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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2008-03-12x SAN °~ ~4, 50 ,~v MINUTE S _ 9'L 0 _ _ ti "' ~ CITY COUNCIL -~'~ ~ " CITI' OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO 9crF°R~~ REGULAR MEETING MUNICIl'AL SERVICES BUILDING COMMUNITY ROOM WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2008 CALLED TO ORDER: 7:30 p.m. Before proceeding to Roll Call, Mayor Gonzalez announced that effective as of the April 9, 2008 the RDA and City Council regular meetings would permanently begin at 6:30 and 7:00 p.m. respectively. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmen Addiego, Garbarino and Mullin, Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto and Mayor Gonzalez. Absent: None. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE INVOCATION: PRESENTATIONS Led by Mayor Gonzalez. Given by Pastor John Cantley, Grace Covenant Church. • Certificate of Recognition presented to Alta Loma Middle School Cheer Squad. City Council members presented a Certificate of Recognition to the Cheer Squad from Alta Loma Middle School that had recently attained the honor of National Champions in the Show Cheer Category at the Cheerleaders of America Bay Cities National Open Championship. Recreation and Community Services Supervisor Tim Chenette introduced the group of talented young women who brought honor to South San Francisco as follows: Iris Tobar, Jasmin Orozco, Danielle Bautista, Arianna :Bautista, Katzandra Whigham, Stacy Prokopos, Jessica Moran, Nicole Ruiz, Karina Cuevas, Rachel Portnoy, Andrea. Fernandez, Candace Chappell, Nicole Arretche, Alyssa Sirianni, Maryann DeFrense, Jacqueline Contreras. • County placement of proposed women's gender specific program facility -presented by Sherriff Greg Munks. Sherriff Munks began his presentation by introducing several members of his staff in attendance and noted the presence of San Mateo County Supervisor Adrienne Tissier and her staff, including Brian Perkins, who supported the project. Sheriff Munks explained that the proposed women's gender specific program facility would be located on County property in South San Francisco. The facility would house up to 40 minimum security female inmates. Booking and release of inmates would not occur at the facility. Sheriff Munks opined that the facility is necessary to alleviate the overcrowded conditions at the County's women's correctional facility located in Redwood City, which Grand Juries have found to be inadequate. He further explained that the dorms in the current facility are not suitable for the provision of treatment services to amenable inmates, and explained that he was working closely with the health department to develop cutting edge gender specific programming for the facility. The proposed facility would thus accomplish the dual goals of addressing overcrowding and the administration of gender specific programming for the future, the latter of which had been the subject of a summit sponsored by Supervisor Tissier. Sheriff Munks advised that the County estimated it could convert the present structure on the property to a functional and secure correctional facility for roughly $500,000. Sheriff Munks responded to concerns regarding visiting hours and associated loitering with a plan to establish asign-up procedure for visits. He explained that visitors to the current facility arrive an hour early to sign -up for visits. Thus, he opined an advanced appointment procedure would reduce and/or eliminate visitor loitering. Councilman Mullin requested that the Sheriff's Office organize community meetings to address South San Francisco residents' concerns. He opined that the suggested visitor appointment process would reduce potential visitor loitering. Sheriff Munks agreed to host community meetings on the subject of the proposed facility. Councilman Garbarino commented that after a tour of the women's correctional facility in Redwood City he was concerned about the ability of children to have meaningful visits with their incarcerated mothers. He suggested that the new facility could address such issues. He further observed that a court could mandate placement of the facility in South San Francisco and that under such circumstances, the community would have little or no input in the process. He suggested that by attending community meetings, residents and the City would have the opportunity to have their concerns regarding the facility addressed. Sheriff Munks acknowledged limitations on the visiting quarters at the present facility. He noted that over half of San Mateo County's incarcerated women have small children and that such children are five times more likely to end up in jail. The proposed facility would incorporate a reunification program intended to break both recidivism and the generational incarceration cycles. Councilman Addiego thanked Supervisor Tissier for encouraging him to take a tour of the women's correctional facility in Redwood City. He noted that the section of the facility that housed the choices program exuded hope and opined that such rehabilitative efforts are tantamount to improving our prison. system. Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto noted her support for the program and thanked Supervisor Tissier for her presence and for allowing the Council and residents to provide input on the matter. However, she expressed concern about moving the facility into a South San Francisco neighborhood and wanted to make sure that South San Francisco's residents were taken into REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 12, 2008 MINUTES PAGE 2 account in the process. She further requested confirmation from the Sheriff that visits would be by appointment only, and expressed concern over the length of visiting hour times. Sheriff Munks confirmed that an appointments only visiting policy was planned. He opined that visiting hours may be reduced from 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., but could not make a commitment to close visiting hours at 8:00 p.m. due to state requirements. Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto then noted the Sheriff's report stated that 10 of the 40 beds proposed at the facility would be allocated for the work furlough program. She also questioned planned staffing at the facility and the proposed location of the exercise yard. Sheriff Munks stated that the work furlough program was no longer being proposed at the facility. In response to staffing questions, he noted that from a security standpoint, adequate staffing was planned. He opined that allocations for additional treatment staffing may be necessary. Sheriff Munks then advised that the exercise yard would be placed in what is presently awalled-in sally port which would be modified to include ascreened-in open air ceiling. Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto then questioned whether the planned temporary operation of the facility for 5-6 years was realistic. Sheriff Munks responded that the plan called for a new County women's correctional facility to be built by 2011, or 2012 at the latest. At that time, all female inmates would be brought back to the county facility and operations at the proposed North County Facility in South San Francisco would cease. Mayor Gonzalez questioned whether locations outside of South San Francisco were under consideration. He also questioned expected inmate turnover and whether medical services would be provided at the facility. Sheriff Munks explained that the South San Francisco site presented a good opportunity because the building was already configured as a correctional facility. He further noted that, generally, men or women sentenced to County jail do no more than 1 year of time with the average sentence length being 3-6 months. Regarding medical services, the Sheriff explained that the plan calls for nurses, including a nurse practitioner, and psychological support onsite. AGENDA REVIEW City Manager Nagel recommended continuation of agenda item No. 9, consideration of the Miller Avenue Parking Structure, to the Council's March 26'h regular meeting. PUBLIC COMMENTS Robert Vernon of Shelter Shelter Network appeared to discuss the importance of programs to help individuals affected by homelessness. He explained that he was homeless eight years ago when he entered the Project 90 Program located on Baden Avenue in South San Francisco. He opined that the Council's support for the program allowed him to become successful in life and obtain a career. He expressed gratitude for the Council's continued support of the Maple Street REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 12, 2008 MINUTES PAGE 3 Shelter Network program, which benefits a significant number of South San Francisco residents. Jennifer Obina, a senior at South San Francisco High School, appeared to advise Council and residents of a cancer fundraiser, entitled Team South City Cares. The team hoped to raise $1000 by participating in a relay for life at Stanford's Roble Field on April 11 t" and 12t". She further requested that Council and residents participate in the GO PURPLE event on April l 0'" by wearing purple to support the team's cause. Resident Marie Baldisseri, President of the League of Women Voters of North and Central San Mateo County, appeared and read a letter (Attachment 1 hereto) on behalf of the League which included the following points: The League supports Sheriff Munks' proposed women's gender specific program facility. The League expressed concerns regarding overcrowding at the current women's facility, which it opined had reached a crisis point. The League hoped that the programs offered at the facility would give incarcerated women the tools to become positive members of society and empower them to be good mothers. For many affected women, the program would represent the first opportunity to become contributing citizens. Patricia Marques of the Commission on the Status of Women appeared and expressed support for the women's gender specific program facility proposed by Sheriff Munks. She opined that at the present women's correctional facility, offerings are limited, because the center is only able to provide programming for 11 inmates. She explained that the Commission held meetings with incarcerated women to learn how to change behavior upon release, and noted that the proposed program could achieve such rehabilitation. Ms. Marques opined that the placement of the facility at an existing county structure is fiscally responsible. She observed that support from local entities is crucial to the county's effort to help female inmates make a successful transition back into the community. ITEMS FROM COUNCIL • Announcements • Committee Reports Councilmembers reported on attendance at community meetings and events, announced upcoming programs such as the Centennial Multicultural event planned for March 29t" and the Picnic planned for July 4t". Council further spoke regarding public improvements made through the Improving Public Places Program and noted staff's efforts, including worker's contributions at the Water Quality Control Plant. Specific items for further action and/or consideration were set forth as follows: Councilman Mullin recounted events related to his participation with Councilman Garbarino in the Council's Sub-committee on the Women's Proposed Gender Specific Program Facility, including, a tour of the women's correctional facility in Redwood City accompanied by Supervisor Tissier and Brian Perkins. He stated that he was impressed with the choices program operated at the facility and was encouraged by the County's comprehensive plan to create the program at the proposed facility. He stressed the importance of the County's promise to hold community meetings on the subject and noted that he looked forward to a collaborative approach at the proposed site. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 12, 2008 MINUTES PAGE 4 Councilman Garbarino echoed Councilman Mullin's comments regarding their work on the sub-committee relating to the correctional facility. He noted strong support for the choices program and the hope it inspires. Councilman Addiego asked the City Clerk to comment on recent County changes to polling locations in South San Francisco. City Clerk Martinelli-Larson advised that the County had recently consolidated polling places in the City and removed City Hall as a polling location. These changes caused confusion on the day of the February 5, 2008 Primary Election. The City Clerk's Office advised the County of its concerns and the County re-designated City Hall as a polling place for upcoming elections. The City Clerk urged voters to check County-issued sample ballots to determine their respective polling locations in advance of the April 8, 2008 Special Election. Councilman Addiego then commented on an ACORN event that he and Mayor Gonzalez attended, in which a petition for universal healthcare was presented. Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto noted Caltrain's assurance of $50 million in committed funding for relocation of the Caltrain Station in South San Francisco. She also urged residents to maintain awareness of plans to propose a new main library and relayed students' interest in City government internships, which she learned of while working with local high school leadership programs. Mayor Gonzalez reminded the public of the memorial service planned for late Congressman Tom Lantos on March 26th at 7:00 p.m. at the South San Francisco Conference Center. He also congratulated Margaret de Larios, a senior at South San Francisco High School, and a recent participant in the City's Youth Government Day Program, who received an award from the Governor. City Manager Nagel requested selection of a Councilmember to work on the committee responsible for selecting the consultant to work on the master plan for the former PUC property. Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto was selected. CONSENT CALENDAR Motion to approve the minutes of January 30, 2008, which were approved by the Planning Commission on March 6, 2008, and the February 27, 2008 special and regular meetings. 2. Motion to confirm expense claims of March 12, 2008 in the amount of $1,898,819.74. 3. Motion approving the sculpture, Puzzle People, for the Loan Art Program at the Orange Memorial Park Sculpture Garden. Item pulled from Consent Calendar by Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto. 4. Resolution No. 25-2008 approving plans for the use of Proposition 1B Funds to the City for Fiscal Year 2007-2008 in the amount of $1,007,000.00. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 12, 2008 MINUTES PAGE 5 Item pulled from Consent Calendar by Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto. Resolution No. 26-2008 awarding Phase II of the replacement of two playground structures in the Westborough Common Greens Area of Greendale between Kent/Crofton and Radburn, utilizing a cooperative purchasing agreement on Castro Valley's bid. 2007-2008 CIP Project No. 51-13232-0824. 6. Resolution No. 27-2008 allowing the access and internal roadways at Centennial Towers - Terrabay Phase III - to be considered a private road and accepting Tower Place as the name of said road. Centennial Towers (Terrabay PHIII) on San Bruno Mountain. Item pulled from Consent Calendar by Councilman Garbarino. 