HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 05/22/2000May 22, 2000 Vol: 34, Page 491
1 City of Petaluma, California -
2 Minutes of a Special
3 ~ City Council Meeting ° '
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6 Monday, May 22,:2000
7 Council Chambers
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10 The Petaluma City Council met on this date in the Council Chambers at 6:00 p.m.
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12 ROLL CALL
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14 PRESENT: Council Me_"tubers Cader-Thompson, Hamilton. (6:15 p.m.), Keller (6:08
15 p.m:), Maguire:; Vice Mayor Torliatt; Mayor Thompson
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17 ABSENT:. Council Member Healy
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19 PUBLIC COMMENT
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21 None
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23 CLOSED: SESSION ,
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25 City Attorney Richard Rudnansky :announced they Council would adjourn to the City
26 Manager's Conference Room ao address: the~following Closed Session item:
27 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COIDNSEL, Anticipated Litigation -Significant Exposure.
28 to Litigation Pursuant fo Subdivision (b) of Government Code Section 54956.9 (One
29 Potential Case) -
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31 ADJOURN
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33 The Closed Session adjourned at 7:0.0_: p.rn. ~-
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36 RECONVENE
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38 The City Council reconvened on this date at~7:00 p m. in the City CouncilGhambers. .
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40 ROLL CALL -
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42 PRESENT: Council Members Cader-Thompson, Hamilton (6:15 p.m.); Keller (6:Q8
43 p.rn.), Maguire; Vice Mayor Tor.liatt; Mayor~Thompson .
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45 ABSENT: Council Member Healy ~~
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Vol. 34, Page.492~
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May 22, 2000
1 REPORT ON-CLOSED SESSION .
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3 Mayor Thompson announced that no reportable action was taken. during Closed
4 Session
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6 PLE®GE OF ALLEGIANCE
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8 At'the request of Mayor Thompson, Terence Garvey led th°e Pledge of Allegiance.
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10 MOMENT OF SILENCE _
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12 At the request. of Mayor Thompson,. a Nlom,ent of Silence was observed.
i3 Mayor Thompson asked to close the meeting in honor of Lynne Lipscher wh-o died, over
14 the past weekend from cancer.. Lynne was a member of the Petaluma Valley Hospital .
15 Board of Directors and one of the founders of the Free-Clinic.
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17 PUBLIC-COMMENT
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19 Alison Marks spoke. regarding fhe art show exhibited in' the lobby- of City Hall. and .in
20 favor of City Mall as a community art gallery; that is, showcasing the communify!s
21 artwork at City Hall in s.up,port of Council's goal to support.. arts in the community:
22 Council Member Hamilton stated she was in favor of having artwork on display in the
23 chambers and~would like to see sculptures in the City's parks a.nd public places.-
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2:5 .Terence Garvey,. 83 Maria Drive; asked whether statements .that had been previously
26~ made regarding the. City overspending its income by $1'2~millic~n, for three~:years; .and a
27 projection of ~a'~ total $18 million shortfall was correct; if note, he wanted to have the
28 corrected #igures, disclosed.
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30 `City .Manager Sfouder said 'the amount was not correct. and' that the issue would' .be,
31 addressed during budget .meetings
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33 Mr. Garvey asked.~:for ~clarifieation that the: Council would not offer or contribute to a
34 reward for the .arrest aril conviction of the perpetrators -involved in the Fishman hate
3'S crime:. The Chief of` Police 'had recommended. Council. not offer a reward :and he asked.
36 if that wasgoing to be' a-policy of-the City.
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38 .Mayor Thompson explained that~.there had been no discussion about this as a Council.
39 Perhaps there was a need to discuss this in the future. If ~~the publicthought>'if was
40 .necessary for; the Council to set policy in this area, they would. It had been,
41 recommended not to set precedent at this time.
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43~ Mr. Garvey°-furthered -that based.: on the conditions of tf's case, hate cri'rnes were the
44, worst type of° crimes. He suggested the Cityhave a public: rrieetng regarding a policy
45 for the City.
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May 22, 2000 Vol. 34, Page 493
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Connie Madden;' 21.5 V1/ater Street, spoke in favor of :Petaluma Community Access and
in favor of the public continuing to;look info the .legality of A.T. & T's ads and statements.
