 17, 2003. ~ -
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November 3, 2003 Vol. 39, Page 227
1 MOTION to approve the proposed agenda: -
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3 M/S Torlidtt and O'Brien. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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5 2. CONSENT CALENDAR
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7 Council ,Member Moynihan requested Items C and E be removed from
8 the Consent Calendar for separate discussion.
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10 MOTION to adopt the balance of the Consent Calendar:
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12 M/S O'Brien and Torliatt. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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14 A. Resolution 2003 216 N:C.S. Awarding a Construction Contract for
15 the: FY 2003=2004 Phase 2 Petaluma .Airport Fuel Conversion Project
16 No. 6510-2. (Skladzien/Castaldo)
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18 B. Resolution 2003-217 N.C.S. Approving Standards for the Issuance of
19 Permits- for Parades and .Other Special Events as Outlined in
20 Petaluma Municipal Code 13.32.01'0.- (Simms)
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22 C. Resolution to Restrict Mooring or Anchorage'on Certain Sections of
23 the Petaluma River- Waterways,- as well as Vessel Size/Length
24 Upstream of the Balshaw Bridge: ` (Skladzien) Removed from the
25 Consent Calendar for separate discussion.
26
27 D. Adop ion (Second. Reading) of :Ordinance 2164 N.C.S. Amending
28 Speed Limits on Old Redwood Highway, N. McDowell Blvd., and
29 Bodega Avenue. (Skladzien)
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31 E. Adoption (Second Reading) of Ordinance 2165 N.C.S. Amending
32 Section 17.14.040 of the Petaluma Municipal Code Regarding
33 Cornpufation of Fees. (Thomas) Removed from the Consent
34 Calendar for separate discussion.
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36 ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT
37
38 C. Resolution 2003-218 N.C.S. to Restrict Mooring or Anchorage on
39 Certain Sections of the Petaluma River Waterways, as well as Vessel
40 Size/Length Upstream of the Balshaw Bridge. (Skladzien)
41
42 Council Member Moynihan clarified with staff that this resolution
43 augments the Waterways Ordinance grid would augment the
44 efforts of the Petaluma River Authority being formed.
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46 Councif Member Torliatt commented this was afollow-up to a
47 comment a member of the public made regarding some of the
Vol. 39, Page 228'
November:3, 2003
1 problems that were occurring in the turning basin:. She: rioted .her
2 appreciation to staff for following up on this'is~ue.
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4 MOTION to adopt the resolution:
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6 Iv1/S Moynihan and O'Brien. CARRIED UNANI]'VIOUSLY.
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8 *A gentleman was 'recognized from the audience at `this point who
9 wanted. fo clarify with staff `if the Veteran's Day Parade had been
10 cancelled. He was assured by the City Ivlgnager that th'e' `.Parade
1 1 had not been can'celled' and fhe action taken earlier on the
12 Consent Cal.eridar has been to substantiate that a Veteran's D,ay
13 Parade/Event'would take place each yeas on November 1' 1 tn.
14
T5 E. Adoption (Second Reading) of Ordinance 21b5 N:C.S. Amending
16 . Section 17.14.040 of the Petaluma Municipal Code Regarding
17 Computation of`Fees. .(Thomas;)
18
T9 Council Member Moynihan pointed .out he had' p:eeifically asked
20 for additional information on', the computation of the fees and had
21 not received' it. He noted' his concern with the liability with how the
22 fee structure was established and the affordability of housing, ,He
23 noted he would not be voting in-support ofi th'i`s, even though° it' is
24 just the ordinance and not 'the actual. resolution'.. thaf was
25 approved.
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17 MOTION to adopt the ordinance: .
2i3
29 Ivl/S Torliatt and O'Brien. CARRIED: BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
30
3T AYES-:: Harris; Can'eyaro, O'Brien, Mayor Glass and'Torliatt
„ 32 NOES: Moynihan
33 ABSENT: Healy
34
35 CITY COUNCIL CLOSED.SESSION
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37 PUBLIC COMM'fNT
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39 There was none.
