HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2011-11-09 (2) ° °0 F PT 4, MINUTES
"M " CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
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REGULAR MEETING
MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING
COMMUNITY ROOM
33 ARROYO DRIVE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011
CALL TO ORDER: TIME: 7:01 P.M.
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmembers Addiego,
Gonzalez and Matsumoto, Vice Mayor
Garbarino and Mayor Mullin.
ABSENT: None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Mullin.
PRESENTATIONS
• Energy Upgrade Workshop by Susan McCue.
Ms. McCue invited all South San Francisco homeowners to a workshop on Wednesday,
November 16th from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. which would provide information on how to take
advantage of the energy upgrade program. Homeowners were eligible to receive $10,000
in rebates for energy upgrades to their homes. Homeowners in the Aircraft Noise Insulation
Program boundaries would also qualify for up to $15,000 in additional rebates. Interested
residents were encouraged to visit the City website for more information.
• Presentation of Fire Prevention Month Poster Contest Winners by Fire Chief White
and Fire Marshal Da Silva.
Fire Chief Phil White and Safety Inspector Michele Orque coordinated the annual fire
prevention program, calling attention to the importance of fire prevention through a
number of community events and activities including: Open houses, school assemblies and
a fire prevention poster contest. The unique program served as a great opportunity to go
over injury and mortality data that affect kids in K -6 and provide useful information on
what to do in case of a serious event. Children learn through participation in hands on
demonstrations.
A power point displaying some of the posters was presented. This year's theme was
"Protect your family from fire." There were over 5,000 entries with 12 First Place
Winners. Plaques were presented by Council to the following children:
Kindergarten: Hillside Christian Academy — Kaili Gutierrez, Buri Buri - Zainab Noor
First grade: Monte Verde - Ethan Bordner, Mills Montessori, Diya Mital
Second grade: Buri Buri- Omar Rashid, Spruce School - Dorothy Burton
Third grade: All Souls - Olivia Williams, Sunshine Gardens - Fernando Rodriguez
Fourth grade: St. Veronica's- Bronwyn Miguel, Ponderosa- Leilani Jara
Fifth grade: St. Veronica's - Marco Morales, Los Cerritos - Melissa Lopez
Recess: 7:18 p.m.
Meeting resumed: 7:26 p.m.
AGENDA REVIEW
No changes.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Resident Joel Weddington stated that four (4) weeks ago there was a public comment on
chloramine. He noted his medical background and stated historically humans have died
due to various contaminants. However, modern science and technology have advanced
such that treated food and water no longer harbor dangers. He further noted that while
there was no scientific evidence that chloramine caused cancer in humans, it did cause skin
cancer in lab animals in high doses. Concerned individuals could purchase water filters
that filter out up to 98% of the items added to our water.
Mr. Mike Francois recited statistical information from the Fluoride Action Network
regarding numerous communities that had stopped adding fluoride to water. It seemed to
be a trend over the last year. In regards to Alzheimer's disease, the U.S. represents 25% of
the diagnosed cases, which he opined may have something to do with the various
chemicals in our water sources, including phosphate fertilizer.
Ms. Wynn Grcich took exception to the PUC's assertion that the amount of poison put into
our water supply was a "miniscule" amount and paraphrased a Charles Duhig study noting
that even a thimble full of toxins could kill. Water is not only drunk, it was used for
various other reasons, i.e. bathing, swimming, cooking, etc. Ms. Gercich provided a book
to Council titled, The Case Against Fluoride, by Paul Connett and urged Councilmembers
and the public to read it. Furthermore, she argued with the PUC's position that the
additives to our water did not cause various illnesses and issues, noting personal experience
with the issues that fluoride had caused for her sons. Lastly, she listed a number of
additives and the illnesses they've been purported to cause and urged Council to come out
against the fluoridation of water.
Ms. Jaclyn Jael spoke on behalf of the Paradise Valley Park. Her concern was the use of
the land by individuals, the effect modifications could have on the environment and
wildlife, and the loss of the park before it has a chance to be refurbished. She noted this
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land is the last between San Bruno Mountain and the South San Francisco hills and has
been enjoyed by many in the community.