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COUNCIL COMIVIEIVY
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Council Member Keller:
^ Thanked Allison Marks and Josh for coming, #o the. meeting and pointing out the art
exhibit:. andencouraged' anyone. in the public to participate in future planning. for City
Hall. ~ ~ `
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^ Noted that ~Marin Municipal V1later; District (MM1ND) wanted to build its own pipeline.
to bypass 'the'y North Marn owned pipeline: H.e wanted City Management to
research where the location was ~ to be in Petaluma. He wanted to see what the
proposal was;.ahat is, get'a summary Sheet from MMWD.
^ Noted that a~2:30 p.m._ meeting on May 23, 2000 would take place at the Board of
Supervisors :Cliambers to discuss the :County Parks Plan. Of particular interest to
the community was 'the omission, at this point, .of any future acquisitions on the west
face of Sonoma. Mountain. He added. that lie planned to attend this meeting.
^ Asked City Management to put signs up before the construction began on the "D"
Street Bridge.
Council Member Maguire:
^ Explained that the Open Space .District's Acquisition Plan would be discussed.
Noted that the west side.of Sonoma Mountain was excluded from acquisitions.
Vice Mayor Torliatt:
^ Stated that Council asked City Management to provide an update of the "D" Street
Bridge closure, the status of the marketing program. The Council had directed City
Management to, hire, someone. to create. a -marketing plan; neither she nor the
Bicycle Committee had been contacted, and she wondered whom else that person
had not contacted.
Mr. Stouder stated there would be an update regarding. that at the next meeting.
Public Facilities and Services Director Rick Skladzien stated that staff was currently
working on an;.update to provide to the Council
Council Member Cader-Thompson:
^ Asked that.~City Management send a staff member to the Sonoma County Open
Space Districf meeting; at on May 23r~ and stressed the importance of the meeting.
She was not. available as she was working.
^ Looked forward_to the update regarding the "D" Street Bridge.
Uol. 34, Page 494 May 22, 2000
1 . Mentioned an article in the newspaper ..regarding AT&T antitled AT&T` Cut .Backs,
2 Moves and Knocks Public.KRCB fm Cable~Off (in .Healc~sburg). She noted that.
3 AT&T seemed "to be monopolizing Sorioma~ County anc~ other cities: should be
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aware. - ,
Reiterated that City Management should w.~ork .with the ~ Open Space 'District to
purchase property `in the Corona Reach, floodplain .area "foe a large soccer complex.
She stated that discussion with property owners: was needed; when this had been
done, she wanfed. the Parks and Recreation Departrnent;to, begin,~sending letters to
the Open- ,Space. District, -She thought the. use of -this property.as soccer, fields
.. _, _
would greatly benefit the community and was .welt deserved by the youth: `~
Noted her appreciation to City Management and-the;'Mayor for theirefforts and for
the preparations that made the recent trip to Washington, "~.C. effecti;ve.
Announced thafi a collea ue, .Ma , Thom son; was kil,
rou of doctors :comity gback from Mexpo. Ma , N~led in airplane crash with a.
g p g ry as' a kind, compassionate ,
adventurous person and .she' was .saddened to hear-of, the~tragedy. She asked that
Council ,close the:. meeting. in the memory of Mary Thompson and;. Lynne Lipscfier.
Council agreed to :close the meeting in memory of Mary Thompson and Lynne. Lipscher.
CO:UfVCIL AIVD CITY MANAGEMENT REPORTS, "
City Manager Fred Stouder:
^ Stated there would be a written report next week to summarize the activities that
took pl"ace in V1/ashngton D.C. He concurred with Council.- I~~ember Cader-Thompson;
regarding the success ofi the trip. The legislators as well as the administrative side.
of the. federal government was working on new authorization language so that the
City of Petalumacould be reimbursed for the flood project. There was no, doubt that
authorization language would be introduced. The effort then would be to assure ifs
passage..
The Co,uncif had ..met with members of the sub-committees ,responsible for reporting
out. the authorization language and the subsequent appropriation. The long-terra
strategy .of new authorization would be to allow 65% to 75% federal contribution as,.
opposed to the 15%o committed to currently. The immediate issue,.. that of
responsibility for the $2.5 million invoice, was still `critical day by day. City
Management was working diligently towards an immediate appropriation: or
reprogramming of funds; there were several things being :asked for.
S y ... .