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4T ADJOClRN TO CLOSED SESSION
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_43 The City .Council adjourned to Closed.Session at 3:25 p,;m.~to discuss the'following
44 issues:
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46 PUBLIC' EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EIGALUATION: Pursuant to Govt. Code §;54957: City
47 Attorney.,
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November 3, 2003
Vol. 39, Page 229
• CONFERENCE WITH .REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR: Pursuant to Government Code:
§154956.8. Property: Two Parcels Located on the 4000 Block of Lakeville Highway
(APNs 017-170-002 and 068-010-026). One Parcel Located Southwest ofi the City's
Oxidation Ponds (APN 019-330-009). A Small Portion of One Parcel Located at 3880
Cypress: prive (APN 005-090-062). Negotiating Party: Michael Bierman/Michael Ban.
Under Negotiation: Price, Terms or Payment, or Both.
ADJOURN TO'EYENING.SESSION
EVENING SESSI®N - 7:00 P.IlA.
CITY COUNCIL ONLY
CALL TO ORDER
A. Roll Call
Members Harris, Canevaro, Healy, O'Brien, Mayor Glass, Torliatt, Moynihan
B. Pledgeof,Allegiance
C. Moment of Silence
A moment of silence was held in honor of fallen Firefighter Steven Rucker,
Novato Fire Department.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS TAKEN
There was no reportable action taken.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jake Mackenzie, Council Member, Rohnert Park, addressed the City Council.
regarding. the casino item. He noted he is in support of the Mayors' 8~
Councilmembers' .Association to send a cover letter to Federal Representatives
Regarding Indian Gaming. He explained he was the lone dissenter regarding the
Rohnert Park resolution: He .noted the way the management of Rohnert .Park
structured the debate did not lend itself to valuable discussion.
He urged the City Council to endorse the resolution with a cover letter and to
endorse the resolutions that seek to give. more support to Representative Lynn
Woolsey and Senator Diane Feinstein, as they attempt to get these two bills out
of committee. He explained when the bills were introduced and noted it will
require a major effort o get even the slightest movement on this matter. He
indicated the matter is important because it changes one word in the
Restoration Act that had authorized the Federated Indians to move forward with
this casino developrment. That is to. change the word "shall" to "may." He
indicated the' word "shall" makes it a ministerial action on the part of the
Secretary of Interior. She has no discretion when. this comes in front of her for the
Vol. 39, Page 230 November 3, 2003
1 land to be taken into Trust: The word "may'` allows for and permits a much fuller
2 analysis of the .options in front of the, Secretary. She would be required to look: at.
3 benefits to the tribe. and detrimental impacts on surrounding communities. That
4 is what is precluded from the current Restoration Act. He stated he believes fhat
5 is why the tribe was so desperate to gef "S`ection 2T of fhe MOU signed by -the
6 City of Rohner."t Park -the City ``nc~n opposition" clause. This: clause prohibits the
7 City of Rohnert Park from taking any action to support changes 'in that.
8 Restoration Act.
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10 He noted at the last Rohnert, Park Council. Meeting he told the Council he: was
1 1 not, going to be bound by that agreement and voted against the agreement.
12 He added he no longer has any respect for that agreement and this is why he `is
13 personally in front of this Council tonight, as a personal. protest over thaf
14 particular language. He noted this doesn't even get into .other aspects of the
15 MOU. He stated the most offensive thing to him was the blatant effort by the
16 Federated Indians. to silence people on the- Rohnert Park City Council. Ne
17 stressed he will not be silenced and .asked the Council to support the resoju°tions
18 before them tonight. "
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20 He added he has committed, as an individual, to travel back to Washington, DC
21 at his own expense to lobby on behalf of passage of these state es: He .indicated
22 he has, discussed this with his Supervisor., Tim Smith, and he is' planning on doing
23 the same type of lo.bbying:ac,tivity. He h:as committed to him that he will go with
24 him at the times when he feels it is most officious. "He provided to the Council
