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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2008-06-11 I UTE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO REGULAR MEETING MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING COMMUNITY ROOM WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11,2008 CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 p.n1. ROLL CALL: Present: Counciln1en Addiego, Garbarino and Mullin, Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto and Mayor Gonzalez. Absent: None. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Gonzalez. INVOCATION: Pastor JOIU1 Cantley, Grace Covenant Church. PRESENTATIONS . Recognition of new and prOlnoted City Employees. City Manager Nagel advised that Depmin1ent and/or Division Heads would introduce respective new and promoted employees. Introduction of such elnployees proceeded as follows: Assistant City Manager and Director of Economic and COlnmunity Developll1ent Van DUYl1 introduced Joy Adan1s, the recently hired COlnmunity Development Coordinator. Director of Finance Steele introduced Jennifer Clemente and Joel Resplandor, newly hired Accounting Assistant I elnployees. Fire Chief White introduced newly hjred Adlninistrative Assistant Jomu1a Dawson and Fire Marshall Louis DaSilva. Director of Infonnation Technology Hollis introduced Robert Ceballos a newly hired System Administrator. Valerie SOlnmer introduced Ellen Smith who started as an employee at the South San Francisco Library in 1986. Mrs. Smith had recently been pron10ted to Circulation Supervisor at the Main Library. Director of Parks and Recreation Ranals introduced new employees Marie Patea, Administrative Assistant I, Praxedis Duarte, Building Maintenance Worker and Mary Cochran, Parks Maintenance Worker. She further recognized Tony Tarantino, promoted to Lead Building Maintenance Custodian, Leo Filereto, prolnoted to Senior Building Maintenance Custodian, Jan1es Stacy promoted to Senior Building Maintenance Custodian and Mark Lidwell pron10ted to Lead Parks Maintenance Worker. Chief of Police Raffaelli introduced three (3) new Police Officers, including Officer Milton Alvarado, Officer Josh Cavillo and Officer Nicoh Alday. He fllrther recognized Corporal Sean Cllll11i and Sergeant Mike Riordon, each of WhOll1 had recently been pron10ted to their ranks. He also acknowledged Carlos Guzn1an and Julian Avelar, both of whOln had been prOlnoted to Parking Service Technician positions. Presentation announcing South San Francisco Centennial Fourth of July Picnic at Orange Men10rial Parle Residents Rich and Jeanette Holt and Chuck Elliot invited the public to attend the Centennial Fourth of July Picnic at Orange Men10rial Park. Mrs. Holt advised that children's gan1es and crafts, a salsa Inaking contest and a concert by the California Cowboys would be an10ng the afternoon's festivities. J & J Barbecue would sell a barbecue lunch or residents could bring their own picnic lunch. To add to the weekend's festivities, a special bingo event to benefit the Centelmial COlnmittee would be held at El Camino High School at 9:30 a.m. on July 5, 2008, with lunch to be served at 11 :30 a.ln. Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto advised the bocce courts would be open for the Fourth of July Picnic. Mayor Gonzalez questioned the price of the barbecue lunch. Mrs. Holt advised that a hot dog or hamburger with chips and a soda could be purchased for $1. Watennelon, pink popcorn and other traditional picnic refresrunents would be sold. AGENDA REVIEW City Manager Nagel recomlnended that Council remove !ten1 No.5 from the Agenda and continue its consideration to the June 25, 2008 Ineeting. Council accepted this recolnlnendation. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. ITEMS FROM COUNCIL . Announcements. . Comlnittee Reports. Councihnembers reported on attendance at community meetings and events, including a Downtown Merchants meeting, at which an ambitious agenda for improvelnents to the Downtown Streetscape was discussed. Residents were reminded to help mitigate the risk of West Nile Virus by not leaving standing water for mosquitoes. Council further spoke regarding public improvements and noted staff s efforts, including employees' contributions to the REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 11,2008 MINUTES PAGE 2 landscaping at the new Recreation Building, which was on display at the May 31, 2008 dedication. Council fllrther recognized Maria Sprell1ich and her staff and pupils for their