Mayor Mullin instructed staff to follow up with Ms. Jael and provide her with any pertinent
information regarding the refurbishment of the park. City Manager Nagel noted this item
was agendized for the next Council meeting.
Mr. John Rankins congratulated Mayor Mullin and Vice Mayor Garbarino on their
reelection. He thanked Council for giving him a chance to work at the City and run for
City Council. Mr. Rankins still considered South San Francisco to be a wonderful town
and expressed gratitude at having been able to work and live in the community.
ITEMS FROM COUNCIL
• Announcements.
• Committee Reports.
Councilmembers reported on attendance at community meetings and events including, a
meeting of the Community Coalition for Safe Neighborhoods, a HOPE Interagency
Council Meeting, a meeting of the School District Liaison Committee, a SamTrans
Meeting, the Blue and White Ball, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Annual Diversity
Awards and the SFO Community Airport Roundtable Workshop. Announcements
regarding upcoming events pertained to the following: the PAL Dinner Dance taking place
on November 19, 2011, the Veteran's Day Concert at South San Francisco High School on
November 11, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. and the A -1 car show & toy drive put on by Ray Camacho
located at Santo Cristo Hall on November 20th. Specific items for further action and /or
consideration were set forth as follows:
Councilmember Gonzalez announced that at a meeting of the Community Coalition for
Safe Neighborhoods, a Peace March was scheduled for December 10, 2011.
Councilman Addiego appreciated the ongoing debate regarding clean water in the
community and appreciated hearing from both sides on the issue. He also reported the
passing of Roland Giannini, a longtime San Mateo County Assessor. He also commented
on the recent passing of Ambrose Galli, Jr., which hit a little closer to home, as the Galli
family has resided and owned businesses in the community for multiple generations. He
stated Ambrose would be missed and asked for the meeting to be adjourned in his honor.
Councilman Addiego also congratulated the Mayor and Vice Mayor on their re- election
and expressed gratitude for the work of his fellow Councilmembers Karyl, Richard, Pedro
and Kevin. He felt it was remarkable the way Council worked for the community, each
member with their own specialties. He also thanked the professional staff; City Manager
Nagel, City Attorney Mattas, and Assistant City Manager Van Duyn for their
professionalism and the help they provide Council in guiding the business of the
community. Most importantly, he wanted to thank the citizenry; those that volunteer,
attend meetings or watch at home, those that keep an eye on local government and
participate in elections and keep democracy running.
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Councilwoman Matsumoto was proud to discuss the work done on Centennial Way during
the last Improving Public Places work day and showed photos of the flower panels put up
along the graffiti wall by Orowheat. She also noted the sowing of seeds along the paths,
and the Native Plant society's planting of 100 wild plants. The event was a huge success.
Adding on to the Fire Department's earlier presentation, the Councilwoman noted the
Department's program for special needs children and their caregivers, done once a year
through the Community Outreach Program.
Vice Mayor Garbarino asked for the meeting to be adjourned in honor of Levia Mangini.
Ms. Mangini had lived in the City for 104 of her 107 years in the same house. He offered
condolences to Lola Migliori and family.
Mayor Mullin thanked all those who participated in the election. He was honored to
continue service on council.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Motion to approve the minutes of October 26, 2011.
2. Motion to approve expense claims of November 9, 2011.
3. Motion to accept the 2010 Street Resurfacing Project: Various Streets as complete in
accordance with the plans and specifications.
4. Motion to cancel the Regular Meeting of December 28, 2011.
5. Resolution No. 129 -2011 modifying portions of the City Council Handbook
pertaining to Boards and Commissions to add a section related to Emeritus Status and
to align the remainder of the Section with recent Council legislative action.
6. Resolution No. 130 -2011 accepting a Federal Safe Routes to School Program Cycle 3
grant in the amount of $119,300, amending the 2011 -2012 Capital Improvement
Program to include the Los Cerritos West Orange Avenue Improvement Project and
appropriating funds for the project in the amount of $169,300.
7. Resolution No. 131 -2011 authorizing the City Manager to execute the Program
Supplemental Agreement No. 017 -N with the State of California for the preliminary
engineering of a Preventative Maintenance Program for various Bridges located in
the City of South San Francisco.
Motion — Councilman Addiego /Second — Vice Mayor Garbarino: to approve consent
calendar items 1 through 5. Unanimously approved by a voice vote.