25" some materials he picked up in Connecticut fast week regarding the Foxwoods
26 Resort and Casino:.
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28 Iv1r. Mackenzie respectfully submitted that his original idea of a small edsino right
29 behind Wal-Mart-and Horne Depot, connecting°up the Dquble Tree_ HoteL,vvould'
30 have been a much bet-ter choice'for the Rohnert Park Community.
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32 In response to ~ a question from :Council .Member' Moynihan, Mr.. Mackenzie -
33 commented that within •48 :hours of the Rohnert Park Mayor having signed the
34 MOU, he received a copy of a flyer- mailed to the public tha't'stated there would,.
35 be a brighter future for Rohnert Park, more funding for classroom materials, etc,,
36 He indicated that all of these monies. are in-lieu of receiving taxes for Transi'ent~
37 Occupancies, property taxes, and sales taxes.. He pointed ou , nciden;fally,,
38 Sonoma County and the City of Rohnert Pdrk "staff were discussing..- these
39 agreements long before anything was ever discussed.in open public session. He
40 indicated these discussions continue. He noted the County is still interested. in
41 getting something out of this.,, but it has always° been with the under standing that
42 sovereign. nations occupying, trust lands would not be subject to these taxes.
43 They were willing: to negotiate with Rohnert Park on the basis..of an equivalency.
44 He added when the new Governor takes office and: starts looking for his 25%,
45 which is what the State of Connecti'cu~t''gets from slot rriachine income, then. the:
46 renegotiation clause in the MO'U will come back ''to hau.nt~ the Mayor and
47 .Council of the City of Rohnert Park,
48
November 3, 2003 Vol. 39, Page'231
1 In response to a question by Councif Member Healy, Mr. Mackenzie repeated
2 public testimony that was made in front of the Rohnert Park Council on the night
3 of October 14!h by Ernie Carpenter, who has his own representational interests,
4 Industrial Carting. He noted Mr. Carpenter testified that it was his understanding
5 that options had been obtained on the other side of Stony Point Road from the
6 Casino site from direct real estate dealings with Mr, Poncia, who was the former
7 owner of the .lands that are being; optioned in the 360 acres. It has been
8 suggested. by Mr. Carpenter that possibly once things got going, this land would
9 also be taken into trust and then would be available for waste management
10 activities as part of the sovereign nation.
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12 Nancee Tavares, Petaluma, addressed the Council and invited them to the 5th
13 Annual Evening for the Animals to be held .Saturday, November 8, at Hermann
14 Hall.
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16 Hank Flum, Petaluma, addressed the City Council, indicating he will not vote for
17 the tax measure tomorrow and pointed out the roads don't hold up very well
18 now. He continued by commenting on areas of sidewalks at .Baker Ranch that
19 are broken. He questioned the integrity of inspections taking place and stated a
20 utility users tax won't fix that problem.
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22 Paula Skuratowicz, Petaluma, Executive. Director, Polly Klaas Foundation.,.
23 addressed and noted that on October l st'the Polly Klaas Foundation announced
24 a community initiative to bring a respected child safety education program,
25 known as Rad Kids, to the children of Petaluma. She then explained the program
26 and indicated the ,Polly Klaas Foundation and Rad Kids is committed to a long-
. 27 term multi-year effort to establish the Rad Kids Program in Petaluma.
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29 Vince Landof, ,Petaluma, addressed the City Council in opposition to the utility
30 user tax. He noted when you look at all the construction taking place around
31 town, he questioned why 'the Council isn't focusing on fixing what needs to be
32 fixed now before approving new development. He added City Council needs
33 to do some. sound reasoning and live within their budget. He asked for a clear
34 definition of what~the CARE Program.is and indicated he has seen nothing in the
35 political information regarding low-income exemptions.
