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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 1982-03-31Mayor Gus Nicolopulos Vice Mayor Roberta Cerri Teglia Council; Ronald G, Acosta Mark N, Addiego Emanuele N. Damonte AGENDA ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CALL TO ORDER: 1. Municipal Services Building Unfinished Space, MINUTES CITY COUNCIL City Council Conference Room March 31, 1982 ACTION TAKEN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING Reci ted. 7:05 p.m. Vice Mayor Teglia presiding. Council present: Damonte, Acosta, Teglia and Addiego. Council absent: Nicolopulos. City Manager Birkelo commented on the consideration of possible uses for the available space. Mrs. Violet Valen, 445 Alta Vista Drive, stated that she was a member of the senior citizens group and participated in the nutrition center. She indicated that the unused space was needed by the senior citizens in order to accommodate the growing number of people participating in the programs. Mr. Willie Dicker, 734 West Orange Avenue, commented on the amount of space necessary in order to provide a harmonistic atmosphere in which to gather. Mr. Anthony Valen, 445 Alta Vista Drive, expressed concern regarding the possibility of the City renting the unused space to private businesses. He stated that the space should be allocated for use by the senior citizens. Discussion followed relative to the po- tential use of the Magnolia Center pending the results of the feasibility study; alternative uses for the unfinished space; growing number of senior citizens being served within the community; future utilization of the City's property; needs of the senior citizens; cost factors; etc. Consensus of Council to consider 3/31/82 Page 1 AGENDA ACTION TAKEN e Municipal Services Building Unfinished Space. Oyster Point Grade Separation Feasibility Study. RECESS: RECALL TO ORDER: the possibility of an interim use of the unfurnished space during the budget process. City Manager Birkelo explained that in accordance with the Gateway Project EIR, the firm of George Nolte Engineers had been employed to prepare a feasi- bility study for the Oyster Point Grade Separation in order to facilitate the City entering into negotiations with Gateway and/or other affected properties and develop a plan for the possible addition, modification and funding of the grade separation. Mr. George Nolte, Jr., president of George Nolte Engineers spoke of his firms involvement in the project and stated that a number of alternatives had been prepared for Council's con- sideration and indicated that the primary objective in developing the various schemes had been focused on safety. He then introduced Mr. William Waoner, Project Manager. Mr. William Wagner, then introduced Mr. Byron Larsen, Traffic Engineer, and Eileen Shelton. Mr. Wagner pro- ceeded to present the numerous alternatives which had been prepared and explained the details involved. Vice Mayor Teglia declared a recess at 8:10 p.m. The meeting was recalled to order at 8:20 p.m., all Council present. An in-depth discussion followed con- cerning traffic impacts; advantages and disadvantages of the various alternatives presented; cost allo- cations; complexity of the issue. Director of Public Services Yee in response to Vice Mayor Tegli~'s inquir~ stated that at this time he fel~ further study was necessary to narrow the alternatives down, and once the alternatives had been lessened an in-depth study of each would follow 3/31/82 Page 2 Oyster Point Grade Separation Feasibility Study. 3. Corporation Yard. 4. Sale of City Property. e Review of Plans for Reception Honoring Retirees. in order to assess each alternative's capabi 1 i ti es. Mr. Richard Waxman, Professional Real Estate Services representing Dubuque Meat Packing Company, asked when the next meeting would be held to consider the narrowed down choice of alternatives. Director of Public Services Yee replied that the meeting would be held within the next 2 months. Mr. Steve Rother, Sutter Hill Limited, stated that his firm was presently under contract with the Dubuque Company and asked when the cost sharing estimates for the alternatives would be available. Director of Public Services Yee responded that the estimates for the cost sharing allocations would be available within 2½ months. City Manager Birkelo gave a brief description of the background of this matter. He requested direction regarding Council's desire to proceed with the project. Discussion followed relative to costs involved; value of the property; alternative options available; expansion of Orange Memorial Park, etc. Consensus of Council to postpone further action until after the completion of the feasibility study for Magnolia Center is completed. Consensus of Council to postpone until after the completion of the feasibility study for Magnolia Center is completed. Vice Mayor Teglia explained that the Fire Department had expressed a desire to feature their past Chiefs. She explained a plan which would display 9~ x 12" photographs of the past 4 Fire Chiefs and placing the fire bell on a base below the photographs in the alcove of the atrium of the Municipal Services Building. 3/31/82 Page 3 5. Review of Plans for Reception Honoring Retirees. ITEMS FROM STAFF 6. Update on Paramedic Ambulance Status. ITEMS FROM COUNCIL Vice Mayor Teglia: Discussion followed concerning the cost involved. M/S Acosta/Teglia - To proceed with the installation of the fire bell and the pictures of the past Fire Chiefs and that the unveiling be scheduled for the retirees reception on April 18, 1982. Motion failed for lack of a majority vote. Councilmembers Addiego and Damonte voting no. Discussion followed concerning the music to be provided at the reception; refreshments which would be served and other matters of interest. ITEMS FROM STAFF Fire Chief Drago explained that the City had been in negotations with the County during the past months regarding the Paramedic Grant Study. He said that there had been discussions concerning the City's rates, possible County subsidizing, and the back up ambulances. He stated that the City would be transporting persons within the next month. He explained the proposal and the provisions which would be required by the City. Discussion followed regarding the length of the agreement. City Manager Birkelo requested that Council select a date and time to meet and discuss labor relation guidelines for the coming year. Consensus of Council to meet on Tuesday, April 13, 1982, at 5:00 p.m.