HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 07/11/1994July 11, 1994
Vol. 28, Page 267
i MINUTES OF A REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING
2 PETALUMA CITY COUNCIL
3 MONDAY, JULY 11, 1994 ply
a ROLL CALL 7:.00 p.m.
s Present: Parkerson, Read, Hamilton, Barlas, Shea, Vice Mayor Sobel, Mayor
6 Hilligoss
~ Absent: None
s PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
9 Ross Parkerson led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
io MOMENT OF SILENCE
i i COUNCIL COMMENTS
iz Lori Shea -regarding the tracking system that was discussed at an earlier meeting, she
13 would like to have that listed on the next agenda - - -she would also like to discuss on the
is next agenda the problems that were brought to the Council's attention about Putnam Plaza.
is The Police Chief should also be at that meeting.
i6 Jane Hamilton -the topic of appointing nonresidents to committees should be on the next
i7 agenda. (That is scheduled for July 18).
ig Continued DISCUSSION
i9 MOON RANCH - LAFFERTY RANCH
20 The five people who were waiting to speak at the June 13 meeting were invited to address
Zi the Council first:
22 Anita Latch, STEP Stewardship through Education, this is a school based biological studies
23 group of every grade level who do research on creeks as close to home as possible. They
za concentrate on such as headwaters. The Lafferty Ranch is an ideal place for this group to be
zs allowed to work because there is value is supporting the stream (Adobe Creek). She hopes
a6 the City develops a permit process for Lafferty Ranch. She also suggested that if the City
z~ swaps Moon Ranch for Lafferty Ranch, the Lafferty Ranch be placed in a living trust so that
2s when the Pfendlers pass on, the ownership would go back to the City.
29 Yigal Toister and Nancy Chien-Eriksen were not present.
3o Maxine Durney -Resource Conservation District who's duty it is to watch for and to reduce
31 too much soil erosion. She supports keeping Lafferty Ranch.
32 David Keller -asked to be allowed to speak later in the meeting.
33 Richard Sharke -there are some people who trash the creek. The United Anglers have been
34 trying to restore Adobe Creek for the past 10 years. People with 4-wheel vehicles do
3s "wheelies" in the creek. Every time some man-made disaster has struck the project over
36 these year, they have kept heart and gone ahead to correct the problems.
Page 268, Vol. 28 Jule l7, 199=1
i Mr. Pfendler was good enough to be of assistance when the kids needed it. Moon Ranch
z would be a good place for education of our children.
3 Bruce Elliott, 393 Sunnyslope Road -supports Lafferty access. He has been a hiker since he
a was a young boy. Lafferty is the hiking spot for the people living on the east side.
s Art Cader, 315 Selman Lane - he has lived here all his life. Lafferty has access problems.
6 (PronZinl) Moon Ranch is a better location for recreation for the most people. This is a
~ good area for horseback riding. There should be sufficient revenue from Moon Ranch.
s Alan Anspach, 664 Draco Drive -representing both himself and the Boys and Girls Club -
9 He has a Masters degree in Recreation and has been active in that field.for 20 years. Moon
io Ranch is a good place for day camps and other .youth activities. He could run a 100 unit
u camp tomorrow at Moon Ranch. This could also be a resident camp again. This could be a
iz real asset.
13 John Richards, 1448 Tanager Lane - he has seen both. It would be nice if the public could.
is see and experience Lafferty, but Moon Ranch wins out for the greatest use for the greatest
is number of people.
16 Vernon Morelli, 10001VIorelli Vista - he has lived in the mountain for 82 years. Mr. Pfendler
i~ is not a monster, he is a very nice man and he has done much for the area. The vandalism in
is our area near Lafferty Ranch is very bad. Lafferty is not a good place for recreation. It is
19 too steep, and the older you get the steeper it gets. You can see the valley from only about
zo half of the ranch. There is hardly any place for parking. He doesn't like snakes and there are
zi snakes up there. Moon Ranch would make a better park. He said ahe barn itself would cost
zz about $200,000 to build today. The view from the top of Lafferty is a good view. But the
z3 road to Lafferty is poor.
za John Cheney, 55 Rocca Drive - he took his two children to hike around Moon Ranch and to
zs fish. They had a grand time. It is foolish to give this deal up.
z6 Willie McDevitt, 469 Amber Way -Let's look at the big picture. We: live in America. We
z~ have a Bill of Rights. Property rights are guaranteed. Everyone is questioning motives; it is
za a sin to have money. Make your decision devoid of the loud voice of the press. This is a
z9 rational decision. Ignore the vituperative discussions. Look at the future. What is the most
3o usable property for the most people?