36 .
37 COUNCIL:COAAMENTS AND LIAISON REPORTS
38
39 Council ~ Member Torliatt thanked Jake Mackenzie for' coming to the Council
40 Meeting and providing additional information regarding the casino issue.
41
42 In response to comments made. about the condition of the sidewalks at Baker
43 Ranch,. Council Member Torliatt indicated City staff should take a look at those
44 and not accept the work as completed from the developer, if this is true.
45
46 Council Member Torliatt thanked the speaker from the Polly Klaas Foundation for
47 being here and for sharing information on the Rad Kids Program; and urged
Vol. 39, Page 232 November3, 2003
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members of the, community to get out "and vote a~ tomorrow's general
municipal election.
In conclusion,. Council Member Torliaft mentioned she has go4tten phone calls
from people who are concerned with neighbors who have large. trees in their
yards who take them down or plan on taking ,them .,down. She commented on
how large trees can enhance neighborhoods and indicated she would like to
see the Tree Advisory Committee agendize this° issue a:nd 'talk about~requireme,nts
and permits for tree removal.
Council Member ,Healy commented on having affiended the ..Sonoma County
Transportation Authority meeting this affernoon and noted there was a
presentation on .CalTrdns° current thinking on what a Wilfred Avenue.
interchange would look like.
Councii Member Healy also encouraged °people to. get out and vote tomorrow.
With respect to~issues raised earlier regarding construction standards, he noted it
is true the City could have had stronger construction standards on the east aide
of Petaluma, He added at Council's: recommendation,. staff has increased those.
standards "about a month ago. New construction in tiie future will last longer and
be better.. He indicated there is: no; deep pocket to go against for the
construction that was. done in, those years. H'e :added, basically; the communify
needs to decide whether to .Jive with, those conditions or dip. into our packets
and fix the situation. The plan put: together b.y-the. CAC called for about -half of
the total fix to be .paid. for out of existing' City resources. For the remaining' half;
the business. community would pay 57% and residential consurnecs~ would pay
about 43%. He clarified that the: PG&E Care Program is available to'individuals
with a househgld'income of $23,000 per year for'two.
Mayor Glass explained.theotility user'tax.measure on the ballot.
Vice Mayor O'Brien .urged everyone to get out and-vote tomorrow and asked
that the evening session b.e additionally adjourned in memory' .of 'Firefight;er
Steven Rucker of the Novato Fire Department. -
CITY MANAGER' COMMENTS
There were none.
PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATIONS.
There were none.
3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. City Council Discussion and Direction . Regarding City :Boards,
Commissions 'and Committees,. '(Bierman)
November 3, 2003 Vol. 39, Page'233
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City Manager Bierman gave an overview of the item and
recommended keeping all of the commissions, committee and
boards. He stressed they do provide a bank of talent and citizen
support for the City's overall operation.
With respect to SPARC and Historic SPARC, he recommended the
following:
(a) Appointment of Historic SPARC members: Recommended that
Heritage Homes and the Petaluma Historical Museum/Library
Board recommend qualified members for Historic SPARC and
that the Council appoint those members with terms similar to
the other appointments.
(b) That the Council should also address membership categories for
SPARC including an architect, a landscape architect, an
architectural historian or historian and a building .practitioner.
He indicated he felt these positions would give the group a solid
talent base for review of development applications.
In addition, Mr. Bierman recommended the development approval
process be changed to provide for SPARC to do a full review of a
formal application dt the same time as staff and committees. At
that time, all comments, conditions, and site plan and architectural
concerns are incorporated into the application. With the
recommended. change, once Council approves the application,
the developer can build. -
He noted he has discussed this change with. SPARC and the
Planning Commission and both are receptive to the change. If
Council. approves this direction, he would recommend a joint
meeting of the two boards with staff to finalize the details and bring
it back to the Council in resolution form. He indicated he would
also involve the development community to get their input.
