HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2014-12-10 @5:30 SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES
••y CITY COUNCIL
\ OF THE
c9lJFOR � CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400 Grand Avenue)
South San Francisco, California 94083
Meeting to be held at:
MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING
Council Chambers
33 ARROYO DRIVE
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2014
5:30 P.M.
Purpose of the meeting:
1. Call to Order. TIME: 5:33 P.M.
2. Roll Call. PRESENT: Councilmembers Matsumoto, Gupta
and Normandy, Vice Mayor Addiego
and Mayor Garbarino.
ABSENT: None.
3. Public Comments—comments are limited to items on the Special Meeting
Agenda.
None
4. Agenda Review.
None
5. Smart Parking Meters and other Parking Technologies within the Parking
District. (Brian McMinn, Director of Public Works/City Engineer).
Director of Public Works Brian McMinn presented the staff report. He explained that different
technologies were being considered in an effort to find more efficient and alternative parking
meter payment methods for the Downtown Area. Management Analyst Justin Lovell detailed the
three options presented to Council, which included: solar powered smart meters that accept coins
and credit card transactions,barcode scanning technology that allows payments to be made with
a smart phone app, and disk sensor technology located either in-ground or on the meter pole with
a guided enforcement app for parking attendants. Essentially 600 street meters could be replaced
with smart meters on heavily used blocks and 200 in-ground sensors could have a 6-12 month
pilot period in order to determine usefulness. The cost would be $500,000 along with an $80,000
annual maintenance and licensing fee.
Mayor Matsumoto and Councilwoman Normandy discussed pricing with Analyst Lovell, and
Councilman Gupta followed up with logistic questions about the use of solar technology in an
area with limited light exposure, highlighting the potential need for batteries.
Councilmembers expressed concern over the cost and utility of the in-ground sensors.
Vice Mayor Addiego supported the inclusion of a credit card payment option given modern
expectations for such accommodations. Analyst Lovell agreed and added that this item would
also be discussed with merchants and consumers in the area.
Mayor Garbarino stated that the smart meters were necessary to serve the East of 101 business
community that frequents the Downtown, specifically the smart phone payment option.
City Manager Futrell summarized Council's comments confirming the interest in smart meters
and requesting to hold off on the in-ground sensors.
6. Draft Housing Element Update for the 2014-2022 planning period. (Alex
Greenwood, Director of Economic and Community Development).
Senior Planner Tony Rozzi introduced the review of the Draft Housing Element and invited
Consultant Rajif Bhatia to present details of the update. Mr. Bhatia began his presentation to
Council highlighting that housing is one of the seven (7) mandated elements of the City's
General Plan. It includes policies that provide opportunities for housing development for all
economic segments of the community and remove constraints to housing production. It is the
only element reviewed by the State Department of Housing and Community Development
(HCD) for compliance with State law. Mr. Bhatia continued with his presentation stating that the
housing opportunity sites focus on the El Camino Transit Area, Chestnut, and Downtown
locations.
Councilwoman Matsumoto asked if the 1,700 unit projection for this cycle in the PUC area was
realistic after the loss of state Redevelopment funding.
Planner Kalkin stated the dissolution of Redevelopment did not change the zoning in the area.
She added that the City does not own any of the properties that have been identified as
opportunity sites. However, the land is available and planned for housing.
Mr. Bhatia noted that current zoning in the Chestnut and Downtown areas provides for 350
additional housing units emphasizing that the City's Housing Element addresses how the City is
to negotiate governmental and non-governmental housing constraints. He recommended that the
proper course of action is to evaluate the current housing element to see what was effective, what
was implemented, what should change, and what should stay the same to better serve different
members of the community.
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 10,2014
MINUTES PAGE 2
Councilwoman Matsumoto asked whether the 270 out of 1635 units that were built according to
the 2006/2014 housing cycle counted towards the new housing element.
Mr. Bhatia clarified that the remaining units from the last housing cycle would be considered in
addition to what was projected for the new housing cycle.
Councilman Gupta asked about the Fairway Apartments' restricted deed. Senior Planner Rozzi
advised the deed restriction was scheduled to terminate at the end of the year and the property
owners had signed a five (5) year extension with HUD.
Council expressed concern about approving the Housing Element.
City Attorney Mattas explained no motion or approval was necessary to submit the draft for state
review.
City Manager Futrell observed the presentation to Council was all that was necessary to submit
the draft for state review. The draft would come back from the state with comments and there
would be additional Council interaction on the plan. In the interim, Council could propose and
have as many study sessions as it pleased as long as the final April 8, 2015 deadline was
accommodated.
Councilwoman Matsumoto stated she did not endorse the draft.
7. Options for former PUC Properties. (Jim Steele, Finance Director/Alex
Greenwood, Director of Economic and Community Development).
