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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes 2007-02-03 - ~'tl\ S:1N ~m (0 ("1 >- .... ~ ~ v 0 GtlIFOp..~\~ MINUTES CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO SPECIAL MEETING FIRST NATIONAL BANK BOARD ROOM 975 EL CAMINO REAL, 3rd Floor SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2007 1. Call to Order 9:05 a.m. 2. Roll Call Present: Councilmembers Addiego*, Fernekes and Matsumoto, Vice Mayor Gonzalez and Mayor Garbarino Absent: None Staff present: City Manager Nagel, City Attorney Mattas, and Assistant City Manager Van Duyn *Councilman Addiego arrived at 9: 1 0 a.m. 3. Public Comments Ms. Kamala Silva Wolfe requested a better description oflocation be included in the special meeting notice when the meeting is not held at its usual location. 4. Items for Discussion a) Council Goals/Objectives: Councilwoman Matsumoto stated her priority was to continue community outreach for a new library, with reference to a bond measure, and that the City be ready when the time comes. She further included public art as a continuing priority. Councilman Fernekes stated a similar priority with regard to a new library, and to continue work with subcommittees related to the downtown (the fruition of new garage structure and St. Vincent de Paul negotiations). He further stated the train station as a continuing priority. Vice Mayor Gonzalez stated his goals were to continue his ferry terminal efforts, and to work on improving the working relationship between the City and small business owners. He further stated gang activities as a continuing priority and to organize a meeting of the Old Town Homeowners and Renters Association. Councilman Addiego stated his goal is for the community to see the benefit of redevelopment funds rather than East of 101 and downtown area and to find ways for all of South San Francisco to benefit from those funds. Mayor Garbarino stated his priority is to continue his work with the school district on the classroom science project, and a new goal is to start a task force with the Chamber of Commerce and Economic and Community Development to attract the small businesses that are leaving San Francisco due to the health insurance requirement. b) Succession of the City Clerk: City Attorney Mattas advised Council on the process to replace the elected City Clerk due to her retirement/resignation and Councilman Fernekes' suggestion to solicit interest prior to her retirement date. In response to Councilwoman Matsumoto's question regarding deputies, City Attorney Mattas and City Clerk Payne explained the city clerk's prerogative to appoint deputies. Motion-Fernekes/Second-Matsumoto: To prepare a notice soliciting interest in the position of City Clerk. Unanimously approved by voice vote. City Clerk Payne asked for clarification on the soliciting process and if it is extended to non-residents. City Attorney Mattas stated that applicants can be non-residents, but at time of appointment he/she must be a resident and a registered voter. Council concurred. c) Absenteeism Policy -- Boards & Commissions: Several Councilmembers expressed their concern related to writing letters to commissioners when absences are due to illness or a death in the family, and still being consistent with the process. Councilmembers agreed that hearing from the commissioner in advance is appreciated. Councilmembers concurred that the mayor will have the discretion to send a letter or to call a commissioner personally. Councilmembers will be kept apprised. It was also suggested that the congratulatory letter include the absenteeism policy and a phone number to call. City Manager Nagel stated the council handbook will be revised. d) Council Correspondence: No policy change. e) Funeral Procession Protocol: No policy suggested, but agreed that any type of police or fire procession must first be cleared with the City Manager to evaluate and bring to Council's attention, if necessary. f) Protocol for Ribbon Cutting Ceremony/Events: No policy suggested, but agreed that staff should work with the Chamber of Commerce to try and schedule events after 5:00 p.m. so that all Councilmembers could attend. g) Council Monthly Stipend: SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 3, 2007 PAGE 2 Councilmembers discussed increasing the Council stipend from $2.80 an hour to $3.00 an hour and that an ordinance was needed before the November 6,2007 election to take effect immediately after that election. Mayor Garbarino appointed himself and Councilman Addiego to a subcommittee to further evaluate the details and report back to Council. (Recess: 10:20 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.) h) City Attorney Services - In-House vs. Contractual Services: Councilmembers voiced their confidence in City Attorney Mattas and that the current contractual structure was satisfactory. Councilmembers further agreed that the structure might want to be revisited if City Attorney Mattas were no longer city attorney. i) Salary Survey Methodology 60th175th Percentile Vice Mayor Gonzalez stated frustration with the current process that did not take into consideration the current state of the City, as to whether the City's general fund is healthy or not. Councilmembers agreed that current process will be looked at when contracts have ended and Councilwoman Matsumoto suggested the "me too" clause also be looked at when appropriate. j) State vs. Federal Telecommunication Bills: Vice Mayor Gonzalez asked for clarification related to supporting federal bills or state bills and where Council should focus its attention. City Attorney Mattas addressed the question, explaining when federal law will preempt state law and the purpose of League of California Cities bill summaries. k) Zoning Ordinance Revisions Vice Mayor Gonzalez and Councilman Fernekes discussed a design review process that would notify the neighborhood of proposed monster homes or huge additions, and having proposals be in sync with a neighborhood. Councilmembers discussed the current noticing process and property owner rights. Councilwoman Matsumoto reported a proposed presentation item for a future City Council meeting is a review of the building permit process for community awareness. Assistant City Manager Van Duyn informed Council that Council concerns will be addressed in the draft zoning ordinance update, to be presented to Council at the end of this year. (Recess: 11 :35 a.m. - 11 :40 a.m.) SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 3, 2007 PAGE 3 I) Certificates of Appreciation/Recognition Signatures Councilwoman Matsumoto requested that certificates include all Councilmember signatures. All Councilmembers concurred. m) Council Reorganization Gift/Menu Limits All Councilmembers agreed that there is a $50 limit on the mayor's gift, and a $200 limit on food for the reorganization celebration; anything in excess of $200 will be paid by the respective party requesting additional food. n) Items from Council: no comments Public Comments - continued With the Mayor's permission, Ms. Silva Wolfe commented on item, 4c, Absenteeism Policy, and suggested that each board/commission chair take responsibility to follow-up on absences on their respective board/commission and forward a report to the City Manager. 5. Closed Session: Pursuant to Government Code section 54957, City Manager and City Attorney evaluations Time entered into Closed Session: Time reconvened into Open Session: Report from Closed Session: 11 :50 a.m. 1: 15 p.m., all Councilmembers present. No action taken. Items from Council - continued Vice Mayor Gonzalez requested the City Manager consider and report back to Council with the process/understanding whereby City employees who observe damaged city property and similar issues report those to the appropriate department for follow-up. 6. Adjournment Being no further business, Mayor Garbarino adjourned the meeting at 1 :20 p.m. Submitted by: Jr-y} ~~ Sylvia M. Payne, City Clerk City of South San Francisco Approved: /"'I "7 /1 ~ ~ . _~t0'41ti(.r( Ii /(/tv/,t)(.'/, Richard A. Garbarino, Mayor City of South San Francisco SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 3, 2007 PAGE 4