With respect to the recommendation by some CAC members that
they, in some official form, serve in an advisory capacity to
Community Development staff, as well as to SPARC and the
Planning Commission, he noted the CAC's vision, policy direction
and regulatory recommendations are already embodied in the
adopted plan. He indicated they have completed the work they
were charged to do and it is now the responsibility of the City
Council, Planning Commission, SPARC, and City staff to implement
the plan as adopted. He additionally stated the Specific Plan
already acknowledges and supports SPARC's role as the decision-
maker on architectural and urban design related applications in
the Specific Plan area. An advisory committee could confuse or
compromise that role.
Vol. 39, Page 234 November 3, 2003
City Council discussion ensued regarding noticing requirements
and clarified with staff there: is no "notice. giVzn prior to Preliminary
SPARC review.
Council Member Torliatt expressed a concern, with the lack of a
definition for''building pracfioner`' and indicated she would.-need a
better definition for this if if were used.
Council Member Moynihan indicated he had asked about
thoughts #or .the: formation of an economic development
committee and'the City Manager noted he would still have to take
a look at that as he only looked at the existing committees.
-Public Input:.
:Sheri Cardo, Nlecnbec of the Animal. Advisory Committee:,.
addressed the City Council regarding :the vague of the committee
and gave an overview of their history:. .She, indicated they are the
voice of the community regarding dnima¢shelter matters: .
Dusty Resnick, Ped./Bicycle. Comm:, addressed the .City Council
and. stated he was glad to hear the City Ntanager's .
recommendations. Mr. Resnick then explained the committee's
focus with respect to pedestrians.
Katherine Rinehart, Pefaluma' Museum, addressed the City Council
regarding opportunities for'. public input with respect to the new
procedure.
Marianne .Hurley addressed the Counci( regarding Historic SPARC.
She indicated her support for the City Mdnager`s
recommendations. and added the number of preliminary SPARC
appearances hould be 'limited so that SPARC is not doing 'the.
designing for them.
Council .Member Torliatt asked the Council to consider that there
be full noticing of ,preliminary SPARC projects bdsed on the 50Cj-foot
radius. -She additionally noted there is a need to make sure. it
doesn't create a marathon 'pre;liminary SPARE process: She
commented committees arE one of the City's greatest assets and
. should be enhanced rather than taken away from. She added she
thinks developers like getting ;feedback early in their process and
supports the process .change. She concluded by noting the City
Manager''s proposed membership for SPARC is fine.
Council :Member Harris noted the abundance of talent in the
community. He indicated he 'is supportive of the City Manager's
November 3, 2003 Vol. 39, Page 235
recommendations regarding the committees and agrees with the
2. recommended changes in the development review process. With
3 respect to an Economic Development Advisory Committee.,. he
4 would be in favor of one dnd would like to discuss. their purview.
5 He added he would also recommend a Charter Review
6 Committee to review and make recommended changes to the
7 Charter.
8
9 Council Member Canevaro gave kudos to people in audience
10 servings on committees. He noted the work hard and time they
11 have .given to our community. He stated he supports moving
12 forward on the. recommendations regarding the committees and
13 ~ planning process.. He concluded with stating concerns with
14 ~ noticing and indicated the earlier the better.
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16 -LL= Council Member Healy concurred with comments thanking
17 committee and commission members and indicated it's what
18 makes things work in Petaluma. He noted he concurs with all the
19 City Manager's recomme:nd_ations. With respect to the categories
20 recommended for SPARC, he cautioned staff to be careful not to
21 exclude general members of the public for consideration. He
22 noted he would support a minimum of one architect and one
23 landscape architect. Regarding Preliminary SPARC, he indicated
24. that could be a work in progress regarding process. He indicated
25 noticing is something City Hall has struggled with over the years. He
26 noted there are three. types of noticing -mail out, publishing in the
27 local newspaper, and hutting signs on the project site. He would
28 like staff to look into signs on development sites for all hearings
29 and/or developrpenf• gpplicafiions in general. Regarding the
30 Economic Development Committee suggestion, he .noted he
31 would rafher see the Council hold off on this until the Council has
32 discussed the .retail linkage analysis. He noted the suggestion for a
33 Charter Review Committee has merit and indicated he recognizes
34 the Issue' 'is never urgent, but the Charter is becoming more and.
