HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2007-09-26~o~~x sANF~ MINUTE S
CITY COiJNCIL
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REGULAR MEETING
MUNICIPAL SERVICE BUILDING
COMMUNITY ROOM
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2007
7:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER: 7:30 p.m. (Cassette T ape No. 1)
ROLL CALL Present: Councilmembers Addiego, Fernekes, Matsumoto;
Vice Mayor Gonzalez and Mayor Garbarino
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Garbarino
INVOCATION: None
PRESENTATIONS
• Phil White, Fire Chief provided a report on code enforcement in the Lindenville
neighborhoods providing back€;round on the progress from February, 2007 to present.
Some of the highlights of the presentation focused on the priorities surrounding the various
areas which have been addressed and goals for the future
• Dennis Rosaia, Fire Safety Inspector, emphasized the need to practice an escape plan in case
of fire. Proclamation was presented in honor of Fire Prevention Week
• Pam Waldrep, Library Program Manager, invited everyone to read Isabel Allende's
Daughter of Fortune as part of the One Book/One Community: San Mateo County Reads
program. Ms. Waldrep gave an overview of the many programs being offered by the
Library this Fall
AGENDA REVIEW
No changes
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Speaker #1: Paul Young of Citizen;; Advisory Committee, with the San Mateo County
Transportation Authority (TA) introduced himself to Council and offered his assistance as
liaison between the South San Francisco and the TA.
Speaker #2: Norm Martin, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of North San Mateo
County, gave an overview of the services provided by the Boys & Girls Clubs to over 5,500
youth. Most of the funding goes to ;youth programs and asked for help by encouraging
everyone to attend the 46th annual fi;~ndraising Golf Tournament on Monday, October 29, 2007.
Speaker #3: Prudencia Nelson, Parks & Recreation Commission, thanked City Council for their
support of the City of South San Francisco's Concert in the Park event. After the success of last
years event, there will be two Concert in the Park events held at Orange Memorial Park on
Sunday, October 14 and a second concert to be held on Sunday, October 21, 2007. Free
admission and there will be food and. beverages for sale.
Speaker #4: Jorge Menjivar, resident and member of ACORN (Association of Community
Organizations for Reform Now) acted as interpreter for Estela Baldovinos resident, to explain
her concerns again regarding her financial difficulties and a possible foreclosure on her home.
She wanted to thank Council for their help and support in hopes that the item on the agenda will
be acted upon in a positive manner.
Speaker #5: Jorge Menjivar, resident and member of ACORN acted as interpreter for Luis De
la Vega and Aurea Luz Ortiz expre:>sed their concerns regarding the need for better lighting in
the Linden and Maple Avenue areas. Some improvement has been made but they would like to
have higher wattage lighting. Mr. >/-e la Vega has been assaulted and commented on the safety
issues surrounding the lack of lighting in those areas [Magnolia, Second Lane, and Railroad
Avenue] Mayor Garbarino referred ]Vlr. De la Vega and Ms. Ortiz to Director of Public Works,
Terry White for follow up.
Speaker #6: Josh Laney with Senator Leland Yee's office introduced himself and offered his
service as the contact at Senator Yee's office. He announced a couple of events coming up:
City Select Committee will be meeting on Bay Area Sustainable Development and Economic
progress on 9/27; and a Town Hall :meeting on the 9/29 to discuss any suggestions or ideas for
the legislative package to be presented by Senator Yee. He also presented the city with a
Certificate of Recognition for Day in the Park.
ITEMS FROM COUNCIL
Councilwoman Matsumoto mentioned she is on the City Select Committee and will be
attending the meeting to discuss Bay Area Sustainable Development and Economic and asked if
anyone had suggestions or comments to please attend. Personnel Board member, Rudy
Bertolozzi, asked Councilwoman Matsumoto to mention that Saturday, October 20, is `Talk to
the Pharmacist Day' at the Hillsdale Shopping Center, from 10-3 p.m. This will be a great
opportunity for people to ask about their medications and there will be plenty of consumer
awareness information. She also met with several persons including Mary Bates, Ron Burgess
and consultants from Group 4 to discuss and gather information regarding the overhaul of the
atrium at the Municipal Services Building to bring it into compliance.