40 Encourage the Corps to find a way for appropriation or reprogramming of funds to
41 occur not subject fo the limitations of Section 205.. _ , , `-
42 -
43 If that was not possible legally, ask. for a supplemental appropriation now. A
44 supplemental' appropriation was working. its way through-Congress ':for this fiscal
45 year. The City would ask as a second -option an appropriation "in the :Supplemental
46 Committee; .meeting currently,- subject to authorization. :If-authorization .language 'is
47 in fact passed in the fall, money would be app_"ropriated retr~~actively.
May 22, 2000 Vol. 34, Page 495
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A Conference Committee combining authorization and appropriation: When the
supplemental budget got through both Houses there was a Conference Committee
to determine if that language, in dollars, could be put into the budget.
Include in the .authorization a Conference Report for continuation and re-
programming of funtls.
Mr. Stouder:
^ Emphasized the complexity of the issue. There had been ten sessions over three
days. The focus of the three days in Washington, D.C. was relief from the current
invoice.
^ Understood that a new authorization was justified and would be introduced.
However, introduction did not. guarantee passage. The Council was aware that the
City did not have the available funds'to pay the invoice.
^ By June 5th' a ,report would be forthcoming regarding how that may or may not be
handled. At this time, he saw no choice but to recommend not paying the invoice.
^ Hoped that in the next two weeks,. some significant action would occur in
Washington D.C.
Vice Mayor Torliatt:
^ Noted that the money would. not be forthcoming soon; it would take a while, maybe
years, to get the fiull appropriation back.
^ Explained that there could be $25 million coming. back to the City if there was 75%
participation by the federal government.
Mr. Stouder:
® Clarified that the initial gap was $12 million. The reimbursement possibilities could..
be $17 million. or more depending on the full cost of the. project, which was still under
discussion, and whether the federal government .participation was 65% or 75%.
^ Agreed with Vice Mayor Torliatt that it could take. several years to .receive
appro,pr.iation after authorization. However; the push was for appropriation and
authorization now.
^ .Based on their meeting in D.C., the Council was aware that: an authorization did not
necessarily guarantee appropriation:. Appropriations may not be released by the
Office of Management and Budget: It was important to get as much of the
appropriation as .possible now. The City would need to spend as much time as it
had during the next. six. months toward getting all the appropriations available and
reimbursed.. So far, the City was on the right path.
AGENDA CFIANG'ES,_ADDITIOIVS, AND DELETIONS
None
Vol. 34, Page 496
May 22; 2000
1 UNFINISHED BUSINESS
. 2
3 1. Status: Report; Discussion and Resolution Directing City Management: To Go
4 Forward °1Nith Option Selected By Council For Design: of the Petaluma 'Transit
5 Mall. (Skladzen/Ryan)
6
7 Program Coordinator James Ryan provided background .and reminded Council of
8 the reeerit meeting with the NVVPRA (North West Pacifiic Rail Authority). Flans
9 for the depot site~were discussed and the Rail Authority had responded with a list
10 of recommendations included with Council's packet. He then, reviewed the
11 options.
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13 Mayor Thompson clarified that the. Council was only approving Phase 1 of the
14 project.
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16 Director of Public Facilities and Services Rick ~ Skladzien ,explained: that City
17 Management. was trying; to get approval 'for 'Phase I with recommendations for
18 the second phase; that is, Council's recommendation of Coneepf C; D or E.
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20 Council Member Keller asked for confirmation that R~MA Design Group would
21 not move the station buildings on the. property.
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23 Mr. Ryan replied that he was. correct.
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2S Council Member Keller:
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27 ^ Asked for more information on-some of the particu ars.
28 ^ Indicated that he wanted the shelters to ,look like a permanent bus shelter and
29 not a "patchwork of older'fixtures"that fit together.
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31 Mr. Ryan agreed with Councif'Mei~nber Keller..
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33 Mr. Skladzien, explained that. City Management` wanted to get the. Council
34 direction for the option and then develop the design concept down the :road.
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36 Council'Member Maguire: -
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38 ^ Looked: fonivard `to helping, with. the design concept and'. asked' about the
39 District's-recommendation of Option C.
40 ^ Wanted to :propose changes such as apermanent. structure on Copeland with
41 a pedestrian plaza to create- pedestrian synergy. He~ preferred Option C'. -
42 ^ INas interested in working on the design conceits and wondered "how
43 permanent was permanent;"~ if there was a go-ahead on Copeland; and what
44 would trigger .going into the design development.
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May 22, 2000
Vol. 34, Page 497
1 .. Council Member Hamilton:
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3 ~ -® ~ Agreed with Maguire that. a permanent structure on Copeland was desirable.
