HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2007-07-11
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
REGULAR MEETING
MUNICIP AL SERVICE BUILDING
COMMUNITY ROOM
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11 2007
7:30 P.M.
PEOPLE OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
You are invited to offer your suggestions. In order that you may know our method of conducting
Council business, we proceed as follows:
The regular meetings of the City Council are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at
7:30 p.m. in the Municipal Services Building, Community Room, 33 Arroyo Drive, South San
Francisco, California.
Public Comment: For those wishing to address the City Council on any Agenda or non-Agendized item,
please complete a Speaker Card located at the entrance to the Council Chamber's and submit it to the
City Clerk. Please be sure to indicate the Agenda Item # you wish to address or the topic of your public
comment. California law prevents the City Council from taking action on any item not on the Agenda
(except in emergency circumstances). Your question or problem may be referred to staff for
investigation and/or action where appropriate or the matter may be placed on a future Agenda for more
comprehensive action or a report. When your name is called, please come to the podium, state your
name and address (optional) for the Minutes. COMMENTS ARE LIMITED TO THREE (3) MINUTES
PER SPEAKER. Thank you for your cooperation.
The City Clerk will read successively the items of business appearing on the Agenda. As she completes
reading an item, it will be ready for Council action.
RICHARD A. GARBARINO, SR.
Mayor
PEDRO GONZALEZ
Vice Mayor
MARK N. ADDIEGO
Councilman
JOSEPH A. FERNEKES
Councilman
KARYL MATSUMOTO
Councilwoman
RICHARD BATTAGLIA
City Treasurer
FLO DERBY
Interim City Clerk
BARRY M. NAGEL
City Manager
STEVEN T. MATTAS
City Attorney
PLEASE SILENCE CELL PHONES AND PAGERS
HEARING ASSISTANCE EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE FOR USE BY THE HEARING IMPAIRED AT CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
CALL TO ORDER
7:31 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Councilmembers Addiego, Fernekes and
Matsumoto, Vice Mayor Gonzalez and
Mayor Garbarino
None
Absent:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Mayor Garbarino
INVOCATION
Rev. John Cantley
PRESENTATIONS
. Harry Potter 7 Summer Reading Party - Library Children's Services Staff
. Proclamation: Park and Recreation Month
. U.S. Conference of Mayors City Livability Award - FRESH Program
. Summary of 4th of July activities/incidents - Police Chief Mark Raffaelli and Fire Chief
Philip White
AGENDA REVIEW - No changes.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Garbarino noted there were several speaker cards on one subject and that some people
had asked to give up their minutes to allow one person to speak. He inquired of Council if they
wanted to hear individuals, or one primary speaker. Consensus was to see the presentation and
hear the speakers.
Kamala Silva Wolfe, representing the neighborhoods of Paradise Valley and Peck's Lot. She
reviewed some history of problems in the neighborhoods and the process of neighbors coming
together to discuss items of concern. A Power Point presentation followed, narrated by Colleen
Rudd and Kamala Silva-Wolfe. Hard copies were distributed and petitions submitted to the
City Clerk. The presentation highlighted speeding issues and the need for sound/safety barriers,
emphasizing concern about the area along Sister Cities Boulevard and trash and garbage along
Randolph Avenue. The presentation included a request to close Randolph at North Spruce. The
group also asked Council to discuss the issue of a sound wall. Resident safety and quality of
life was the main focus of the presentation. Safety concerns are about racing and speeding
which occurs regularly in the area. The residents feel there is likelihood a vehicle will go into a
home eventually. These neighbors stressed that Sister Cities Boulevard impacts their quality of
life in a negative way due to speeding, dumped garbage and accidents.
Councilwoman Matsumoto went on record taking exception to a comment about Allison Knapp,
stating she is a paid consultant who represents the best interests of South San Francisco, who
has and continues to do a good job on behalf of the City. She didn't appreciate the earlier
comment about the fox guarding the chicken house.
Jesse King, 135 Belmont Avenue, lives at the comer of Randolph and Belmont, referred to
speeders in his area and his concern for neighbor safety. He stated he envisions the problems
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JULY 11,2007
PAGE 2
getting worse as the neighborhood is built more. He asked Council to take action to protect and
preserve the neighborhood.