Item 6: Councilwoman Matsumoto was pleased about the City's receipt of a safe routes to
school grant and wondered if it was feasible to include the walking bus concept in the plan.
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Associate Civil Engineer Tracy Scramaglia stated the application and project had already
been accepted for both infrastructure and non - infrastructure plans. Items included were
targeted enforcement, bilingual educational pamphlets, and a bicycle rodeo to teach bicycle
care and safety issues when walking and biking to school. She noted a walking bus was
something that could definitely be done for other applications but it could not be added into
this one.
Motion — Councilwoman Matsumoto /Second — Councilman Addiego: to approve
Resolution No. 130 -2011. Unanimously approved by voice vote.
Item 7: Councilman Gonzalez understood the pedestrian bridge on Hillside Blvd. was to be
replaced or torn down. But he was concerned about the Caltrain Bridge on Airport Blvd.
He felt this bridge was in poor condition and not well maintained and wondered whether it
was included in this funding.
Public Works Director Terry White stated that the particular bridge was under a different
inspection program, that it was a train only bridge and therefore the inspection was on a
national level. Accordingly, Union Pacific ( "UP ") addresses maintenance of that bridge.
Staff had been in contact with UP over the years to discuss issues dealing with graffiti,
pedestrian traffic and pigeons. Wire fencing had been put up, and was moderately
successful in combating the pedestrian traffic and graffiti. At this point, there was nothing
to indicate any further steps were being taken to improve the bridge.
Mayor Mullin asked Director White if the UP issue might be discussed with
Congresswoman Speier's office. Director White stated it would be worth a good faith
effort to contact Congresswoman Speier on the issue.
Motion — Councilman Gonzalez /Second — Councilwoman Matsumoto: to approve
Resolution No. 131 -2011. Unanimously approved by voice vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
8. Minor Amendments - Zoning Ordinance City of South San
Francisco /Applicant/Owner Citywide P07 -0136: ZA11 -0006 & ND07 -0004 City-
wide Zoning Ordinance - Consideration of Planning Commission's recommendation
regarding adoption of Minor Amendments in order to re- establish Shopping Center
Parking Regulations including revisions to the On -Site Parking and Loading Use
table and Division IV, General Terms; and to revise the Land Use Regulations for the
Downtown Districts to allow clinics and medical/business /professional offices on the
ground floor, including revisions to the Land Use Regulations table, to further clarify
the location of permitted or conditionally permitted uses in accordance with South
San Francisco Municipal Code Chapter 20.550 ( "Amendments to Zoning Ordinance
and Map ").
Associate Planner Linda Ajello presented the staff reports recommending introducing two
zoning amendments for the purpose of reestablishing shopping center parking regulations
in the code and providing criteria for clinic uses on ground floor(s) in downtown
commercial zones. Both were inadvertently left out of the 2010 amendments.
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The first amendment would include building in standards for parking in shopping centers
and also break down three different types of shopping center uses, which are neighborhood,
commercial and regional shopping centers. Specifications regarding number of spaces per
square feet were said to be consistent with the Urban Land Institute and Institute of Traffic
Engineers. These standards were also consistent compared with other jurisdictions.
The second amendment was to allow ground floor clinics in the downtown while protecting
active commercial retail uses. This was based on a 2008 appeal pursuant to which staff had
been directed to come up with criteria. It was discovered that there were a number of
medical -type uses already present in the downtown area. In developing the criteria, this
type of use was only allowed in buildings that were constructed as offices only, with no
retail store front. The issue of the clinics would be reviewed as part of the Downtown
Specific Plan, where it could be further amended or modified.
Councilwoman Matsumoto asked for examples of current neighborhood shopping centers.
She also raised questions regarding the Brentwood and Hazelwood Shopping Areas.
Associate Planner Ajello replied a good example of a neighborhood shopping center would
be the Westborough Square Shopping Center.
Assistant City Manager Van Duyn stated a lot of current parking space does not relate to
the land use. The standards being looked at were for future developments and Brentwood
for example, would remain as is unless it goes through some redevelopment. He noted
what was being presented was mainly a base standard.
Councilman Addiego asked for another example of a community type center. Other than
the Safeway /CVS center, staff related there was really no other example.
