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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 06/29/1998June 29, 1998 Vo1.32, Page 1 i MINUTES z ®F A ItEGULAIt 1VIEETING 3 PETALIJMA CITY C®UNCIL a M®NIDAY, ~IJIVE 29, 1998 5 ROLL CALL 3:00 p.m. 6 Present: Keller, Torliatt, Read, Vice Mayor Maguire, Mayor Hilligoss ~ Absent: Hamilton, Stompe s PUBLIC C®MMENT 9 Ruben Goldstein, 500 Orchard Lane, Penngrove -said since he lives in an area served by the io Petaluma sewer system, and since the city is going to the voters about the `issue of a i i boundary for the extension of the Petaluma's sewer services,' and he refers to Resolution 89- 12 68 NCS. A map he has obtained about the urban growth boundary does not show his 13 property as a sanitary sewer potential user, although he paid into Assessment District 6. He is questioned the legitimacy of Petaluma voters voting on their rights to sewer. is Geoff Cartwright, 56 Rocca Drive -to Mayor Hilligoss, Councilmembers Read and Stompe: ~6 he will not vote for an assessment for Rainier crossover and .interchange. The future flooding i~ patterns mentioned by City Engineer Hargis disturb him. With continued upstream is development, someone is gotng to drown. You will be responsible. City Engineer Hargis 19 noted the information he related on future flooding was developed by the U. S. Army Corps Zo of Engineers 21 C®UNCIL C®MMENT' zz PT -when will we be talking about the budget in depth? City Manager Fred Stouder advised 23 the July 6 agenda has been cleared so there is time for that sort of budget discussion. He Za noted the various Councilmember schedules are very difficult in July. You need the PCDC Zs consultant's report prior to doing the PCDC budget. At this time due to vacations of the z6 parties that need to be involved, it has not been possible to schedule the discussions that are z~ necessary. zs DK -Eve Dusendorf contacted him about sidewalks between McNear Avenue and Country 29 Club Estates. It was noted that the City Engineer is responding to that. 3o Regarding the Animal Services Committee, what ground rules for members of the Committee 3t to visit the site? Can they see the operations behind the public scenes and can this be done 32 with or without appointment? Assistant City Manager Beatty advised those ground rules 33 were discussed and there was concern with the issue of how to control people coming in and 3a out. The contractor is willing to provide all information that is available to the committee. It 3s would be preferable to provide the whole group the identical information at one time or, if 36 the numbers of the group would be too much to handle at one time, to divide the group into 37 two or three visitations. It was the feeling of the majority of the committee that anyone who 3a had a specific request for tours for any reason that those requests be rriade through the 39 committee, or that can be brought up with staff (Assistant Manager Beatty), or with the ao Council liaison Pamela Torliatt. Key to abbreviations: JH-Councibnember Jane Hamilton, NR-Councilmember Nancy Read PH--Mayor M. Patricia Hilligoss, MS Councilmember Mary Stompe DK- Councilmember David Keller, PT-Councilmember Pamela Torliatt MINI--Vice Mayor Matt Maguire Page 2, Vol. 32 June 29, 1998 ~ They are trying to visit the shelter in smaller groups. City Attorney Rudnansky said that as 2 long as the tours are not interfering with the Humane Society, there is no issue. DK asked 3 that the City Attorney give the committee a letter on that so they know their limits. a City Manager Stouder said that the Humane Society and the City .are interested in setting up s meetings with the Council to discuss the history and the future of the facility. They have 6 taken this as `monitoring' and the City wants to be sensitive to that reaction. ~ DK - I don't see the Committee in a `monitoring position' at all. a MM -this wasn't the intention of the Council for them to be in a `monitoring position.' With 9 the City Attorney's memorandum, this should be fine. He would be happy as time permits to io meet with the other gentleman and Mr. Knapp. it City Manager Stouder asked if the Council would like to have a special meeting or would iz you prefer for us to schedule three times and arrange meetings in twos and threes to ask r3 questions? is NR -regarding the Mosquito Abatement District building which is being vacated, do you is want to put that on an agenda so we can discuss it? Note: That is scheduled for July 20. t6 PT -she participated. with the Petaluma Progressives on Sunday. It was a great community i~ gatherYng place for people to express their thoughts and opinions. rs CONSENT CALENDAR i9 The following items which are noncontroversial and which have been reviewed by the City zo Council and staff were enacted by one motion which was introduced by MM and seconded by zi PT. zz Ayes: Keller, Torliatt, Read, Vice Mayor Maguire, Mayor Hilligoss 23 Noes: None 2a Absent: Hanulton, Stompe 2s RESO.98126 NCS 26 APPLY GRANT -WATERSHED 2~ Resolution 98-126 NCS approving application for a grant from the Resource Conservation 2s District for CalFed funding of Watershed Enhancement Projects. z9 RESO. 98-127 NCS 3o APPLY GRANT -TRAFFIC -GIS 31 Resolution 98-127 NCS authorizing application by the Engineering Department for a 32 $30,000 grant from the Office of Traffic Safety for the development of a GIS-based Collision 33 Identification and Analysis Program. 