31 Judy Collins, 1275 Eucalyptus Avenue -Wine Country Peruvian Horse Club -Moon Ranch
3z would be a wonderful area for the horse riders of the area. This would be a fine place for
33 horse shows. Children could really enjoy t}iis aT-ea. It would be great to have both parks,
34 but Moon would good for the community.
3s Gladys Brown, 1029 South McDowell Blvd.- She has been here 25 years. Moon would be
36 great but the access road is too narrow end it goes through a cattle ranch. Lafferty is the
37 last undeveloped land around. Lafferty could have gravel on the parking area. Permits
3a could be issued. She heard the City had stopped issuing permits. There is a lot of work to
39 be done to earn the money at Moon Ranch, whereas Lafferty represents the last piece of
ao land we can show our children.
7 r°y.. ~ .s,.~ ~. ~g,
July 11, 1994 Vol. 28, Page 269
i Bill Bennett, 2902 Bodega Avenue - he is a lifelong resident and a horseman. He has been
z on both sites and feels that the Moon Ranch is much better. He would consider leaving
3 Lafferty for the cows, but the cows would need a bag lunch to live there. More credit needs
a to be given to the horse people because there are a great number of them who spend a great
s deal of money in town.
6 Vincenza Scarpaci, 23 Meadowglen Drive -she is trying to compare the two pieces of land
~ and finds that they are not comparable. If Lafferty were like the Osborne Preserve, students
s could take seminars there. Mr. Pfendler won't lose a cent. Hold onto what we have. Find a
9 park that we can develop.
io Beverly Alexander, 341 Liberty Street -hope there is some way we can keep both.
ii Compares Lafferty Ranch with Yosemite. The Moon Ranch is an expensive proposition.
i2 Give Mr. Pfendler his privacy.
13 Tom Furrer, United Anglers, Casa Grande High School -Your decision will make a
is difference to his kids, the youth that is trying so hard to restore Adobe Creek's fish habitat.
is People spoil things. A trail over the mountain would ruin the creek. Of the 38 steelhead the
i6 young United Anglers saw coming up the creek to spawn, 21 were taken or killed. We have
i~ to fix the top of the creek as well as the bottom. Our stream restoration program has
is national recognition, and they are copying our creek in other areas. People trash the creek
i9 with their trucks. I won't let the kids work on the lower end of the creek. There are too
Zo many thoughtless people there. The impact of people is devastating. I ask that you consider
zi our kids when you make your decision.
za Larry Jonas, 27 Halsey -Moon Ranch would be a fine place for the kids to go. I have driven
z3 them up to Navarro so they could have such an opportunity as Moon Ranch has to offer.
za Consider this a joint venture with the private side. This would make a tremendous youth
Zs facility.
z6 Dick Bush, 716 Park Lane -went to Moon Ranch and was impressed. He would like to see
s~ the trade to get Moon Ranch.
2g Dee Swanhuyser, 1800 Jocnie -Bay Area Ridge Trails -she is very interested in getting a
29 trail connection between this side of the Sonoma Mountain range to Jack London Park.
3o However, that depends on the willingness of the landowners between the two areas. Will
31 there be a public hearing on this?
3z John FitzGerald, 114 Suncrest Hill - He is a runner and finds Moon Ranch a great
33 opportunity for the area's runners.
3a Pat Brown, 513 Petaluma Blvd. South - in favor of keeping Lafferty. You can move the
35 masses without being rich. Lafferty is too beautiful to ruin. Quotes Wordsworth.
36 Anna Arntz, 501 Sonoma Mountain Road - a resident of Sonoma Mountain Road - we are
37 being made to feel like the bad guys. Until you have lived there, you couldn't understand our
3s issue. There are people who use that road without consideration of others. They expect us
39 to go around them. It doesn't take a very big "bump" in the road to hide a car coming down
ao it. People speed, they go off the road and come to our door to call for help. They leave
ai beer bottles and other trash. We really don't want to encourage more of that kind of
as thoughtlessness. If the Council is to be responsible to the majority of Petaluma, they need to
a3 look at the "use for the most people", vote for the swap.