Chris Thatcher, 38 Randolph, stated her objection to closing Randolph, although she supports a
sound wall. She asked Council to look at alternatives to closing the street. She asked that all
residents of Paradise Valley be notified when meetings occur about these issues.
Tom Carney, 66 Randolph, spoke in favor of closing Randolph Avenue. He presented petitions
with 64 signatures of homeowners who agree. He asked that temporary barriers be considered
to see if effective. He referred to an incident about two months ago where three fire departments
responded and no fire trucks or emergency vehicles used Randolph because of the inability for
large vehicles to turn there.
Howard Lee, 125 Claremont, encouraged the construction of a sound and safety barrier along
Sister Cities Boulevard, especially considering large trucks will be using it more when the
Home Depot and Lowes are built.
Bill Scheper, 132 Claremont, has seen many changes in the area and supports the extension of
the sound wall and barrier. He believes that with the opening of the home improvement stores
there will be maximum capacity on Sister Cities Boulevard. He also supports the closure of
Randolph at the top of the hill.
LouAnn Salter, 130 Drake A venue, lives two houses from the corner at Randolph, and moved to
South San Francisco when there was a country feeling to the neighborhood. There is
tremendous noise in the middle of the night from cars racing. Multiple calls go into the Police
Department. Trucks and buses also use that road. The noise gets worse all the time.
Sonny Koya, totally supports the request that the sound wall be completed on Sister Cities
Boulevard, to help eliminate the problems, including traffic, noise, speeding, waste, homeless
people and other issues. He supported the suggestion to close Randolph, and he felt speed
bumps might help, but he asked that City Engineers and experts look into it.
Councilmember Fernekes commented on a request that had been made for information by a
member of the public, which had not been provided. He therefore asked for a summary of the
process related to the sound wall that is now in place. Allison Knapp, consultant, reviewed the
history ofthe project. The original study did not state there would be a noise impact, but it did
suggest that a sound wall could be placed to give the perception of less noise. In 1996, another
firm studied the problem and again in 1999 an EIR was done. That document addressed sound
walls. Community meetings resulted in noise measurements in backyards all up and down
Sister Cities Boulevard and from different portions of the right-of-way. Many consultants have
studied the sound wall. Findings of scientists were that a l,080-ft. sound wall would adequately
address and reduce noise in certain areas. Recommendation was not made to continue the
sound wall east because as you get to the intersection at Airport Boulevard, there is a significant
impact from Highway 101 traffic. There would be a risk of increasing the noise to certain areas
because of a reflecting off the back of the wall into backyards. There are many factors the
sound wall wasn't continued, such as terrain difference and in-grade separation which actually
mitigated the noise in that area. These are the findings of professional consultants.
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Christina Saldano, 106 Edison, spoke in favor of a sound wall including an extension to Airport
Boulevard. She also stated it has been difficult to get public records on this matter. She
referred to two conflicting reports. She asked Council to review the noise issues again.
Mayor Garbarino asked for copies of both reports referenced by the previous speaker.
ITEMS FROM COUNCIL
Councilman Addiego commented on the traffic in the area of Sister Cities Boulevard. He asked
that staff develop suggestions for mitigation, such as a temporary barrier at the peak of
Randolph, to determine if it would help. He also asked for a traffic report from the Police
Department on that neighborhood.
Councilwoman Matsumoto asked that the meeting be adjourned in memory of Barbara Carr,
former Councilmember of Pacifica. Mrs. Carr was always a great friend to South San
Francisco. She also reported on committee attendance: Improving Public Places, Centennial
Committee, Commemorative 4th of July Picnic, Farmer's Market and the SamTrans Board. She
reported an announcement had been made that the application deadline for Grand Boulevard is
August 10th. $2-million is available to cities. Mike Scanlon announced that BART to the
Airport from Millbrae will be stopped, changing to San Bruno to the Airport.
Councilman Fernekes reported on the Centennial Way Linear Park and the donation program
being developed. Kallander & Associates is putting together a pamphlet featuring the items that
will be available to donate in memory or in behalf of someone. He also met on the ballot
measure that will be before Council tonight. The Centennial Sub-Committee also met and he
believes the celebration year will be wonderful, beginning with the New Year's Eve Gala,
followed by a 4th of July picnic, a multi-cultural celebration. The Committee is aggressively at
work.