34 * * * * * End of Consent Calendar Key to abbreviations: JH-Councilmember Jane Hamilton, NR-Councilmember Nancy Read PH-Mayor M. Patricia Hilligoss, MS-Councibnember Mary Stompe DK- Councilmember David Keller, PT-Councilmember Pamela Torliatt MM-Vice Mayor Matt Maguire June 29, 1998 Vo1.32, Page 3 1 ICES®. 98-1281VCS 2 VEHICLE LICENSE T'AX - ®PP®SE REDUCTION 3 Resolution 98-128 NCS opposing any reduction in the State's Vehicle License Tax. a Introduced by NR, seconded by PT. NR doesn't think there will be a backfill from the state s on their proposed reduction in the Vehicle License Tax. PT asked the City Manager how the 6 City will address the $2 Million shortfall if this occurs. City Manager Stouder said beginning ~ in August, we are going to start making a 20% and a 10% budget reduction study whereby s the staff will make suggestions how work can be reduced and how processes can become 9 more .streamlined. The Department Heads will look at `things' that we can stop doing, or do 1o in a different manner. It is his feeling as well as that of his peers that the Vehicle License Tax 11 will, indeed, be reduced. The budget being presented to the City Council today is a rolled 1z over budget from the last fiscal year. There are no increases for the projects the Council 13 would like staff to pursue. This leaves the City with ayear-end balance 1n June, 1999, of 1a $326,000. MM is outraged with this. This will benefit the wealthiest the most. DK there has 1s been an attempt to reduce the size of government over the past years. This move without a 16 replacement of money from the State would help municipalities to go bankrupt. This is 17 extraordinarily irresponsible. Introduced by NR, seconded by PT. 1s Ayes: Keller, Torliatt, Read, Vice Mayoi' Maguire, Mayor Hilligoss 19 Noes: None 20 Absent: Hamilton, Stompe i1 ICES®, 98-129 NCS 22 RETAIN OUTSIDE COUNSEL - LAFFERT~' z3 Resolution 98-'129 NCS approving retention of Shute, Mihaley & Weinberger, 369 Hayes sa Street, San Francisco, CA 94102, as outside counsel for Lafferty Ranch. City Attorney as Rudnansky said he is authorized to select outside counsel when necessary, and he has 26 touched base with these and other firms over the last several years when there has been a 2~ question on isolated issues. In response to the CounciP s question as to the cost of this issue, zs he stated that there are so many uncertainties and variables, there is no answer to that z9 question at this time. The firm will bill the city on a monthly basis. MM said that NR could 3o ask them to lay off of us. City Attorney Rudnansky said he will watch the outside counsel 3i like a hawk when it comes to billing. The law firms which responded to the request for 3z proposals were McCutchen, Doyle, Brown & Enersen; Meyers, Nave, Rlback, Silver & 33 Wilson; and Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger. Introduced by MM, seconded by DK. 34 Ayes: Keller, Torliatt, Vice Mayor Maguire 3s Noes: Read, Mayor Hilligoss 36 Absent: Hamilton, Stompe 37 * -Read voted `no' because this is not a fiscally prudent action in the midst of the potential 3s loss of $2 Million from State reduction of Vehicle License Fee 39 -Mayor Hilligoss voted `no' because we are opening up ourselves for a very large bill. ao CLOSED SESSION ai At 4:00 p.m. the Council went into Closed Session to discuss: a2 -CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL -EXISTING LITIGATION Subdivision (a) of a3 Government Code § 54956.9 Lionsgate Corporation vs. City of Petaluma Sonoma County a4 Superior Court Case No. 218960 Key to abbreviations: JH-Councilmember Jane Hamilton, NR-Councilmember Nancy Read PH-Mayor M. Patricia Hilligoss, MS-Councilmember Mary Stompe DK- Councilmember David Keller, PT-Councilmember Pamela Torliatt MM--Vice Mayor Matt Maguire ~~~~ •,} Page 4, Vol. 32 June 29; 1998 i -CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL -EXISTING LITIGATION Subdivision (a) of z Government Code § 54956.9 Mock vs. Hunter Sacramento Superior Court Case No. 3 97AS00848 a -CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL -EXISTING LITIGATION Subdivision (a) of s Government Code § 54956.9 City of Petaluma vs. Bettman Sonoma County Superior Court 6 Case No. 219212 ~ -CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL -INITIATION O:F LITIGATION s