35 more out of date.. He concluded by stating he concurs with the
36 City Manager's recommendations for the .development review
37 process.
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39 Vice Mayor O'Brie.nindicated he shared concerns expressed with.
40 limiting members of the general public on.SPARC. He thanked the
41 committees and members fora the work they put in. He recognized
42 Tammy Benson for a proposed program she brought forward to the
43 Animdl Services Advisory Committee. He indicated he is willing to
44 wait on an Economic Development .Committee. With regard to
45 noticing, he urged staff to take a look at using the Press Democrat
46 versus. the Argus. He concluded by indicated he would support a
47 .Charter Review Committee when the City Manager thinks it's right.
vol. 39, Page 236 November 3, 2003
He indicdt`ed his support of fhe recommendations of the City
Manager:
'Council. Member .Moynihan commented or,~ the internal' cost of
committees, indicating "there is an external cost ds well. • He added
public noticing is costly dlso. He indicated he would like to continue-
to look at processes 'to see. if there ace dregs- to stredmline.. H'e
indicated ..his support of `the recommendations for the Animal
Services Advisory Cornmitfee. He commented the Fed,estrian and
Bicycle Committee is an issue for lm. He indicated they were
primarily 'formed to deaf., •with TDA funds and to make
recommenddtons to fhe City Council:, He stated he feels. the•
Council should rely on staff to follow the 'Biko Plan:.. With .regard to
SPARC lie .indicated he feels they should be expanded and
perhaps merge Historic SPARC and S'PARC, uggesting .also that
there:be q representafive of the Pedestrian and Bicycle' Committee
on SPARC'.
Council ;M'ember' Canevdro commented the Pedestrian and •
Bicycle Committee have: an 18=point plan they run through with
every. project brought before them.
Mayor' Glass summarized: by stating "the: Cduncil is. pleased with
' what' they are seeing in terms of productivity from 'fh:e various
Boards and Committees -and, `indicated, the City Manager's
recorrimendations may make them more efficient. With regard. to
SPARC, he, too, felt the, public 'should still have one •seat of
.representation., With respecf to noticing he indicated both the use
of signs and newspapers would be helpful. He concluded. by
• ;indicating his desire to see developers continue to go ,before
preliminary SPARC.
Council Member Torliatt commented on her support for signs, as
wwell as story poles on project sites.
Council Member Healy clarified with staff that the Planning
Commission. has adopted a,formdl procedure for story poles:
Council .Member Moynihan stated. he supports a policy of that type
and that it should come fo :the Council for adoption. With regard
`to the composition of .SPARC, he would like to see an architect,
'.historic liaison, Planning Commission liaison, two at large positions, a
Bike;Commttee.member, and a andscape architect:
Council Member Healy commented ~he supports the City
'• Mana.ger's recommendation and suggested things slow down
• -when you add more people to the process..
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November 3, 2003
Vol. 39, Page 237
Given the above comments, the City Manager indicated he felt he
had direction and would:- bring; .back to the City Council any
enacting documents necessary to make the recommended
changes.
The Cify Council recessed of 8:40 p.m, fo 8:57 p.m.
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Discussion and/or Possible Consideration of Resolutions Opposing
the Alternative: Sites for the Casino Proposed by the Federated
Indians of'fhe Graton Rancheria. (Bierman)
City Manager Bierman gave an overview of the resolutions and
options before the City Council.