Vice Mayor Gonzalez attended the Inter-Agency Council discussing Hope Year I. They also
discussed goals for Hope Year 2 to expand homeless outreach strategy. This is a group of
agencies that work for the homeless and people who are at risk to become homeless. He was
invited to attend a celebration in Seattle, Washington with WT A and South San Francisco staff,
for a keel laying ceremony and to view the construction of the first often 8W2A spare vessels.
These first vessels will be in service between South San Francisco and the East Bay route by the
end of2008. These are the most environmentally-friendly boats available. They will be 80%
cleaner than EP A emission standards for 2007. These vessels will be made in America.
Mayor Garbarino attended the Senior Mobility Task Force Steering Committee. He mentioned
a Guide that will be available at the senior centers. He attended the Peninsula Traffic Relief
Alliance Board of Directors, County Emergency Services Council, the Regional Airport
Planning Committee, the League of California Cities Policy Committee meeting on Community
Development and the League of Cities meeting. He mentioned events he attended: the Old
Town Homeowners meeting Breakfast Forum, Genentech Scholarship Awards Luncheon,
Chamber of Commerce breakfast. He attended the 380 Alta Vista Opening, a home the City
purchased, refurbished and rented to a City employee. He attended the Colt Mustang Baseball
Championships, awarding the trophy to the Philly's and he attended the installation ofa new
pastor at Grace Covenant Church (Pastor Cardona).
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Mayor Garbarino shared information from the Policy Committee meeting he had attended. He
talked about obesity in young children, a very severe problem. In 2004 in San Mateo County,
27% of the children were obese. Newer figures about South San Francisco show that 31 % are
obese. One third of children seven years old will develop diabetes. New numbers for San
Mateo County show the figures are going up, not down. He is very disturbed that the
generation of children who are now 5 or 6 years old do not have the life expectancy of their
parents because of obesity and associated problems. He suggested offering fresh fruit and
healthy food to eat. He also mentioned he had been given a Home Safety Checklist to identify
fall hazards and accessibility issues. Kaiser Neighbors in Health on July 28, 9:00am-1 :OOpm
will sponsor free health services for uninsured and underinsured women and children (at the
Kaiser Daly City Medical Center on Hickey Boulevard).
Councilman Addiego mentioned also attending the Genentech Awards Luncheon. He had been
happy hear the dreams of the students honored. Genentech had been quite generous. He felt
this had been an uplifting and inspiring meeting to realize the students were on a career path and
he was proud it is happening in South San Francisco.
. Appointment of Joan Marvier to the Peninsula Library System Advisory Board
Motion-Fernekes/Second-Gonzalez: to appoint Joan Marvier to the Peninsula Library
System Advisory Board; unanimously approved by voice vote, 5-0.
Mrs. Marvier made comments of appreciation for the appointment.
Recess: 9:00 p.m.
Reconvened: 9: 11 p.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Motion to approve the minutes of June 13,2007
2. Motion to confirm expense claims of July 11, 2007
3. Resolution awarding a contract to provide material testing and special services
Kleinfelder Associates for the Wet Weather Sewer Improvement Projects - Phase II
4. Resolution authorizing the acceptance ofLSTA Funding in the amount of$7,500 from
the California State Library to support a digital story station and amending the Library
Department's 2007/08 budget
5. Resolution authorizing the acceptance of$4,900 in donations and grant funding to
support the Library's Summer Reading Club and amending the Library Department's
2007/08 Operating Budget
6. An Ordinance amending Section 3.12 of the SSFMC updating personnel position
titles
Motion-Addiego/Second-Fernekes: to approve the Consent Calendar as presented;
unanimously approved by voice vote, 5-0.
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MINUTES PAGE 5
PUBLIC HEARING
7. Resolution increasing parking permit and parking meter rates
Mayor Garbarino declared the public hearing open; City Planner Susy Kalkin presented the staff
report.
Mrs. Judy Corde, an employee on Grand Avenue, spoke of the hardship of paying increased
rates for permanent parking and expressed her concerns about the situation.
Mayor Garbarino closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Addiego asked questions about the percentage of monies collected ($445,000)
resulted from annual fees. Assistant City Manager Marty Van Duyn estimated the increase
would yield about $101,000 additional revenue, about 25% increase compared to 2005-2006.