Pursuant to subdivision (c) of Government Code § 54956.9 (1 case) 9 There was nothing to report out of Closed Session. io ADJOURN i~ At 5:00 p.m., the Council adjourned to dinner at Kabuki on Petaluma Blvd. South. is RECONVENE 7:00 g.m. 13 Present: Keller, Torliatt, Hamilton, head, Stompe, Vice Mayor Maguire, Mayor H111igoss is Absent: Hamilton, Stompe is PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE i6 Kay Russo led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. i~ MOMENT OF SILENCE is PUBLIC COMMENT i9 Iohn FitzGerald, representing the Petaluma River Festival, noted that the Schooner Alma will zo be coming up the Petaluma River earlier than in the past. The River Festival has donated 2i funds to the Sea Scouts. sz Richard DeGraf, Petaluma River Festival -they have completed 60 feet of docking space in 23 the Turning Basin. 2a Kay Russo, 837 Rancho Way -the response time for emergency vehicles is very important. 2s The access to Petaluma Valley Hospital by way of Rainier has always been part of the plan to z6 move the hospital across the freeway from its old home on th.e west side. Ambulances are 2~ not a substitute for an Emergency Room at a hospital: In addition, ambulances and police Zs cars are not always available during an emergency, because they are already involved in other 29 emergencies. We cannot guarantee that the current east/west connectors will be available 3o when needed. The issue of emergency transportation is a real. issue. As a person who has 31 been in this field for years, I tell. you it is a real issue: 32 COUNCIL COMMENT 33 PT read a letter stating the GFOA awarded a commendation to the Finance Department for 3a the last year budget. She commended Controller Paula Cornyn and staff for their efforts. Key to abbreviations: JH-Councilmember Jane Hamilton, NR-Councilmember Nancy Read PH-Mayor M. Patricia Nilligoss, MS-Councilmember Mary Stompe DK- Councilmember David Keller, PT-Councilmember Pamela Torliatt MM--Vice Mayor Matt Maguire h' i ~Y June 29, 1998 Vo1.32, Page 5 . ~ DK thanked the River Festival for the gift. The Petaluma Yacht Club wants to know when ~ the dredging will begin. Because this will be a continuing in the city, it is important to take a 3 look at the city owmng dredging equipment so it becomes an ongoing capability on our part. 4 Is it possible to get money early from the U. S. Army Corps to take care of that. s The Press Democrat and the Argus Courier have been castigating the Council about looking 6 into the hit piece against Jane Hamilton. MM said since the City adopts the State Code by ~ reference it is in the City's interest. It is confusing to him we do have legitimate cause to look a into this.. We are not going. to use our resources. We will look into the Code violation and 9 refer it to the District Attorney. io BIJIDGET ii City Manager Stouder said the major issue to affect the City is the potential loss of the $2 iz Million Vehicle License Tax being proposed by the Governor. That equals 10% of the City's 13 General Fund Revenues. Since the Vehicle License Tax was instituted in 1968, local 14 .governments have had many new and costly governmental controls placed on them, over rs which they have no control. In Petaluma many city departments now have the same number 16 of employees that they had in 1975. The departments which have more personnel are the i~ Police and Fire departments. is The good news is this is a roll-over budget from last fiscal year. There will be a $325,000 19 ending balance at the end of 1998-99. Let's under commit and overachieve. We have Zo restored the `Equipment Replacement Reserve" and set aside $200,000. Every year we zi intend to add to that. We will be paying cash for our purchases as much as possible, rather 2z than function on `lease purchasing.' Councilwoman Read felt ill and left the meeting. i3 We will be working on the potential of 10% and 20% budget cuts beginning. The City i4 Manager is recommending that the City purchase new police vehicles. zs "Non-Departmental" -this was defined as: termination and retirement payments, general z6 liability costs, debt service, professional contractual service costs, audit fees and the like. The 2~ City Manager said a detailed budget will be brought back relating to the General Plan. The as Police Chief is reevaluating overtime use and will be addressing the issue as a workload 29 situation. More will be available to the Council at a later time. 3o The City Manager requested the Council appropriate funds for the first ninety days of the 31 fiscal year. He also suggested that unless the City will be able to complete all stages of a 3a project being considered, don't enter into it at all. 33 MM -suggested that no two-stroke engines be purchased. 