Page 270, Vol. 28 J~ily 11, 199=1
i David Heaney, 1.4.19 Meadowlark Lane -the media has a lot of power.. Hope we can keep
2 Lafferty and protect their privacy. I would want my privacy protected also.
3 Kristi Jacobs, 868 Olive -urge you not to turn Lafferty over to private hands.
a Barry Lawrence, 2900 Sonoma Mountain Road -you have your choice of two. properties.
s One has a very dangerous road that would have to be completely reconfigured.. In the years
6 I have lived there I have seen many tragedies. Your choice should be Moon Ranch.
~ David Keller, 1327 IStreet -cities have successfully preserved acres of land above their
s sites. Preserve the headwaters of the creek for the public. There are few ridge tops in
9 Sonoma County that have been saved for the public. Lafferty is unduplicated. Lafferty is
io not steep; it is a glorious site. Moon Ranch is a drier site. He wants Lafferty to connect
ii with Jack London Park.
iz Lois Sumner-Kluge, 363 Lakeville Circle -she was a Girl Scout. Thinks she likes both
13 properties. Get both.
is Dan Williams and Matt Maguire -They support keeping Lafferty Ranch. Widen Sonoma
is Mountain Road. The Fire response from Penngrove and CDF. It takes 20 minutes to get
16 there. Also there will be airplanes to fight fire. A water tank will be put in the ;park. Cattle
i~ will graze there to keep the grass down. Up to 100 people climb the hill in Jack London
is Park in a day. Purchase of Moon Ranch will lose tax revenue. There will be a 2 mile and a
i9 5 mile trail. We can raise some of the money, up to $100,000. It is a great place that is not
Zo a welcome place. There are no trespassing sign.
zi Cathleen Cannon, 1117 E. Sunnyslope Road -she works at Audubon Canyon Ranch -
22 people can be taught to respect the preserved lands. They have no problem in Stinson Beach
z3 and no problem at Glen Ellen. Lafferty Ranch could work to educate children about nature.
Za Pat Gheda, 3.2.72 Old Adobe Road - We have a business and we are trying to maintain. the
Zs agricultural business on the hill If the public access continues in this county, agriculture will
26 be in very sad shape some day. The people on the hill are not selfish, they are running a
2~ business. She is concerned about a bill in tl~e state legislature which would allow trespassers
2s to sue property owners if they get hurt. There are many vandalism acts in our area.
zs James Harberson, Supervisor 2nd District - he reported that it would take the fire service 4'h.
3o minutes longer to get to Lafferty from Penngrove than it would take to get to Moon Ranch.
31 There is a safety problem on Sonoma Mountain Road and he hopes there. will be
32 improvements. The Open Space District does not have the right of eminent domain.
33 Lafferty is not shown as a park on tl~e County General Plan. We need more land for parks.
34 Larry Tencer, 181 North McDowell - To hear some talk, one would think Lafferty is
3s hallowed ground. There are .several intervening parcels of land between Lafferty Ranch and
36 Jack London Park that may never come into public use. We have nearly SO,000.residents. It
37 would be nice if the 6th graders in Petaluma could utilize Moon Ranch for their nature
38 studies. There are a great potential of uses at Moon Ranch.
July 11, 1994 Vol. 28, Page 271
i Eric Spector, 3200 Sonoma Mountain Road -safety is an important issue. The road is really
z bad. If traffic were increased there would be more bad accidents. Public safety is needed in
s a matter of minutes and seconds. Unfortunately there are hikers and trespassers, people who
a throw cigarettes out of the window. They won't change. Moon Ranch would benefit
s hundreds and hundreds of youngsters. Think of Petaluma residents and south County
6 residents and choose Moon Ranch.
~ Jon Musser, 1796 Northstar Drive -supports keeping Lafferty Ranch for access to the
s Sonoma Mountains.