Councilmember Addiego and Vice Mayor Gonzalez met with Steve Castleberry, of the Water
Transit Authority and plan to meet again for follow up work in the near future. He also met
with Councilmember Fernekes and the Downtown Merchants to discuss the future parking
garage; signage was also discussed in hopes of reaching an agreement as to how little or how
much is allowed. Councilman Addiego thanked the ACORN group and Chief Raffaelli for stop
sign on Commercial and Spruce Avenues. He commented on the traffic flow at the intersection
of Oak and Grand Avenues and the; potential danger it can create due to the landscape median
position onto Grand Avenue.
Councilmember Fernekes met with the Centennial Finance Committee which will be presenting
to the Centennial Committee the different levels of sponsorship for the Centennial events. He
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also met with the Gala subcommittef;. Councilman Fernekes complimented staff for their efforts
at Day in the Park. He and Councilwoman met with the Library subcommittee regarding
financing a new library and will be reporting back to the Library Committee. He added to
Councilman Addiego's comments regarding the Downtown Merchants meeting by thanking the
business owners who have attended the meetings to discuss their concerns. He requested staff
to check on what could be done to slow down traffic on Arroyo near Cuesta Drive.
Vice Mayor Gonzalez asked to adjourn Council meeting in memory of Maria Portillo-Esparza.
Mrs. Portillo-Esparza was one of the first Hispanic families in South San Francisco. He
attended the Housing Element meeting to discuss affordable housing and asked Senior Planner,
Mike Lappen to provide a summaxy of the meeting. He also mentioned he had met with
representatives of True Mart Connpany, a development company; they are interested in
developing the site across from the San Bruno BART station. Vice Mayor Gonzalez attended
Back-to-School Night at Martin Elementary School which was well attended and was very
pleased with the number of parents ~,vho showed up. He met with Mr. Bernard Hagen, owner of
416 Alida Way who expressed his property is available for housing senior citizens under
Section 8 housing but the County is unable to provide tenants to occupy units. He and Mayor
Garbarino attended Genentech Goes to Town event at City Hall.
Mayor Garbarino will be adjourning meeting in memory of Gordon O'Keefe. He added how
fulfilling it was to see parents and students attending Back-to-School night at Martin Elementary
School. He attended BioGene Conference and the Badge Ceremony and congratulated the newly
promoted and hired staff.
Councilwoman Matsumoto added that, she too, had attended the BioGene Conference and was
glad to hear that 80% of the biotech companies are here to stay. She also attended the Going
Green-Sustainable Initiatives track: at the conference noting that Genentech has banned
Styrofoam usage and looking at how they can switch to green packaging material. Companies
all agreed transportation and the current housing market was definitely a detriment in recruiting
new employees. Mayor Garbarino added Amgen's reduction in staff is going to be minimal so
they will ~r~aintain a presence in South San Francisco.
Councilman Addiego added that Pacific Market will have a Grand Opening on September 28.
Mayor Garbarino announced a late speaker card request.
Speaker #7: Mr. Marc Teglia, President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the North San Mateo
County, thanked Council for supporting the club. He elaborated on the talent of the many youth
and encouraged residents and business owners to visit the Boys & Girls Club in South San
Francisco to see the work of the youth. He also asked for everyone to consider attending the
Annual Fundraising Gold Tournament on the 29th of October.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Councilmember Addiego asked to pull Items #1 and #7 for discussion.
2. Motion to accept the 2006-0'7 Street Slurry Seal & Cape Seal Phase I project as
complete in accordance with plans and specifications
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MINUTES PAGE 3
3. Motion to accept the Wet Weather Phase I project as complete in accordance with plans
and specifications
4. Resolution approving the South Linden Avenue grade crossing safety improvements;
railroad construction and maintenance agreement
5. Resolution of support for the Proposed RHNA Allocation
6. Resolution authorizing the acceptance of $16,431 in grant funding to promote recycling
through community outreach and amending the Public Works Department 2007-08
operating budget
Motion-Fernekes/Second-Matsumoto: To approve Consent Calendar Items 2-6;
unanimously approved by voice vote, 5-0.