34 Service Enhancement Listings 3s Some of the Department Heads have prepared for the Council's consideration, Service 36 Enhancement suggestions that are included in the budget document. Although there is 3'7 insufficient revenue to purchase or contract for any of these items, each Department Head 3a who had submitted such suggestions was asked to come to the podium and let the City 39 Council know which two of their requests are most important. The responses reflect the 4o major desire for more personnel. Key to abbreviations: JH-Councilmember Jane FlamiCton, NR-Councilmember Nancy Read PH-1~IayorM. PatriciaHilligoss, MS-Councilmember MaryStompe DK- Councilmember David Keller, PT-Councilmember Pamela Torliatt MNI--Dice Mayor Matt Maguire Page 6, Vol. 32 ; June 29, 1998 '? i Planning - Receptionist/contract4employee and a .Senior Planning Tecl'rucian. z Public Works/Water - aStreet--Maintenance position; an Electrician ~f~, 3 PersonneURisk Management =`an additional staff person and particular software for personnel a evaluation. s Engineering -for the Building Department an additional Building .Inspector , 6 for the Engineering Department an additional Public Works Inspector and an ~ additional Engineering Technician ~' a Police --new vehicles and a Domestic Violence detective 9 Fire - a Training Officer and Breathing Air compressor io Recreation - a Park Maintenance Worker and a staff person for Prince Park i i Finance - an additional account analyst iz Animal - 4 Animal. Services people, repair and expansion of shelter 13 Cable TV Access -funding for expanded City meeting coverage ra City Manager Stouder said this is an overview. Please tell us what you want us to do and is what will not get done. 16 Public speakers: i~ Joe Morrell -how did the City get into this fix: He asked about the building extension design is for Lucchesi Senior Center and about the $2,000 that was donated towards this .goal. It 19 seems the Finance Department has advised. that there can be no interest earned on the $2,000 zo and the people who wish to donate will not donate unless the money can earn interest. zi Finance Director Spilman had told the Senior Center people that' until an account reached zz $20,000 that no interest would be available. Mr. Morrell said this policy is counter- z3 productive. In order to obtain tax shelter, the money must be handled by the City. There is a za need to expand the parking lot now and there is a need for money for the building plans. zs Recreation Director Jim Carr said the probably cost of expansion is $80,000. The Finance z6 Director will meet with the interested parties about the interest situation. z~ Vince Landof -had questions about the PCDC budget. City Manager Stouder advised him zs that his questions could be answered in Appendix G of the first Response Book (green one) z9 about Rainier. City Manager .Stouder offered to meet with Mr~. Landof on the Rainier issue. 3o Also, Mr. Stouder sent a letterto Mr. Landof regarding funds at North Bay Savings. Only the 31 people who show up at City Hall at these meetings are usually only the ones who are 3z interested in any project, for or against an issue. They are the representative cross section of 33 the community. He wants to oppose that which was said in the newspaper by Brian Sobel 34 and Bob Lipman. We plan on blanketing the entire town on that matter explaining the 35 situation so 70% of the working public commuters who don't )'.now what's going on in town 36 because they don't read a paper and they have no idea. 37 Bryant Moynihan -speaking as a citizen tonight -this afternoon he got the proposed budget 3s and reviewed it. He asked a good number of questions which the City Manager will respond 39 to in writing. I-Ie questioned the lack of reserves for infrastructure improvements, the basis ao for the high estimates of some revenues such as business license tax, building fees, property at transfer tax, among other things. Key to abbreviations: JH-Councilmember Jane Hamilton, NR-Councilmember Nancy Read PH-Mayor M. PatriciaHilligoss, MS-Councilmember MaryStompe DK- Councilmember David Keller, PT-Councilmember Pamela Torliatt MM--Vice Mayor Matt Maguire June 29, 1998 Vo1.32, Page 7 1 ®RD. 2074 NCS 2 TEMP®RARY APPROPRIATIONS ®RDINANCE 3 Introduce and adopt Ordinance 2074 NCS authorizing a temporary appropriation for funds 4 for the Fiscal Year 1998-99 effective through September 30, 199. Introduced by M VI, s seconded by PT. 6 Ayes: Keller, Torliatt, Vice Mayor Maguire, Mayor Hilligoss ~ Noes: None s Absent: Hamilton, Read, Stompe 9 AI)J®IJRN to At 10:15 p.m. the meeting was adjourned in memory of Betty Jane Behrens. 11 12 ' 13 ~ / 14 ~` is M. Patricia Ililligoss, IVlayor is ATTEST: 17 ,% d ~'"i~ _.. 19 zo Patricia E. Bernard, City Clerk Key to abbreviations: JH-Councilmember Jane Hamilton, NR-Councilmember Nancy Read PH-Mayor M. Patricia Hilligoss, MS-Councilmember Mary Stompe DK- Councilmember David Keller, PT-Councilmember Pamela Torliatt MM--Vice Mayor Matt Maguire