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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2008-02-13 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2008 MUNICIPAL SERVICE BUILDING COMMUNITY ROOM 33 ARROYO DRIVE CALL TO ORDER: 7:30 p.nl. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilnlen Addiego, Garbarino and Mullin, Mayor Pro T em Matsulnoto and Mayor Gonzalez. Absent: None. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Gloria Keane, South San Francisco High School student. INVOCATION: Pastor John Cantley, Grace Covenant Church. PRESENTATIONS CD Centennial Update. Menlbers of the Centelulial COlnlnittee Robelio Bernardo and Paul Formosa advised Council and residents of the upcolning Centelulial Multicultural Event that would take place at the Municipal Services Building on March 29, 2008. They explained that food and entertailunent at the event would reflect the numerous ethnic comlnunities that call South San Francisco hOlne. Tickets priced at $40 per person could be purchased by calling 650- 829-3800. Mr. Fonnosa advised that additional infornlation about all of the upcolning Centennial events would be available in the Spring Leisure Guide. CD Proclanlation recognizing March 2008 as American Red Cross Month. Mayor Gonzalez presented Alnerican Red Cross Representative Ruthellen Harris with a proclmnation recognizing March as Anlerican Red Cross Month and encouraging all residents to be cognizant of the Red Cross' mission. Ms. Harris thanked the City for its recognition of Red Cross Month. She also advised Council and residents of CPR Saturday on March 8, 2008 and the Heroes Breakfast at Dominic's at Poplar Creek on June 5, 2008. Infonnation about the latter event is available at www.redcrossbayarea.org/heroes. AGENDA REVIEW No Changes. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Gonzalez limited speakers to 2 n1inutes each. Resident Anna Cornejo advised Council of criminal activity in her neighborhood. She requested Inore street lighting near Hawthorne Place to prevent assaults and robberies. Resident Alicia Jimenez requested additional police presence throughout the Old Town section of the City, including part of Village Way frOln Railroad Avenue up to Linden Avenue, through Linden Avenue to Hillside Boulevard and from Orange Park down to Airpoli Boulevard. She opined that Police need to be Inore forceful about breaking-up gatherings and stated that the City's youth identify police undercover vehicles and disperse upon seeing theln. She requested Inore street lighting which she opined would deter criminal gatherings. Resident Cynthia Fregoso with Acorn stated that the lack of street lighting in the Maple Avenue area makes it difficult to take walks with children in the evening due to safety concerns. She opined that Conlmercial Avenue, Railroad Avenue, Annour Avenue, Cypress Avenue, Aspen Avenue and First through Ninth Lanes need additional street lighting to deter crime. Ms. Fregoso stressed the importance of youngsters being able to enjoy their neighborhoods free fronl anxiety over safety issues. Resident Jesus Fregoso requested installation of a sidewalk on South Spruce Avenue between Olive Avenue and Hillside Boulevard. He opined that the current condition of the street is dangerous for people picking up their children. Resident Kamala Silva Wolfe thanked the Public Works Department for the wonderful job it did to patch up a sidewalk in the Paradise Valley Area where a resident had tripped. She further advised that neighbors in the Paradise Valley Area had met at her home to discuss the City's sound monitoring operation in the neighborhood. She requested an update on the operation, including the location of the monitoring devices and the duration of their installation. Resident Colleen Rudd of the Paradise Valley Neighborhood requested an update with respect to plans for a sound wall in the Paradise Valley Neighborhood. ITEMS FROM COUNCIL CD Announcements /Cormnittee Reports Councilmembers announced upcoming events, progrmns and public improvements, thanked staff for upgrades to the audio/visual equipment in Council's public meeting chambers and reported on individual attendance at community meetings and events, including meetings with Sheriff Munks regarding a proposed women's jail facility and work furlough program on County property located in South San Francisco. Specific items for further action and/or consideration were set forth as follows: Councilman Mullin advised that, with Council's concurrence, he intended to set up a meeting with PG&E pertaining to issues related to the Westborough Power Grid. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA FEBRUARY 13,2008 PAGE 2 Mayor Pro Tem Matsmnoto expressed uneasiness with the County's proposal to install a women's jail and work furlough progranl on County property in South San Francisco. She stated that women's jail visiting hours are currently from 7:30 a.n1. to 10:00 p.nl. and noted that visitors to the jail might be of concern to the conl1nunity. Councihnan Addiego stated that although he wanted to be supportive of Supervisor Tissier's ideas on rehabilitation of women, the issue of visitors to the jail concen1ed him. Councilnlan Garbarino also opined that visitors to the facility Inay pose an issue. He noted that SheriffMunks indicated intent to host cOlnlnunity nleetings relating to the proposed project and invited Chief of Police Raffaelli to address the subject. Chief Raffaelli advised that he Inet with Sheriff Munks in Decenlber regarding the proposed women's jail. At that time, he advised the Sheriff that he didn't see a problem with the proposal, if inmates were released from Redwood City and a work furlough progrmn was not included. Regarding visitors to the jail, he noted that there may be flexibility to shorten visiting hours. He further opined that jail visitors would pose no greater risk to the community than current defendants and/or certain trial participants coming and going from the municipal courthouse located on nearby County property. Councilman Mullin opined that the proposed women's prison and concomitant inmate services represent a model rehabilitation program. He noted that cities and the state collectively need to support such programs. He stated, however, that any proposed plan would need to include measures to assure that delnands on the South San Francisco Police Department would not increase as a result of the program. Council concluded that Councilman Garbarino and Councilman Mullin would sit on a subcolnmittee related to the proposed women's jail. Mayor Pro Tem Matsunloto introduced South San Francisco High School Senior Gloria Keane. Ms. Keane, who was seated next to Mayor Pro Tem Matsunloto, was being mentored by the Mayor Pro Tem as part of her High School Exit Project. Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto then requested and received Council's permission to start an Ad Hoc Youth Advisory Committee. Upon Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto's suggestion, Council authorized formation of a subcommittee comprised of Councilman Addiego, Mayor Pro Teln Matsumoto and two members of the Cultural Arts COlnmission for the purpose of assessing funding and options for improvelnents to the Atrium of the Municipal Services Building to COlnmelnorate the Centennial. Mayor Gonzalez asked whether it was possible to issue fines to parents for graffiti caused by their children in order to deter such activity. Chief Raffaelli advised that any fines levied on parents would not be upheld by the Courts. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA FEBRUARY 13,2008 PAGE 3 CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Motion to approve the Ininutes of January 12, 2008 pursuant to typographical Inodifications submitted by the City Attorney on February 13, 2008, January 16, 2008 and January 23, 2008. 2. Motion to confinn expense clain1s of February 13,2008 in the anlount of$2,774,654.72. 3. Motion to accept replacelnent of metal beam guardrail on Hickey Boulevard and South Spruce Avenue as complete in accordance with plans and specifications, Project No. 51- 13231-0804. 4. Resolution # 15-2008 amending the following sections of the City Council Handbook: (1) Page 4, related to Staff Assistance to the City Council during election season; (2) Appendix 5, modifying the policy regarding Councilmember use of City-provided teleconlmunications equiplnent; and (3) Page 13, establishing a time limit for presentations at City Council meetings. 5. Resolution # 16-2008 adopting findings in connection with the Redevelopment Agency of South San Francisco's proposed loan to Peninsula Habitat for Humanity froln the Agency's Low and Moderate Income Housing Fund for a project located at 440 Commercial Avenue in South San Francisco. 6. Resolution # 17-2008 authorizing the purchase of two bronze giraffe sculptures for installation in the northeastern island at the intersection of Junipero Serra and Hickey Boulevards in an amount not to exceed $5000. Item pulled from Consent Calendar by Councilman Garbarino. 7. Resolution #18-2008 adopting the National Incident Management System. 8. Resolution #19-2008 mnending the 2007-2008 Budget and appropriating $22,000 from the General Fund Undesignated Reserve for the purchase of new audio and video equipment for the Council Chambers for improved hearing and viewing. Motion - Councilman Addiego/Second - Mayor Pro T em Matsumoto: to approve Consent Calendar Items Nos. 1-5, 7 and 8. Unanimously approved by voice vote. Item No.6: Councilman Garbarino expressed concern over the Cultural Arts Commission's funds and questioned whether Council would consider allocating $2000 towards purchase of the giraffe sculptures. Councilman Addiego questioned the sculptures' scale and whether the specific island was an appropriate location for their installation. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA FEBRUARY 13,2008 PAGE 4 Director of Parks and Recreation Ranals advised that there was not a significant difference in scale between the proposed giraffe sculptures and the previously installed and stolen cranes. Mayor Gonzalez questioned the sculptures' weight. Director Ranals stated that each giraffe weighed approxilnately 200 lbs. Councihnan Mullin opined that the size of the sculptures may provide a greater level of protection against theft. Mayor Pro Tenl Matsumoto expressed disappointment that the giraffe sculptures were reproductions and not original artwork. Mayor Gonzalez questioned whether there was a way to insure the giraffe sculptures. City Attorney Mattas advised that the cost of replacing the sculptures would be within the City's self-insured retention threshold. Director of Public Works White advised that the Department hadn't anticipated that the crane sculptures would be stolen for their scrap metal value. He cautioned that he couldn't guarantee that the giraffe sculptures wouldn't be cut with power tools and stolen for the smne purpose. He noted, however, that the Department would anchor the sculptures with rebar to prevent them from being stolen in the smne manner as the crane sculptures. Councilman Garbarino requested infonnation on funding for the proj ect. Director of Parks and Recreation Ranals advised that the Commission had sufficient funds to support the proj ect. Motion - Councilman Garbarino/Second - Councilman Mullin: to approve Resolution # 17-2008. Approved by the following voice vote: AYES: Councilmen Addiego, Garbarino and Mullin and Mayor Gonzalez. NOES: Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto. PUBLIC HEARING 9. Ordinance repealing Chapter 15.24 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code and adopting a new Chapter 15.24 in confonnance with the 2007 edition of the Uniform Fire Code; Motion to continue off calendar. Public Hearing Opened: 9:04 p.m. Mayor Gonzalez explained that Council would entertain a Inotion to continue the public hearing to a later date. Public Hearing Closed: 9:05 p.m. Motion - Councilman Addiego/Second - Councilman Garbarino: to continue the public hearing off calendar. Unanimously approved by voice vote. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA FEBRUARY 13,2008 PAGE 5 ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 10. A Resolution authorizing the acceptance of $15,000 in grant funding frOln ABAG Plan, which will be supplemented with funds fronl the Police Departlnent Seizure Fund, to purchase handheld tasers for unifonned officers and amending the Police Departlnent's 2007/2008 Operating Budget. Chief of Police Raffaelli advised that the Department recOlnmended that Council adopt a resolution authorizing acceptance of funding fronl ABAG supplemented by funds fron1 the Departlnent's seizure fund to purchase 15 handheld tasers and holsters at approximately $860 per set. Chief Raffaelli explained that since the early 1980s the Department had purchased two tasers prilnarily used by Sergeants. He further advised that due to advances in technology, tasers becmne relatively slnall pieces of equipment capable of being carried on an officer's belt. He noted that ABAG recognizes a statistical reduction in clailns by injured officers and arrestees as a result of a Police Departnlent's possession of tasers. Councihnan Addiego stated his support for the tasers. He questioned whether deaths from tasers were generally caused by use of the taser or physiology of the affected person. Chief Raffaelli responded that taser-involved deaths generally result from the affected person's physiology and a condition recognized as excited delirium. He noted that excited delirium deaths are not unique to taser related incidents, but have also occurred in physical fight and other situations. Chief Raffaelli further explained that the entire police force is trained on the appropriate use of tasers and noted that a taser would not be used in certain circumstances. Mayor Pro Teln Matsumoto stated her support for the purchase oftasers, bur expressed concern over the possibility of lawsuits. Accordingly, she suggested stringent training on the use of tasers. Chief Raffaelli noted that he could not guarantee lawsuits would not arise as a result of taser use. He opined, however, that this risk was no greater than from Police Department use of other weapons. He explained that the police force receives detailed training on the use of tasers on a yearly basis. Chief Raffaelli further noted that each time an officer employs use of a taser device, a computer analyzes and confirms the number of times it was fired. Councilman Mullin noted his support for the purchase of tasers. He then questioned whether the devices are used on animals. He further questioned whether regulations pertaining to civilian possession of tasers exist. Chief Raffaelli responded that tasers could be used on animals but might not be effective. He further advised that the law permits civilians to possess handheld stun gun tasers. Mayor Gonzalez questioned how tasers would affect teenagers and/or small children. Chief Raffaelli advised that the Department avoids using tasers on juveniles unless deadly force is warranted, in which case it would first employ use of a taser. He further noted that tasers generally only have a 5 second effect. