Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2000-02-09MINUTES CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO REGULAR MEETING February 9, 2000 MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING COMMUNITY ROOM 33 ARROYO DRIVE CALL TO ORDER: 7:32 p.m. (Cassette Tape No. 1) ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmembers Datzman, Penna, Mullin, Mayor Pro Tem Fernekes and Mayor Matsumoto Absent: None. PLEDGE OF ALLIGENCE: Led by Mayor Matsumoto INVOCATION: Reverend Richard Neeley, Grand Avenue Baptist Church AGENDA REVIEW City Manager Wilson requested Agenda Item No. 10 be continued at the request of the developer. PRESENTATIONS · Proclamation recognizing South San Francisco resident Filomina Bonino-presented by Mayor Pro Tem Femekes and received by her daughter Diva and grandson David Venturini. · Introduction of new and recently promoted employees-the following introductions were made: City Attorney Mattas introduced new employee Eileen Manning-Villar. Director Nagel, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Maintenance Services, introduced new employees Fernando Alfaro and Brian Brunelli. Chief Lee, Fire Department, introduced new employees Tom Carney, Janet Clark, Melissa Vincent, Stewart Clark, Bryan Golden, Todd Rael, Bryan Verna and John Youngblood. Chief Raffaelli, Police Department, introduced promoted employees Sergeant A1 Normandy, Corporal Steve Nelson, Corporal John Kallas, Corporal Jeff Azzopardi, and Dispatcher Bill Lind. Presentation by RCN Telecom Services of California- Mr. Jeff Spiegelman reported on the status of the installation and activation of services within the city. He commented that they are receiving a positive response from the public. They have completed fifty percent of construction; the balance will be completed by the year 2001. City Manager Wilson inquired as to when the Council meetings would be televised. Mr. Spiegelman explained that they have to work out an agreement with the current cable company. Mayor Matsumoto asked if the customers would be getting a refund if service was interrupted. His response was that the customer would have to request it. Councilman Mullin commented that it was wonderful that the city had a choice of cable companies. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Ms. Jackie Williams, 242 Longford Drive, read a letter in regards to the General Plan School Zoning designations. She requested that her letter and other documents be copied and sent to the Council. Ms. Karen Hobin, 43 Bradford Drive, is in favor of a school zone designation. Her main concern was if the school is sold or converted to other uses. She felt schools are needed for the new families in the area. Ms. Karen Torres, 18 Arlington Drive, feels there are a lot of new houses and families in the city and that the schools would be needed. Ms. Sophie Mason, 10 Arlington Drive, spoke in regards to Measure B. She wanted to make sure everyone knew that there were a lot of resident voters backing the measure and that they should get credit not just the oil company. She also supports the school zone designation. Ms. Sara Nichols, 144 Longford Drive, is in favor of a school zone designation. She is afraid that Serra Vista and Foxridge could be sold to anyone without the residents in the area being notified. She feels that the designation of school zones would insure the safety of our schools and education. Ms. Doris McLaughlin, 269 Dundee Drive, is concerned with Serra Vista School. She would like to see all the schools designated as school zones. If Serra Vista is sold and developed, it can't be bought back. Mrs. Carol Simas, 110 Hickey Boulevard, read an open letter to Council regarding the violations of the Brown Act and a tax rebate from Costco. She informed Council that she would be filing a formal complaint with the District Attorney's Office regarding the violations of the Brown Act. Mr. Charles Grech, 779 Newman Drive, has been a resident in the city for forty-five years and he is in favor of keeping the school zone designations. He would like to see the City worry about the quality of life. He feels the city does not need Costco and its traffic. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 9, 2000 PAGE 2 Mr. Alan Beers, 226 E1 Campo Drive, objects to people who do not live in the city making derogatory remarks to the Council. He commented that Measure B is about the competition from the proposed gas station at Costco. He feels competition is good for the city. COMMUNITY FORUM Councilman Penna commented that the Conference Center Authority met last week and they will be interviewing/hiring consultants to study how the Conference Center can best serve the community. Next week Mayor Pro Tem Fernekes and he will be on the panel to choose a consultant. Councilman Datzman mentioned that he received two phone calls regarding paving on Chestnut Avenue between Mission Road and E1 Camino. He asked if there was a date when the public could see an improvement. Mayor Matsumoto attended a dedication ceremony of the new Colma Creek Linear Park on January 29. She invites the public to a stroll the Linear Park. She also, recommends that the public be aware of the facts when they vote on Measure B. She recommended if the public had any questions they can call the City hotline. She will return the phone calls to explain why she supports the General Plan amendment. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS Councilman Datzman reported that he attended a school liaison committee meeting with Mayor Pro Tem Femekes on January 25. The residents voiced their concerns regarding the Serra Vista School site. As a sub-committee, he and Mayor Pro Tem met with City Manager Wilson; they will come back to Council with a recommendation. An immediate recommendation has already been shared with the Winston Manor Homeowners Association and School Board Member Dell'Angela. The sub-committee is requesting time to speak with the residents and work out a possible agreement with the Homeowners Association. The three areas of concern are that the school not be sold, the school be maintained and there be a process if the school is up for sale. The suggestion is that they wait for ninety days to work out an agreement. Mayor Pro Tem Fernekes agreed with Councilman Datzman, but reiterated the importance of the public having input on the use of the property since the public owns the school site. In reference to Mrs. Simas' comments, Councilman Mullin asked City Attorney Mattas if there had been a Brown Act violation. City Attorney Mattas responded, "No" there had not been a violation. Councilman Mullin reported on the Airport Community Roundtable meeting. He mentioned that South San Francisco again was the leader in aircraft noise complaints. He will be requesting an expansion of the noise insulation boundaries in the city immediately. He suggested that all noise complaints be called into the Airport with the date and time that it occurred. He also attended the League of California Cities Conference on employee relations. He invited the public to attend the debate on Measure B being held at the Municipal Services Building at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 22. He mentioned that for the record there have not been tax give-aways nor will there be. He requested that both sides are heard on the issue and that people make up their minds on the facts. The Homeless Shelter Task Force has identified a REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 9, 2000 PAGE 3 ,,2Ol site in Burlingame. It has not been secured, but is currently number one on the list of sites to be considered. They hope to have a site secured at their next meeting. CONSENT CALENDAR Motion to approve minutes of the January 19, 22 and 26 special meetings and January 26, 2000 regular meeting 2. Motion to confirm expense claims of February 9, 2000 in the amount of $4,318,663.05 Resolution No. 13-2000, accepting donation from RCN Telecom Services of California to support Community Learning Center activities in the amount of $3,046.00 Resolution No. 14-2000, supporting Proposition 14, the California Reading & Literacy Improvement and Public Library Construction Bond Act of 2000 Resolution No. 15-2000, awarding a contract to LC General Engineering & Construction for Aircraft Noise Insulation Program Phase XIX C in the amount of $809,736 Receive and file 1998-1999 year end Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, including the 1998-1999 year end Redevelopment Agency Financial Statements and Associated Financial Statements, and the 1998-99 State Redevelopment Report Resolution No. 16-2000 amending City Attorney's 1999-2000 operating budget for litigation expenses in the amount of $205,000 Motion-Mullin/Second-Fernekes: To approve the Consent Calendar as presented. Unanimously approved by voice vote. ADMINISTRATIVE Review of City of South San Francisco mid-year 1999-2000 financial status and resolution approving budget amendment to adjust various revenues, expenses and advances (Recess: 8:40 p.m. - 8:50 p.m.) Staff report and visual presentation given by Finance Director Steel. Councilman Mullin questioned what the date was on the amended budget. Finance Director Steele responded that it was as of December 31, 1999. Councilman Mullin mentioned that the Capital Improvement Budget has many long-term projects that are funded on an annual budget, but there is never enough money to meet all the needs. He questioned where the sales tax is derived from. (Cassette Tape No. 2) REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 9, 2000 PAGE 4 Councilman Datzman questioned the sewage rate increase. Finance Director Steele explained that the rate increases were recommended by a consulting firm to coincide with the Water Quality Control Plant expansion project. Councilman Datzman noted that our rates were favorable compared to the adjoining communities. He also questioned the increase in the Fire Department budget. Chief Lee explained that additional overtime was needed to fill vacated positions. They also hired additional contract help in the Fire Prevention/Building Division. He commented that our city is used to high level services. Councilman Mullin asked Chief Lee if employee exit surveys are done and if they are, what are the reasons for the departures. He responded that both the Fire Department and Human Resources do surveys. The major reason is that the people are moving closer to their homes. Councilman Mullin also had concerns why the Fire Department had people leaving and the Police Department did not. Mayor Matsumoto asked if the