He expressed empathy for people who have to drive to work and no parking is provided.
Vice Mayor Gonzalez stated that nobody came to the meeting that Council had about these
proposed increases. Mr. Van Duyn said people had received notices when they came in to
renew their permits. In response to Vice Mayor Gonzalez's question, Mr. Van Duyn stated that
the need for increasing parking rates was to assist with the debt service for the potential $9-
million Agency expenditure on a parking garage. He further commented on the history leading
to this item. He also there had been public notice and newspaper notice.
Assistant City Manager Marty Van Duyn followed Vice Mayor Gonzalez's request to explain
for the benefit of the public the rationale for the increases. Vice Mayor Gonzalez also stated
there had been a meeting with the merchants in the area, who supported the construction of the
parking garage.
Councilmember Matsumoto felt that since the merchants had requested the construction of
additional parking, perhaps they could assist their employees with higher fees.
Councilmember Addiego asked about the annual permits. Mr. Van Duyn said the permit is for a
calendar year, but pro-rated based on purchase date. The purchase of a one year permit includes
one free month.
Motion-Fernekes/Second-Garbarino: to adopt the resolution increasing parking permit
and parking meter rates as recommended by the Parking commission; unanimously approved by
voice vote, 5-0.
8. Resolution establishing a General Plan fee to recover City costs incurred in updating the
General Plan and preparing related environmental documents
Mayor Garbarino declared the public hearing open; City Planner Susy Kalkin presented the staff
report.
There were no speakers; Mayor Garbarino closed the public hearing.
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Councilmember Matsumoto asked for clarification of a discrepancy between the staff report and
the resolution concerning the percentage of assessed valuation. Ms. Kalkin stated the figure
should read: .15 percent.
Motion-Gonzalez/Second-Fernekes: to adopt the amended resolution establishing a
General Plan fee to recover City costs incurred in updating the General Plan and preparing
related environmental documents; unanimously approved by voice vote, 5-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
9. Resolution approving Orange Memorial Park Master Plan
Director of Recreation & Community Services Ranals presented the staff report. She recalled
well attended public meetings and events leading to this point, as well as many Sub-Committee
meetings. The Commission unanimously approved this proposed Master Plan at their regular
meeting on June 28, 2007. Staff believes it is a solid reflection of a number of public meetings
and public input. She introduced Brian Fletcher and Matt Gruber from Kallander Associates to
lead Council through the presentation.
Councilmembers commented extensively on their impressions, concerns and preferences. Staff
stated there is no funding requested at this time and that this document provides Guidelines
only. There will be opportunity in the future for additional input/changes.
Motion-Matsumoto/Second-Fernekes: to adopt the resolution approving the Orange
Memorial Park Master Plan; unanimously approved by voice vote, 5-0.
10. Resolution expanding public service hours at the Main and Grand Avenue libraries
Library Director Sommer presented the staff report. Councilmember Matsumoto asked for
clarification that this funding does not have an on-going revenue stream and that this approval
would mean future augmentation to the Library budget. City Manager Nagel confirmed there is
no commitment that this funding will be on-going. Councilmember Matsumoto also noticed a
typographical error in the resolution (amended in final version).
Motion-Gonzalez/Second-Addiego: to adopt the resolution expanding public service
hours at the Main and Grand A venue libraries, as amended; unanimously approved by voice
vote, 5-0.
11. Introduction of an Ordinance amending Title 4, Chapter 4.20, Section 4.2.130 of the
South San Francisco Municipal Code to grant authority to impose liens for delinquent
payment of Transient Occupancy Tax
Finance Director Jim Steele presented the staff report. City Attorney Mattas answered
questions about specific language in the ordinance and recommended corrections.
Motion-Matsumoto/Second-Fernekes: to introduce an Ordinance amending Title 4,
Chapter 4.20, Section 4.2.130 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code to grant authority to
impose liens for delinquent payment of Transient Occupancy Tax; unanimously approved by
voice vote, 5-0.
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12. Resolution establishing November 6, 2007 as the date for a municipal election on a
proposed ballot measure seeking voter authorization for a commercial parking tax for
general fund purposes, establishing policies and procedures in connection with such an
election, and requesting that the San Mateo Chief Elections Officer conduct such an
election
Finance Director Steele presented the staff report. Staff estimates that the new tax, in addition
to leveling the playing field between the private parking operators and SFO, would also increase
General Fund Revenues from the $150,000 (settlement with SFO) to about $l-million.