Item #1: Councilmember Addiego inquired about the expense listed under Community
Organization -Bank of America on the 9/12/07 Warrant List. City Manager, Barry
Nagel will check and report back. Health & Safety Division expense was explained by
Fire Chief White indicating the cost was related to the classes held at the Training
Tower.
Councilmember Addiego moved/Second-Garbarino to approve Consent Calendar Item
#1 -Confirm expense claims of September 12 and September 19, 2007; unanimously
approved by voice vote, 5-0.
Item #7: Councilmember .Addiego commented on how impressed he was with the
residents that came forwardl to express their issues and concerns regarding potential
foreclosure on their homes.. Vice Mayor Gonzalez concurred with Councilmember
Addiego's comments. Mayor Garbarino also added he agreed with Councilmembers
Addiego and Gonzalez and felt that no one should lose their home based on the current
foreclosure situation.
Motion-Addiego/Second-Fernekes: To approve Consent Calendar Item #7 -Resolution
requesting subprime mortgage lenders and servicers for properties in the City of South
San Francisco to voluntarily work with affected homeowners to reduce foreclosures
related to subprime mortgages; unanimously approved by voice vote, 5-0.
PUBLIC HEARING
8. Resolution authorizing City Manager to submit the 2006-2007 Consolidated Annual
Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the CDBG Program to the
Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD).
Public Hearing was opened at 8:49 p.m.
Manager Housing & Redevelopment, Norma Fragoso, thanked all business and
organization partners and city staff for efforts in establishing a successful program
adding the City has met or exceeded yearly and 5-year goals. She mentioned the city
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had received a letter from HEART who complimented our programs and
accomplishments.
Public Hearing was closed at: 8:51 p.m.
Councilwoman Matsumoto had a concern regarding the manner in which HCD
calculates the city's obligation of inclusionary housing.
Motion-Matsumoto/Second-Fernekes: To approve Item #8 -Resolution authorizing
City Manager to submit the 2006-2007 Consolidated Annual Performance and
Evaluation Report (CAPER] for the CDBG Program to the Department of Housing &
Urban Development (HUD);. unanimously approved by voice vote, 5-0.
Councilmember Fernekes excused himself at 8: SS p. m. from the discussion of the Item
#9 and left Community Room.
LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS
9. Ordinance amending ChaptE;r 2.12 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code and
providing for a salary increase for the members of the City Council.
City Attorney, Steve Mattas, explained to that Council has not had an adjustment to
Council salary since 1997. State law allows for an adjustment up to 5% per year during
an election year and if approved, would not take effect until after the upcoming election.
He added that any future adjustments would have to be approved by a city ordinance.
Vice Mayor Gonzalez expressed he was not comfortable with a 50% increase in
compensation. He suggested a gradual increase.
Councilmember Addiego commented compensation when he served previously on
Council. [1980] for ten years, the salary was $400 and. after leaving for l6 years it is
$500. He thought the increase was fair and acceptable under the law. He also asked staff
for a copy of council expenses previously forwarded to council.
Councilwoman Matsumoto concurred with Councilman Addiego and added that she sits
on 17 committees representing South San Francisco and local subcommittees and spends
a lot of time reading and preiparing for these meetings.
Mayor Garbarino stated did not support the 50% increase in salary adjustment
commenting Council has a choice in how many meetings and committees are required to
attend. He thought Council should lead by example and a 50% increase was not a good
example.
No action taken.
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MINUTES PAGE 5
COUNCIL COMMUNITY FORUM
None
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Council, Mayor Garbarino adjourned the meeting at
9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Irene Soto, I erim City Clerk
Approved:
Richard . Garbarino, Mayor
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September 26, 2007
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