4 ® Expressed concern about traffic backing up if a signal light was installed.
5 ® Asked that .the street be one-way.
6 ® 1Nanted a large plaza and a fountain.
7 ® Favored Option C.
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9 Mr. Ryan replied "yes," that it could be -one-way street.
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11 Council Member Cader-Thompson:
13 ® Noted that this was a great opportunity to increase pedestrian mobility in the
14 community.
15 ® Preferred. a free :turning lane to automatically flow onto Lakeville.
16 ® Wanted to look at a variety of options:
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18 Vice Mayor Torliatt inquired if the street would need to be widened.
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20 Mr. Skladzien replied,.. "no," the project was designed to stay within the right-of-
21 way.
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23 _ Council Member Cader-Thompson asked if there was sufficient room for buses
24 ~~ and;,cars.
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26 ~ Mr. Skladzien• replied that there would be no parking for cars.
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28 •' Council Member Maguire,was opposed to traffic signals on Copeland.
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30 Council Member Hamilton noted that if there was to be commercial build-out,
31 parking was needed.
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33 - Mayor Thompson ;replied that that was a part of the Central Petaluma Specific
34 Plan ~ "' "
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36 _~ V_ ice Mayor Torliatt asked if the design included bike lanes.
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38 ~ Mr, Skladzien replied, "yes," they were looking at plans that included a lane off
39 the road.
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41 Council Member Keller thought that getting the cyclist off the street would be a
42 "~ good idea.
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Vol. 34, Page 498 May 22, 2000
PUBLIC COMMEND
Bryant Moynihan, Dawn Place,. ackn"owledged Mr,. Ryan's efforts and ,suggested
the .Council move forward with Options C.
Vice. Mayor Torliaft inquired' if the work could be eompueted while: the "D" Street
Bridge was closed f.or construction.
Mr:_Ryan indicated it would happen after the bridge'.construction.
Vice.Mayor Torliatf:
^ Wanted the plans to come back.to Council. for sidewalk/design review:
^ Did not support a traffic signal of ''D" and. Copeland Streets;
^ Supported a roundabout; at Copeland and East ''b" streets: .
® Inquired if the Rail ..Authority .was going to, pay :their share of icnprouements-fgr
the traffic circle;sidewalk, curbs and' gutters.
Mr. Ryan noted #hat those were good questions:
Mr. Skladzien noted the Vice Mayor's comments as good points..
Viee Mayor Torliaft:
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^ Favored' having:an:agreement with the Rail Authority for parking.. She: wanted
City Management to pursue it and indicated "that she. favored more parking
area foward Copeland Street. ~ ~ - `=
^ Thought interim parking was needed; there was no -need.'for ;permanent
infrastructare for a parking area. '~ -~ '" ~~
^ Supported moving :ahead with :Ph'ase I and upgrading the treet. ~.
Council Member Keller: ~ y -
^ Agreed. with Ms: Torliaft regarding; the parking :on the street, `~' ~ ,
^ Stated that the .baggage building needed to; 'remain available Ito "tfe RaiG
Authority. .~
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^ Added'that the Rail Authority needed'to find a "new Ic~cation"`for the team, track.
City Managemen"t needed to ensure that the Rail Authority accomplished that
in a timely manner. ~ ~ .
MOTION:: Council Member Torliaft mooed,. seconded :by"" Caller-Thompson.
Resolution ,Directing City Management To Go Forward'With,ROption
C For ®esign of the PetalumaTransit Mall "'
MOTION - ~ }
PASSED: 6-0-1 (Healy absent)
May 22, 2000
Vol. 34, Page 499
1 CLOSED. SESSION - 8:05 P.IUI.
2
3 City Attorney Rich Rudnansky announced Council would adjourn to Closed Session in
4 the City Manager's Conference Room to continue discussion of the following:
5
6 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL, Anticipated Litigation -Significant Exposure-
? to Litigation Pursuant to Subdivision (b) of Government Code Section 54956.9 (One
8 Potential Case)
9
10 ADJOURN
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12 The Closed Session adjourned at 8:10 P.M.
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14 No reportable action taken.
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16 ADJOURN
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18 The meeting adjourned at 8:10 P.M.
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25 ATTEST:
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28 d~~
Beverly J. Kline, Cty'Cler
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E. Clark Thompson, Mayor
34 ******