Community Preservation Ordinance had an impact. Chief Lee responded that it did not. Mayor Pro Tern Fernekes commented that we have an excellent Fire Department. Ms. Jackie Williams, 242 Longford Drive, wanting to address the Council, noted Good and Welfare was omitted from the Agenda. City Attorney Mattas advised Council that Good and Welfare is not required and an opportunity was provided under Oral Communications. Ms. Williams stated her dissatisfaction. Mayor Pro Tern Fernekes commented on the General Fund reserves and said that the Finance Department produced an excellent report. Councilman Penna had questions on the economic trends of South San Francisco. Finance Director Steele explained that business to business is a large portion our sales tax revenue. He further explained that businesses locate here because they are involved with trade. City Manager Wilson said that the R&D firms are starting to climb up on the sales and use list. Councilman Penna questioned the variance on the business to business tax. City Manager Wilson explained that parking tax is now included. Councilman Penna recommended that besides an amended budget and the projected actual, if they could see in categories where there have been changes due to any special circumstances. Councilman Mullin asked if the booking fees are recurring and do they have to be allocated each year. City Manager Wilson commented that it is a year per year determination. Councilman Penna wanted to know what was being done from the standpoint of the City going back to the State and asking for a refund on the funds that were taken by the State. He felt that this would be an ideal time because of the surplus of funds. City Manager Wilson said that the League of California Cities is focusing on ERAF. Councilman Mullin stated he is on one of the committees and that the return of ERAF money is not something that they predict is going to happen in the short term. Councilman Datzman announced that at a previous meeting of the City and County Association of REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 9, 2000 PAGE 5 Governments, he requested the City Manager draft a letter from the City to the governor expressing our concerns regarding ERAF. Councilman Datzman said that he gave a community presentation and the budget was part of it. He brought up the fact that people think that the city is driven by property tax. He said sales tax is becoming far more significant. Mayor Matsumoto said she had heard a rumor that cities are to share taxes and is it something the City should be concerned about. City Manager Wilson said the City should be concerned. It is in a proposal being discussed under the County Transportation Tax. Councilman Mullin said the Association of Bay Area Governments has recommended a sub regional approach to tax sharing and that they are having difficulty in doing it. The practicality of getting all the cities and counties to agree is very difficult. A discussion on E-Commerce ensued with City Manager Wilson. Motion-Datzman/Second-Fernekes: To approve Resolution No. 17-2000, approving budget amendment to adjust various revenues, expenses and advances. 9. Information-report on taxicab ordinance Report given by Police Chief Raffaelli. Councilman Penna asked why other cab companies come to the city without permits. Chief Raffaelli stated that it is very hard to regulate cab service in the residential community. Chief Rafaelli explained that if a new cab company wants to do business in our city they must submit an application. The Planning Division has the responsibility for conducting the investigation. Councilman Datzman's concern was if the current cab company was not providing a level of service, then we should look at other options. He commented that the current cab company needs to change with the needs of the city. He would like to see a study to see if the needs are being met and also the level of complaints. Mayor Matsumoto asked if the level of service is being met. City Manager Wilson suggested that an analysis be done. Jahad, Bubble Cab Company, Burlingame commented that the public should have a choice on cab companies. He feels that the best way is to provide service is to have many cab companies available to the public. Mr. Paul Davies, Hillsborough Yellow Cab, Hillsborough, commented that the other cab companies that come into the city to pick up customers are not registered with the Police Department. It is a safety issue. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 9, 2000 PAGE 6 10. Oakmont Vistas: Consideration of Negative Declaration, ND-98-054; Planned Unit Development, PUD-98-054; Vesting Tentative Subdivision Map, SA-98-054; Tentative Parcel Map, PM-98-054 - a 33 unit single family residential subdivision; Applicant: John Hansen PSC, Inc. (continued from January 26, 2000) Item continued to the March 22, 2000 regular meeting. ITEMS FROM COUNCIL None ADOURNMENT Motion-Penna/Second-Fernekes: To adjourn the meeting at 10:04 p.m. in the memory of South San Francisco Fire Inspector Bob Ost, June 8, 1960 - January 31, 2000. Unanimously approved by voice vote. Respectfully Submitted: Deputy City Clerk City of South San Francisco Approved: Karyl Matsumoto, Mayor City of South San Francisco REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 9, 2000 PAGE 7