Public Input:
Mary Mc,Eachron, .North. Las Vegas ~on the Norfh Bay Organization,
addressed the City Council and urged them to adopt a resolution similar
to the other communities. She added-the Council should oppose a casino
in Petaluma, too.. She suggested changing the proposed resolutions
before the City~`Council ~to _incl~de language at the end of the City of
Healdsburg's resolution, which 'would prohibit the Tribe from taking into
trust any additional tribal lands in Sonoma.County.
Council Member Moynihan supported adding the language from the
Healdsb~urg'resolution, which would be the last three "resolves."
Council ,Member Torliatt commented on the importance of talking with
the Sheraton folks and asking that they assist in lobbying at the federal
level with connections. they have.
Council Member Healy expressed his support and indicated the biggest
single. impact on the region and on Petaluma in particular, is the
additiondl~ congestion on Highway 101. He noted the brief discussion
regarding 'the letter he sent to SCTA: last week and that will be agendized
for the December Meeting. He added that Rohnert Park cut a deal that is
good for Rohnert Park, but there is a $400M funding gap for construction
of.the widening of the freeway through to Novato. He noted the MOU
signed by Rohnert Park calls out the Wolford Avenue interchange as
something that is very important to the Casino's success and something
that Rohnert Park and the Casino were going to try to fast track. In terms
of fast tracking, the design that was looked at SCTA this afternoon was a
very large interchange project. The construction staging on that would
take a time period of three construction seasons, which is slightly less than
three years. He suggested, as he did in his letter, that given the fact that
the Rancheria and Rohnert Park aren't proposing to contribute any funds
Vol. 39, Page 238
November3, 2003
1 for the' additional congestion on Highway TO1, that interchange be
2 dropped down lower on the prioritization list: He •indc.ated he will be
3 talking with the City Mana"ge~r` afjout this and most likely we will have to
4 have a discussion at the first meeting in December regarding some other
5 SCTA issues.
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7 Mayor Glass supported Counci(Member H,ealy's strategy on that issue.
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9 Vice Mayor O'Brien indicated his support for both of the resolutions and
10 changes suggested by Council Member M'oynihan.." He concluded by
1 1 thanking staff for the report:
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13 Council Member .Harris. thanked staff :for the report and indicated he is
14 against a casino~'in `or around Petaluma, stating the biggest issue is traffic..
. 15 He conclucLed by indicating he will,: be~supp.orting all three- resolutions
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17 Councif Memb:erCanevaro,sta'ted hissupport for'ffe recommendations..
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19 Couricil;Member Moynihan recognized th;e traffic and impacts on Wolford
20 Avenue; but stated the greafer impact would be ,the establishment of
21 duty=free zones.
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23 MOTION to adopt`the following resolutions and motion for direction:
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25 N1/S Canevaro and~0`Brien: ~C~ARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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27 Resolution 2003=:219 N.C:S. Supporting Mayors'' ,and Councilmembers'
28 Association Letter to Federal Representatives Regarding Indian Gaming,
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30 Resolution 2003;=220 N:C:S: Supporting Revi§ioris [HR~ 2656/5,1342] in Federal
31 Legislative Requirements Related to Gaming Proposals and Associated.
32 Major Tribal 'Ehferprises Proposed by the Federated Indians of the Graton
33 Rancheria.
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35 Motion to Authorize City Manager to Enter Into Discussions with the
36 Federated. Indians of the Grafon Rdncheria; to Expl~~re Possible Mitigation
37 Measures to Foreseeable Impacts to the City of Pe"taluma`s Infrastructure.
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39 ADJOURN
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41 The City' Council adjourned their meeting .at 9:.T5 p:m. in memory of Firefighter
42 Steven Rucker, Novato Fire Department.
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November 3, 2003
Vol. 39, Page 239.
r
David G ass, Mayor
Attest:
Gayle `tersen, City Clerk
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