~ in the City Council Conference Room, City Hall. ITEMS FROM COUNCIL Read the following statement, "On Monday, February 22nd, a City employee, who is also an elected official with the South San Francisco Unified School District, was summoned to the office of the 3/31/82 Page 4 AGENDA ACTION TAKEN ITEMS FROM COUNCIL ITEMS FROM COUNCIL Assistant City Manager, whereupon, the Assistant City Manager unsuccess- fully attempted to intimidate and influence our employee in his role as a School Board Trustee through his employment with the City of South San Francisco. Our employee was told that if School District pressure on a certain School District employee was not relaxed that our employee would be jeopardizing the "flexibility" he presently enjoyed as a City employee serving as an elected official. It was pointed out to the Assistant City Manager that the City employee had never depended on "flexibility" in order to fulfill his School Board re- sponsibilities and commitments, but, rather, had used legitimate comp time and/or vacation time. Additionally, it was pointed out that the City em- ployee had received excellent job evaluations and was not a marginally performing employee with respect to either quantity or quality of output. I believe that the Assistant City Manager acted, in this instance, unilaterally, without authority, improperly and abused his position of rank in reaching down through the ranks of our employment force, past legitimate supervision levels, to seek to intimidate and influence this employee/elected official with respect to his role as an elected official. I feel that the Assistant City Manger, whatever his motives might have been, has by this action placed the City Manager's Office, the City Council and the School Board not only in an em- barrassing position but in a potentially scandalous position. I feel the credi- bility of the City's government in relation to its own employees, the public and the School District, with which we have worked to build a strong relationship over the past four years, is in serious jeopardy. 3/31/82 Page 5 AGENDA ACTION TAKEN ITEMS FROM COUNCIL ITEMS FROM COUNCIL I ask this City Council to instruct the City Manager to obtain the Assistant City Manager's resignation effective immediately. If we do otherwise, I feel we will have accepted, condoned and participated in this unwarranted and improper act." Motion by Vice Mayor Teglia - That we ask the City Manager to obtain the Assistant City Manager's resignation effective immediately. Councilman Acosta said that he felt this matter was extremely important and that action should be withheld until the Mayor was present. City Manager Birkelo presented an Inter-Office Memorandum to Vice Mayor Te§lia related to the clarification of his investigation findings. He stated "My investigation was directed to the question of 'Whether or not the Assistant City Manager did or attempted to use the authority of my office to exert improper influence upon another City employee for political purposes or reasons.' The evidence obtained led me to conclude that he did not. I also concluded, however, that he used poor judgement in allowing himself to become involved in a matter that was of no concern to my office. I wish to assure Council that my office will continue to carry out its administrative responsibilities in a completely open and impartial manner." He indicated that he had nothing further to say on this matter, other than any Council inquiries in a Closed Session. Councilman Addiego seconded the Motion made by Vice Mayor Teglia. He then said that while he could agree with the City Manager'~s conclusion which was presented to Council in a Closed Session that based upon what might be construed as professional intimidation he believed that the political intimi- dation that was being pursued by the 3/31/82 Page 6 AGENDA AC_ZiON_ TAKEN ITEMS ?ROM COUNCIL ITEMS FROM COUNCIL Assistant City Manager was very real. He further said that perhaps it was improper to take action this evening, without the Mayor being present, but due to the severity and the exposure to the City on this issue, he felt that it was important that people be aware of where the Council stands. He said that to not take action amongst themselves, would be to con- done those actions. Motion failed for lack of a majority vote. Councilmembers Acosta and Damonte voted no. Motion by Councilman Damonte for adjournment. Motion died for lack of a second to the Motion. M/S Addiego/Teglia - For a vote of no confidence in the actions of the Assistant City Manager. Councilman Acosta said that this matter had been brought to Council in a Closed Session and based upon the findings of the City Manager there had been no attempt of intimidation or political coercion of the individual. He said that the person involved had the opportunity during the investigation of the incident to bring out the point of political intimidation. He spoke of the importance of administrative hearings and the ad- herence to the Personnel Rules and Regulations of the City. Discussion followed concerning the purpose for the vote of no confidence; the importance of addressing the issue. Motion failed for lack of a majority vote. Councilmembers Acosta and Damonte voted no. M/S Damonte/Acosta - That the meeting be adjourned. 3/31/82 Page 7 AGENDA ACTION TAKEN ADJOURNMENT: RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, ~arDara A. Ba~taya, ul~y Clerk City of South San Francisco Carried by unanimous voice vote. Time of adjournment 9:30 p.m. APPROVED: City of South San Francisco The entries of this Council meeting show the action taken by the City Council to dispose of an item. Oral presentations, arguments, and comments are recorded on tape. The tape and documents related to the items are on file in the office of the City Clerk and are available for inspection, review and copying. 3/31/82 Page 8