Vice Mayor Garbarino asked how the Pac n' Save Center would be classified.
City Planner Susy Kalkin stated it could potentially be redeveloped and further intensified,
but as it was now, it was not classified as a community shopping center.
Assistant City Manager Van Duyn stated stores such as the Lowe's were not centers but
rather a stand -alone big box, which have their own standards that are even more demanding
than what's being looked at for shopping centers. These locations are significant regional
draws and bring people primarily by vehicle with parking specs out of the norm for a
shopping center.
Councilmember Gonzalez asked if the proposed zoning map included Baden Avenue. He
felt it should be included considering the growing business community in that location.
Ms. Ajello stated staff had wanted to stick to locations where there were already a number
of buildings that had similar uses. She recalled Baden Ave as being primarily residential.
Councilman Gonzalez stated he had lived in the City for 40 years and has seen an increase
in the number of businesses located on Baden.
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City Planner Kalkin sought to clarify that this would not prohibit the establishment of
businesses on Baden Avenue.
Councilman Addiego stated Baden Ave had been positioned quite well for a prime retail
opportunity. It would take a big retail player, but Baden should grow and could potentially
help with retail.
Public Hearing opened: 8:45 p.m.
Public Hearing closed: 8:46 p.m.
Motion — Councilman Addiego /Second — Councilman Gonzalez: to waive reading of the
ordinance. Unanimously approved by voice vote.
Motion — Councilman Addiego /Second — Vice Mayor Garbarino: to introduce the Minor
Amendments to Zoning Ordinance and Map. The motion passed by the following roll call
vote: AYES: Councilmembers Addiego and Gonzalez, Vice Mayor Garbarino and Mayor
Mullin. NOES: Councilmember Matsumoto. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None.
For the record, Councilwoman Matsumoto noted that her opposition was to the clinic uses
aspect of the ordinance.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
9. Resolution No. 132 -2011 amending the 2011 -2012 Fiscal Year Budget adding the
position of Public Works Program Manager and deleting the positions of Public
Works Supervisor and Public Works Superintendent from the budget organization
chart and revising the salary schedule for the Mid - Management Unit recognizing
these changes.
Public Works Director Terry White gave a power point presentation detailing an
organizational chart and the elimination of two positions, the addition of one (1) position of
Program Manager and the adoption of a salary schedule for the Program Manager position.
This action would go into effect December 9, with the staff being put into an "Acting" role.
This action represents an annual savings of $268,000. As the plan played out Director
White would come back to ask for approval of further salary schedules and budget
amendments.
Mayor Mullin thanked Director White for his creativity regarding staffing issues facing the
City.
Councilwoman Matsumoto was concerned about the chance for people to become
overworked with the inevitable addition of paperwork regarding Public Works- related
unfunded mandates. She hoped there would be someone from the City sitting on the
Technical Advisory Committee ( "TAC "), which might provide funding to address the
inevitable work increase.
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Director White understood the Councilwoman's concerns. He knew that increases in work
were coming due to recent litigations and mandates and the plan was to reorganize to get
more boots on the ground to accomplish the work.
Councilmember Addiego commended Director White and noted this is what people were
clamoring for at all levels of government. These were big dollars added back to the budget
and the effort should be applauded.
Vice Mayor Garbarino added his acclamations.
Councilmember Gonzalez noted when times are good, we create positions. Right now it
seems as if we have to start all over considering funding. He questioned whether salaries
would be revisited at a later date.
Director White responded the suggested salaries were included on the second page of the
staff report. There was a proposed rate taking into consideration a range that would
compensate for the additional duties and responsibilities being delegated.
Motion — Vice Mayor Garbarino /Second — Councilman Addiego: to approve Resolution
No. 132 -2011. Unanimously approved by voice vote.
COMMUNITY FORUM
Councilmember Gonzalez announced Santa Comes to Town December 3 1-d at City Hall. He
wished a Happy Thanksgiving to all.
ADJOURNMENT
Being no further business Mayor Mullin adjourned the meeting at 9:07 p.m.
Submitted by: Ap oved:
s : . Mart elli, Ci Clerk and . arb 'no, Mayor
City of South San Fr cisco City of South San Francisco
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