7. Resolution No. 28-2008 expressing support for Proposition 99, a ballot measure initiative entitled the "Homeowners and Private Property Protection Act" appearing on the June 3, 2008 Ballot and Resolution No. 29-2008 expressing opposition to Proposition 98, a ballot measure initiative entitled the "California Property Owners and Farmland Protection Act" appearing on the June 3, 2008 Ballot. Motion -Councilman Addiego/Second -Councilman Garbarino: to approve Consent Calendar Items Nos. I, 2, 5 and 7. Unanimously approved by voice vote. Item No. 3: Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto questioned whether the Cultural Arts Committee would consider placing some of the artwork it did not choose in other priority locations. Director of Parks and Recreation Ranals advised she would encourage the Commission to pursue this course of action. Motion -Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto/Second -Councilman Mullin: to approve consent Calendar Item No. 6. Unanimously approved by voice vote. Item No. 4: Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto questioned whether the funding source for the item was in addition to capital improvements funding (CIP). Director of Public Works White so confirmed. Motion- Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto/Second- Councilman Garbarino: to approve Consent Item Calendar Item No. 4. Unanimously approved by voice vote. Item 6: Councilman Garbarino questioned whether Council had reviewed this item in the past. Chief Planner Kalkin advised that the item was afollow-up to a project that had previously come before Council. Motion- Councilman Garbarino/Second- Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto: to approve Consent Calendar Item No. 6. Unanimously approved by voice vote. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 12, 2008 MINUTES PAGE 6 PUBLIC HEARING Public hearing regarding and consideration of Resolution No. 30-2008 approving afive - month time extension (PCA08-0001) of a residential planned unit development, tentative subdivision map, design review and lot, setback and parking restriction exceptions related to property located at 111 Chestnut Avenue (APN 011-312-090) in the High Denisty (R-3-L) Lone District. Public Hearing Opened: 9:06 p.m. Senior Planner Steve Carlson explained the item related to approval of an application for a time extension through July, which would be the maximum amount of time permitted under the South San Francisco Municipal Code. Yolanda Manzoni, the attorney for the project applicant at 111 Chestnut appeared and requested the limited extension in order to effectuate changes requested by the Planning Department, including the introduction of more common areas to minimize conflict between property owners. Public Hearing Closed: 9:12 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto expressed support for the project with the caveat that it be finished by July. Chief Assitant City Attorney Woodruff advised that there was no need for formal inclusion of the caveat in the resolution. He noted that if the project was not finalized by July, the Commission and staff should take expiration of the deadline into consideration. Motion -Councilman Garbarino/Second -Councilman Mullin: to approve Resolution No. 30- 2008. Unanimously approved by voice vote. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 9. Consideration of a resolution making findings and adopting a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Miller Avenue Parking Structure Project. Council determined to continue this item to its regular meeting scheduled for March 26, 2008. 10. Review of CDBG Subcommittee's proposed CDBG nonprofit agency funding recommendations, hearing of agency petitions and finalization of funding recommendations. Chief Assistant City Attorney Woodruff advised that although certain Councilmembers might be conflicted out of participating in Council action related to Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG") funding, all members could listen to the staff report and community groups' appeals. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 12, 2008 MINUTES PAGE 7 Community Development Coordinator Adams explained that the CDBG Sub-committee met last month to review community applications for the fund and made recommendations regarding distribution. Although Council would not be formalizing the recommendations and/or taking any action until a later meeting, representatives of the applicant groups appeared to request consideration of their respective programs as follows: Lisa De Zordo, the Associate Executive Director for the Boys and Girls' Club of San Mateo County appeared and advised that the requested CDBG grant funding would be applied towards the Paradise Valley Boys and Girls' Club located next to Martin School in South San Francisco, which would be closed if the agency could not secure additional funding sources. Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto questioned whether the agency would be satisfied with partial funding of the monies it sought to raise and whether it had sought Redevelopment funds. Ms. De Zordo confirmed that the agency would be pleased with partial funding and would continue to seek other sources of funding such as from the Redevelopment Agency. Susan Murchison representing CORA advised of its need for funding to support its shelter program for individuals affected by domestic violence and abuse. Diane Papan appeared on behalf of John's Closet to seek funding for its program, which provides clothing to needy children and honors the courage and determination of less fortunate members of society. Rosa Guerra of Shelter Network in Daly City thanked the sub-committee for including Shelter Network among its list of programs recommended for CDBG funding. She stated that the Council's continued support of the program helps keep it in existence. Tippy Irwin, the Director of Ombudsman Services, appeared to request funding for the program, which provides services to 780 of the