9 Carl Wagoner, Shelter Hills -Mount Tamalpais State Park is available to people as is Mount
io Diablo State Park. Please don't give up the mountain.
ii Recess 9:25 to 9:45 p.m.
i2 A petition with 73 signatures urging the Council to support Moon Ranch as a Regional Park
i3 was presented to the City Clerk.
is The Council comments about the information they wish to have staff glean for them:
is
IVI®®N RANC>E3
i6 What does the Moon Ranch require in infrastructure, improvement or renovation to bring it
~~ up to speed.
is - Moon Ranch, have someone take a run at the revenue stream that could be
iv developed up there.
zo - At what point and time frame would we be able to have some sort of access on there,
2~ when would there be full access, and when would the potential revenue be given back to the
z2 City?
zs - Do you turn that over to a some group of people to run a part of the Moon Ranch
za that contains the horse area and maybe the swimming pool?
is - Could this be considered a possible use for Boy Scouts and/or Girl Scouts as a camp.
a6 - I would also like some kind of realistic assessment of the costs involved with Moon,
z~ the legal costs defending that easement, the cost of making that road adequate, if it is
Zs adequate or made wider, an assessment of the building maintenance and repair costs and
29 whether those buildings have to be made handicap accessible, and what that would cost for
so us to do and how long that would take.
3i - We also need to talk to the Boys and Girls Club and Boy Scouts and schools'
s2 outdoor education. people as well as the Horse Associations to get some kind of a
ss commitment from them to say yes we will use this.
3a - I would want proof that Moon would make a profit before I could even consider it.
ss - We need to know about the access across theme property to the Moon Ranch.
;'1;43 r:~;i~.^ . f 1 ~. e.....e . .. v'_7 t_ ~-.
Page 272, Vol. 28 July 11, 199
i I.AFFIERTY RANCH
z - What are the infrastructure needs in and around Lafferty?
3 - Lafferty an issue is how the stream and the eagles can be protected.
a - I want to know more about the five years that were referred to on completion of
s Lafferty trails and so on.
6 - We need to look at a conservation easement with access.
~ - We need a legal opinion abort the access issue to Lafferty. The Council agreed.
s - If we had limited access to Lafferty and we did set it up the way other preserves have
9 been set up, and if there were a permit process in order that only so many people at certain
ro times could go up .into Lafferty, and then I want to know what kind of a problem we would
u have with unlimited access to Lafferty.
rz - The County must .have a plan when they'll get to Sonoma Mountain Road, or, maybe
r3 if the question is asked they can come up with an answer.
ra - We need to look at the issue of access.
rs - If we are going to sell Lafferty Ranch, then I would like us to consider an open
r6 bidding process along with conditions to the sale s~rch as conservation easements.
r~ - What are the caveats we want to put on the Lafferty Ranch sale when we offer it to
ra the public.
r9 LAFFERTY AND .MOON
zo - The issue of Lafferty and Moon Ranch can be separated independently.
zr - I am want us to explore having both sites.
zz - I have a duestion about how the appraisals for the two different properties were
zs done.
za - What about the developmental rights on either property? Would it be left open
zs space? Could that be part of the sale agreement?
z6 - When the appraisal was done for the Moon Ranch taken into consideration was a
z~ possible development of four lots on that ranch, even though we are saying that wouldn't
zs happen. But I don't think that the Lafferty Ranch had that.
z9 - Is there going to be a recommendation for a subcommittee, or a joint meeting; to put
3o everything on the table?
July 11, 1994 Vol. 28, Page 273
®P>Ely srAC>E ~IST>~ICT ANA C®u1vT~
z - We need to press Open Space about whether they want to commit a certain amount
3 of money.
a - If the Open Space District is interested in helping South County purchase some park
s and if they are already even talking with us about $1.6 Million as a possibility, then I think
6 we owe it to ask staff to examine what else there might be for sale for $1.6 Million or
~ thereabouts.
s - Would there be County maintenance of Moon Ranch and/or Lafferty Ranch?
9 - First of all is to find out the commitment of the Open Space and Agricultural District
io and their acquisition timeline. What are their funding sources. We need to open up the
~ ~ dialogue between them.
iz - The Sonoma County Park system needs to be brought into the loop.
is - Look at the possibility of some kind of a joint use agreement utilizing Sonoma
is County Parks and Recreation Department.
is - Can we utilize Open Space District money for another site besides Moon Ranch and
i6 - Open Space selection categories are "one", "two" and "three" categories: the "ones"
i~ are between the cities and around the cities,. "twos" are other places that might be scenic or
is whatever, and "threes" are kind of out in the country. Everything that we have done with
i9 the Open Space committee has been site specific.
zo AD,TOZJRN
zi The Mayor asked if all of our questions have been stated. There being no more estions,
zz the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting on the subjec ill be August 15. ,
!~~
z3 .Patricia Hilligoss, Mayor
za ATTEST:
zs atricia E. Bernard, City Clerk