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA FEBRUARY 13,2008 PAGE 6 Motion - Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto/Second - Counciln1an Addiego: to approve Resolution # 20-2008. Unaninlously approved by voice vote. 11. Waive reading and introduce an ordinance mnending Section 2.04.010 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code relating to City Council meeting tilnes and changing the regular City Councillneeting tilne frOln 7:30 p.ln. to 7:00 p.ln. City Attorney Mattas advised that Council directed staff to prepare this proposed ordinance during the January 11, 2008 special meeting. He noted that the ordinance would change the start time of regular Ineetings of the City Council to 7 :00 p.ln. Councihnan Addiego questioned when the ordinance would take effect. City Manager Nagel advised that the ordinance nlight be effective as soon as the March 26 regular Ineeting of the City Council. Motion - Councihnan Garbarino/Second - Councilnlan Mullin: to waive reading and introduce an ordinance amending Section 2.04.010 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code relating to City Council meeting times and changing the regular City Councillneeting time from 7:30 p.m. to 7 :00 p.ln. Unanimously approved by voice vote. COUNCIL COMMUNITY FORUM Councihnan Addiego expressed anger over a music video taken on Cypress Avenue relating to gang activity. He opined that the entire cOlnmunity needs to do better to stop this problem and neighborhoods need to work collaboratively with the Police Department in this regard. He suggested the idea of closing the Cypress and Pine Park where gang activity had occurred in the past and replacing it with a park on the more highly-visible Linden Avenue. Councilman Garbarino and Mayor Gonzalez expressed interest in considering the idea of replacing the Cypress and Pine Park with a park on Linden Avenue. Councilman Mullin noted that consideration of net park space in the immediate area would be critical to any discussion of closing and/or replacing the Cypress and Pine Park. He also opined that Council action on the subject should not be a signal of retreat but a proactive effort to deter gang activity. Councihnan Addiego then invited Chief of Police Raffaelli to weigh-in on the discussion. Chief Raffaelli advised that he would like to get a better assessment of current gang activity at the Cypress and Pine Park. He noted that families and young children use the park as a playground in the day and cautioned that placement of a park on Linden Avenue might not be possible due to traffic safety issues. Chief Raffaelli further advised that he had separate meetings with the Honorable San Mateo County Juvenile Court Judge Marta Diaz and the Executive Director of the Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY) Program regarding the program's success dealing with gang members in the County. He noted the program could be brought to South San Francisco for $30,000. He further advised of the hero program co-authored by Corporal Hancock, pursuant to which probation officers team juvenile offenders up with Police Officer mentors. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA FEBRUARY 13,2008 PAGE 7 Mayor Gonzalez elnphasized the importance of bringing significant groups such as schools, the Police Departlnent and the Boys and Girls Club together for comlnunity Ineetings on the issue of gang activity. Chief Raffaelli noted the importance of fostering a partnership between neighborhoods and the City on the issue of deterring gang activity. Mayor Pro Tem Matsunloto suggested formation of a gang subcOlnn1ittee for the purpose of studying the issue and prolnoting comnlunity buy-in to deterrence efforts. City Attorney Mattas advised that the Council nlight consider discussion of these issues during a study session at which point it could advise staff of the direction it wished to take. Council agreed that a study session on the issue would be appropriate. Mayor Gonzalez recognized Resident Jolm Finnegan and invited hiln to speak. Resident and long time PAL Baseball Manager John Finnegan expressed gratitude to Council and the City for installation of five new stop signs and a crosswalk on Arroyo Drive. He noted that the City worked long and hard to get these traffic improvements installed and opined that the area had been made safer as a result of the City's dedication. ADJOURNMENT Being no further Business, Mayor Gonzalez adjourned the meeting at 9:35 p.m. in honor of Lorraine Murdock, Celia Bronstein and Congresslnan Tom Lantos. Approved: REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA FEBRUARY 13,2008 PAGE 8