Motion-Fernekes/Second-Matsumoto: to adopt the resolution establishing November 6,
2007 as the date for a municipal election on a proposed ballot measure seeking voter
authorization for a commercial parking tax for general fund purposes, establishing policies and
procedures in connection with such an election, and requesting that the San Mateo Chief
Elections Officer conduct such an election (with minor administrative changes to be reviewed
by Council at the next meeting); unanimously approved, 5-0.
Mayor Garbarino appointed Councilmembers Matsumoto and Fernekes to write the ballot
arguments in favor of the Measure. [Beyond the ballot argument, no expenditure of public
funds will occur in relation to this measure.]
13. Resolution establishing November 6,2007 as the date for a municipal election on a
proposed ballot measure seeking voter authorization to increase the City's existing
business license tax for general fund purposes, establishing policies and procedures in
connection with such an election, and requesting that the San Mateo Chief Elections
Officer conduct such an election
Finance Director Steele presented the staff report.
Vice Mayor Gonzalez expressed concern about regulation of street vendors who sell food.
City Attorney Mattas stated that the City is working on this issue separately on regulatory issues
for vendor carts. A business license tax is a tax for the purpose of raising revenue, as opposed
to a regulation for the purpose of regulating business. Other provisions in the Municipal Code
relate to the regulation of solicitors or vendors. This section taxes the activity; it does not
regulate them. Staff will return to Council in the future on this issue.
Councilmember Addiego said he wonders if there will be organized opposition to these taxes.
He feels the top ten employers will be impacted the most. [See's Candy, Genentech, AmGen,
Cell Genesis, Orowheat, Computer Associates, Columbus Manufacturing, Costco, Royal
Laundry and Kaiser Permanente]
Councilmember Matsumoto commented on the City's limited ability to generate revenue to
provide services to the community. Finance Director Steele said that for comparison, the
second largest business would pay $8,385 under the new provision.
Mayor Garbarino appointed Councilmembers Fernekes and Matsumoto to prepare the ballot
argument in favor of this measure.
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City Attorney Mattas read the following changes:
Pg. 3 of 15, Section 6.04.125: the annual cap amount would be modified from $75,000
to $100,000, and that would be reflected both in the numeric and text representation.
Pg. 14 of 15, top of page, sub-section (d): the second sentence of that paragraph would
be deleted. That sentence reads: "In addition, for warehousing businesses with a cumulative
total of 1,000 square feet or more of warehouse space in the City, the tax shall also include $1
per square foot of warehouse space /warehouse activities rate." If you take that out, the
warehouse activities are paying on the same principal that the others are, which is $75 + $15
multiplied by the average number of employees.
Motion-Fernekes/Second-Gonzalez: to adopt the resolution establishing November 6,
2007 as the date for a municipal election on a proposed ballot measure seeking voter
authorization to increase the City's existing business license tax for general fund purposes,
establishing policies and procedures in connection with such an election, and requesting that the
San Mateo Chief Elections Officer conduct such an election (as amended); approved
Unanimously by voice vote, 5-0.
14. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Program Supplement Agreement
No. 11 with the State of California for the Linear Park Phase I Project
Director of Recreation & Community Services Ranals presented the staff report. She stated this
is basically an administrative requirement to enable the City to receive the funds.
Motion-Gonzalez/Second-Fernekes: to adopt the resolution authorizing the City
Manager to execute Program Supplement Agreement No. 11 with the State of California for the
Linear Park Phase I Project; approved unanimously by voice vote, 5-0.
CLOSED SESSION
15. Pursuant to Government Code section 54957.6, conference with labor negotiator, Barry
M. Nagel; Unrepresented Employee: City Attorney
Time entered into Closed Session:
Time reconvened into Open Session:
Report from Closed Session:
11 :07 p.m
11 :20 p.m.
No action taken.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Garbarino adjourned the meeting in memory of former Pacifica Councilmember Barbara
Carr at 11 :20 p.m.
Submitted by:
~Y,~~leTk
City of South San Francisco
Approved:
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Richard A. Garbarino, Mayor
City of South San Francisco
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