City's most vulnerable residents housed in long term care facilities within City bounds. Lois Ward from HIP Housing, a provider of affordable housing to South San Francisco residents for many years, appeared to thank the sub-committee for including HIP among its list of programs recommended for CDBG funding. She requested an upwards adjustment of $5000 over the recommended funding allocation. Kristina Knudsen of Rebuilding Together appeared and thanked the sub-committee for recommending funding for the program. She advised that Rebuilding Together would be taking on 5 projects in South San Francisco in the near future, including the National Rebuilding Day on April 26th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the installation of heating and water improvements in two homes. City Manager Nagel advised Council that it could discuss the presentations by the community groups, but noted that individual Councilmembers would need to identify conflicts due to their affiliations with certain groups and abstain from related discussion. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 12, 2008 MINUTES PAGE 8 Councilman Mullin advised he was conflicted from discussing and/or taking any action with respect to funding for applicants North Peninsula Neighborhood Services, HIP Housing and Shelter Network. Councilman Garbarino stressed the difficulty involved in n1aking the decision to allocate the very limited alllOunt of CDGB funding available. He requested that applicants with little history in our con1munity re-apply for CDGB funding once history had been established. He fUliher explained that the sub-con1mittee had n1ade a determination to provide a grant of at least $5000 to each applicant selected for funding to ensure substantive and/or llleaningful use of the funds. In response to con1ments fron1 various Councihnelllbers, COllllllunity Development Coordinator Adallls advised that all applicants were informed of the subcon1n1ittee's recon11llendations and made aware of funding opportunities outside of CDBG grants, including Redevelopment funding where appropriate. COUNCIL COMMUNITY FORUM Per Mayor Pro Tern Matsumoto's request, Council addressed the issue of attendance at various meetings and events scheduled for March 28th. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Mayor Gonzalez adjourned the llleeting in honor of JallleS Lineberger, Wanda Earlene Greer, Mary Louise Chimenti and Eugenio Bonaguidi at 9:48 p.m. Submitted by: Approved: , / Pedro GonzaleztMayorC~ City of South San Francisco REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 12,2008 PAGE 9 THE LEAGUE OF WOIYIEN VOTERS Attachment 1 NORTH and CENTRAL SAN MATEO COUNTY March 12, 2008 South San Francisco City Council City Hall 400 Grand Avenue South San Francisco, CA 94080 Dear Honorable Mayor and City Council Members: The League of Women Voters of North and Central San Mateo County supports Sheriff Greg Munks' recommendation for a pilot women's rehabilitation program designed to ease overcrowding at the county's women's jail. A current grand jury fIDding echoed a previous grand jury investigation from 2005-2006; both grand juries agreed overcrowded conditions at the San Mateo County Women's Correctional Facility have reached a crisis point, and temporary measures must be implemented immediately. The 2006 grand jury called the jail "a crowded disgrace." Overcrowding in the women's jail, according to the report, has resulted in "egregiously inadequate" visiting facilities, lack of space for classrooms, little flexibility to separate potentially hostile inmates, and no accommodation for mothers to visit with their children. A new women's jail is urgently needed to replace the current facility, which is operating at 171 percent of capacity; the earliest that the new jail could be built would be about five years from today. Because of the anticipated delay in building a new Women's Correctional Facility, the hope is to establish a pilot program for 40 low-risk women into an intensive, gender-specific rehabilitation program in the North County Correctional Facility in the South San Francisco court and probation complex. In this proposed facility, the women will receive a variety of programs designed to successfully transition them back into the community, thus reducing the unfortunately high rate of recidivism. These programs can not be offered in the current women's jail due to lack of space. Why wait five years or more to introduce these life changing programs, when moving to the South San Francisco site will enable their trial and implementation? Let's help turn these women's lives around now, by giving them the "tools" they need to be positive contributors to society, as well as, good mothers. The Leagues of Women Voters of San Mateo County support a corrections system which has as its primary goal, rehabilitation-that is the prevention of recidivism--with emphasis on alternatives to incarceration. Many will say the programs to be trialed will give these women a second chance. In reality, most of them never had a first chance. This proposal will offer a first chance, and perhaps the only chance, for many women to make a positive contribution to society. Sincerely, ~ 8cJ1~u ' Marie Baldisseri President III '1:\I:\SLL\ AVE. sun: I SA:\ lVL\TEO, CA 94401 650.342.S853 FAX 650.S88.0881 W\\'W.:\'CS~lC.CA.LvVVNET.ORG