HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2017-10-25 @6:31MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
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LIF0 CITY COUNCIL
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OF THE
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, OCTOBER 25, 2017
6:31 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER TIME:
ROLL CALL
AGENDA REVIEW
None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
6:34 p.m.
PRESENT: Councilmembers Addiego, Garbarino,
Matsumoto, Vice Mayor Normandy and Mayor
Gupta.
ABSENT: None.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
1. Report regarding an Ordinance amending Chapter 11.68 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code,
related to prima facie speed limit on city streets. (Richard Cho, Senior Civil Engineer)
1 a. Ordinance amending Chapter 11.68 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code, related to prima
facie speed limit on city streets.
Senior Civil Engineer Cho presented the staff report recommending that Council waive reading and
introduce an ordinance amending Chapter 11.68 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code, related to
prima facie speed limit on city streets. Engineer Cho advised that the State of California Vehicle Code
states that radar can be used to enforce speed limits when justified by an Engineering and Traffic Survey
(ETS). He explained that the prima facie speed limit on local streets is 25 miles per hour (MPH) in
residential and business districts and 65 MPH in all other locations unless an ETS conducted within the
last seven (7) years shows an alternative speed limit is warranted and the ETS results have been adopted
by ordinance. Since the last ETS had been conducted in 2010, Engineering consultant, DKS Associates,
completed an ETS in October of 2017. The ETS Report for Speed Limits supports the speed limits
established in the revised Chapter 11.68 of the City's Municipal Code. Based on the results of the latest
ETS, it was determined that one (1) location required a revision to its speed limits. Victory Avenue
should have a speed limit adjustment from 25 MPH to 30 MPH. Accordingly, staff recommended
repealing Chapter 11.68 of the City's Municipal Code in its entirety, and replacing it with an updated
Chapter 11.68.
Councilman Garbarino questioned the rationale behind changing the speed limit to 30 on Victory Avenue.
Engineer Cho explained the ETS showed that 85 percentile speed on Victory Avenue was 33 MPH. The
revisions to the state vehicle code include a mandate that the speed limits be posted within 5 MPH of the
85th percentile speed. Cities may round down, but only by 5 MPH.
Councilman Addiego queried the recent reduction from 25 to 15 MPH in the Sunshine Gardens area
based on the 5 MPH limitation.
Engineer Cho advised the Sunshine Gardens speed limit modification fell within the exception for school
zones.
Councilwoman Matsumoto was quite surprised by the increase in the speed limit on Victory Avenue as
she felt this was a very dangerous section of road. Councilman Garbarino seconded this observation.
Mayor Gupta had concerns regarding the following: 1) he did not believe the ETS contemplated
pedestrian and bicycle friendly elements; 2) the study did not address traffic calming measures such as
roundabouts and 3) the study did not contemplate the future impact of autonomous cars.
City Manager Futrell advised that ETS methodology is dictated by state law, and he was unsure if the
information the Mayor sought was within the study's discretion. He reminded Council that the
incorporation of the study's results by ordinance permits the City to use radar to support traffic citations.
City Attorney Rosenberg confirmed that in order to use radar as an enforcement tool the ETS would have
to be accepted as conducted. He noted that individual streets could be restudied and amended at a later
date if warranted.
Councilman Garbarino preferred that Council adopt the study and then study specific roads and move
speed limits on those roads as necessary at a later date.
In response to a question from Councilwoman Matsumoto, Director of Economic and Community
Development Greenwood advised the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan was moving forward and
should be ready in the 2nd quarter of 2018.
Mayor Gupta advised he was fine with adopting the study results this evening, but looked forward to
studying specific streets in the future.
Motion — Councilman Garbarino /Second — Councilman Addiego: to waive reading and introduce an
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 25, 2017
MINUTES PAGE 2
Ordinance amending Chapter 11.68 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code related to prima facie
speed limit on city streets. Unanimously approved by roll call vote.
2. Report regarding a resolution authorizing the write -off of $1,081,649.21 in uncollectable ambulance
billing accounts receivable. (Richard Walls, Emergency Medical Services Chief)
2a. Resolution No. 135 -2017 authorizing the write -off of $1,081,649.21 in uncollectable ambulance
billing accounts receivable.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Chief Walls presented the staff report recommending that Council
adopt a resolution authorizing the write -off of $1,081,649.21 in uncollectable ambulance billing accounts
receivable. He explained that since 2015, the Fire and Finance Departments had implemented accounting
practices that allow for periodic financial reviews and write -offs by Council. Ambulance transport
accounts are initially invoiced by the primary billing company, and after 90 days of inactivity, are
forwarded to the secondary billing company. This process is intended to make collection rates more
efficient. Staff expects collection of revenues to stabilize in fiscal year 2017 and 2018 and noted the
substantial improvement in write -off amount since implementation of the procedures.
Councilwoman Matsumoto observed the write -off of over one (1) million dollars was still formidable.
Chief Walls advised that as the accounts are kept more current, the present residual accumulation levels
will dissipate.
Councilman Addiego noted that projections showed a slight increase in the next write -off, but overall
improvement in the long term.
Councilwoman Matsumoto queried the expected result once procedures were caught up.
Chief Walls advised that upon stabilization, staff anticipated a write -off of around $500,000 to $600,000
annually.
Councilman Addiego noted the annual write -off was part of offering this service in our City, and he
recommended that information of this type be presented on the Regular Council Meeting Agenda so as to
be televised for the public.
Motion — Councilman Addiego /Second — Councilman Garbarino: to approve Resolution No. 135 -2017.
Unanimously approved by roll call vote.
ADJOURNMENT
Being no further business, Mayor Gupta adjourned the meeting at 7:06 p.m.
fitted: A d:
s i, City Pradee P or Gupta, Mayor
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City of South San Francisco City of South San Francisco
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 25, 2017
MINUTES PAGE 3