City Manager Futrell opened the presentation stating review of options for the PUC properties
would be presented to Council for direction. Assuming Council's direction to proceed,two
additional study sessions with specific details and programming would be scheduled.
Economic and Community Development Director Greenwood opened by focusing on parcels 2A
and 2B envisioned for public facilities, explaining that the parcels were located in a larger site
described as the PUC properties. He stated the site had potential to propel the area if privately
developed with high quality architectural and urban design given the strategic position around the
Bart Station. Staff was considering recommending placement of a Municipal Center on the site.
The following departments were being considered for the public development opportunity: Police
Department, Parks and Recreation, Fire Department, and the Main Library.
Chief of Police Azzopardi addressed Council stating the Police Department had outgrown the
Municipal Services Building thus affecting the Department's ability to provide emergency and
police services. He presented the following concerns related to the Department's current location:
the building is not ADA accessible; the majority of emergency response vehicles are stored under
the outdated facility in the garage meaning that structural collapse would prevent the provision of
basic emergency services; there is a lack of space for essential equipment and evidence
highlighting that 2 of 4 holding cells are being used to store evidence; the locker room doesn't
accommodate officers; and since communications is in a shared space it makes it difficult to hear
police radio traffic and 911 calls, all of which have a negative effect on recruiting and retention.
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 10,2014
MINUTES PAGE 3
Parks and Recreation Director Sharon Ranals stated that the Department had outgrown its space
at the Municipal Services Building, providing 188,000 multigenerational service units annually
including daily attendance classes, meetings, and special events. She detailed the following needs
and concerns: upgraded audio/visual equipment, additional space for City Council Chambers,
Parks and Recreation's need to have a visual presence, insufficient parking, water seepage, the
building's lack of energy efficiency, and drainage issues among other concerns. She concluded
stating that Parks and Recreation generates $400,000 annually and that better facilities could
make it more accessible and successful.
Interim Fire Chief Reilly stated that despite the seismic renovation a few years ago, the MSB
station was insufficient. There was an additional need for gender separation and equipment
decontamination facilities at the site.
Library Director Valerie Sommer explained that the South San Francisco population had grown
66.7% since the Main Library was built in the 1960s and the anticipated circulation at the time
reflected this at 250,000. The library is at 616,000 in circulation while managing a very busy
public building that has no air conditioning on the main floor,has an inability to upgrade or add
electrical and data infrastructure, is not ADA accessible, has no earthquake standards, lower level
mildew issues, cramped spaces with no natural light and a general lack of meeting space.
Finance Director Steele noted that IT might be re-located to the area as well to accommodate
proximity to PD and enhanced security.
Vice Mayor Addiego stated that the citizens have waited a long time for a library and performing
arts center, and that the library should be the top priority.
City Manager Futrell stated all options would be equally evaluated.
Recess: 6:58 P.M.
Meeting resumed: 10:07 P.M.
Director Sommer resumed the session with her recommendation for the new Main Library as a
shared facility with the Community Recreation Center. The browsing area market place, creation
space, and other planned facilities would fit neatly into collaboration with Parks and Recreation
to provide multigenerational, multicultural, and multi-service accommodations spanning
collections, technology, tools, and programs. She expressed the goal of making the center a
destination for families in the community.
Director Ranals followed stating this would provide 8,000 more square feet for improved spaces,
along with a state of the art Council Chamber.
Interim Chief Reilly stated that an improved Fire Station would provide separate spaces for male
and female fire fighters, more room for equipment, and the ability to meet current and future
needs.
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 10,2014
MINUTES PAGE 4
Chief Azzopardi stressed that improved facilities would allow for the expansion and
modernization of dispatch services, a larger evidence room, more work stations for
investigations,more locker rooms and restrooms for officers, and a larger garage. The
culmination of IT with the PD server room would provide numerous infrastructure benefits such
as 24 hour security for sensitive equipment.
Dawn Marcus of Group 4 Architects addressed Council regarding the options A-D presented for
further exploration.
With the exception of Vice Mayor Addiego, Councilmembers preferred option D.
City Manager Futrell stated the feedback would help shape staffs efforts, and that research
would be done on the financing side.
8. Closed Session:
Conference with Real Property Negotiators
(Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8)
Property: 220 Linden Avenue (Metropolitan Hotel)
Agency Negotiators: Alex Greenwood, Steve Mattas
Negotiating Parties: City of South San Francisco and Latitude 38 Group
Housing Services.
Time entered Closed Session: 10:47 P.M.
Open Session resumed: 11:20 P.M.
Report out of Closed Session: No reportable action.
9. Adjournment.
Being no further business, Mayor Garbarino adjourned the meeting at 11:20 P.M.
Submitted by: Apt ov:i by
1/,
'sta M. i, City •rk Rich Garbarino, Mayor
City of So San Franci Rg City of South San Francisco
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 10,2014
MINUTES PAGE 5