work in putting together the Annual South San Francisco Civic Ballet perfonnance. Specific iten1s for fllrther action and/or consideration were set fOlih as follows: Counciln1an Mullin announced withdrawal of his request to agendize a resolution in support of SB 375 due to concerns related to an1endll1ents proposing unfunded state 111andates. He requested that staff continue to track SB 375, so that Councilll1ight reconsider taking a position on the bill if favorably mnended. He further referenced a petition he received fron1 teachers and staff at Spruce Elen1entary School requesting creation of a safe drop-off zone at the school. He also requested attention to graffiti on the outdoor staircase near the end of Alta LOll1a Drive. Mayor Pro Tem Matsllllloto requested consideration of in1provelllents and an education progrmn pertaining to safe routes to schools. She further requested that staff continue to pursue applications and/or installation of can1eras at certain intersections within the City. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Motion to approve the n1inutes of May 21, 2008 and the Ininutes of the May 28, 2008 special n1eeting, regular meeting and joint special meeting. 2. Motion to confinn expense claims of June 11, 2008 in the mnount of $2,114,722.13. 3. Resolution No. 56-2008 authorizing the acceptance of $4000 in donations from the South San Francisco Rotary Club and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades to support Project Read Services and mnending the Library Department's 2007/2008 Operating Budget. 4. Acknowledgment of Proclamation issued on May 30, 2008 honoring South San Francisco resident Barbara Rodgers' nearly 30 year career at KPIX and proclaiming May 30, 2008 as "Barbara Rodgers Day" in South San Francisco. Motion- Counciln1an Addiego/Second- Councilman Garbarino: to approve the Consent Calendar. Unanimously approved by voice vote. LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS 5. Waive Reading and introduce an ordinance adding Chapter 6.46 to the South San Francisco Municipal Code governing Tobacco Retailer Permits. Item postponed to the June 25, 2008 Regular Meeting of the City Council. PUBLIC HEARING 6. Britannia East Grand Master Plan DA Amendment No.2. In accordance with South San Francisco Municipal Code Chapter 19.60, waive reading and introduction of an Ordinance to approve a second modification to the Developlnent Agreement for the Britannia East Grand Project (DAOI-0006 Mod 2) to extend the date of completion for the child care center for five years. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 11,2008 MINUTES PAGE 3 Location: 450 East Grand Avenue Applicant: HCP SSF, LLC (forn1erly Slough SSF, LLC). Chief Planner Kalkin explained that in April of 2002 Council approved the Britannia East Grand Project. At the tilne of approval, the City and developer entered a Developn1ent Agreen1ent, which included the construction of an approxilnately 8000 square foot child care center. Due to the econon1ic clilnate, the Developn1ent Agreen1ent was an1ended in 2005 to require retention of all pern1its for the Center and con1mencen1ent of construction by the end of 2008 with cOll1pletion in 2010. With the exception of the child care facility, all other capital ilnproven1ents required by the Development Agreen1ent were underway. The Developer was requesting an extension of fIve (5) years relative to the child care facility. The extension would pen11it reassessn1ent of the need for the center in light of Genentech' s planned addition of a child care facility, which would accon11nodate 500 children and n1eet child care needs for all of the COll1pany's South San Francisco en1ployees. Accordingly, staffrecOlnn1ended that Council introduce the ordinance to approve a second n10dification to the Developlnent Agreement for the Britam1ia East Grand Project. Public Hearing opened: 8:05 p.m. Marshall Lees, ofl-ICP SSF, LLC explained the COlnpany had expended considerable efforts relating to the child care center, including work to secure required approvals from multiple jurisdictional agencies. He further advised that a number of capital ilnprovements required by the Developn1ent Agreement had been completed or were underway, including iten1s relating to connectivity of the Bay Trail, installation of public art and extensive landscaping that would accommodate biofiltration of stonnwater. A grab-and-go food service and a fitness and recreation center would be incorporated into the developlnent in the fall. Mr. Lees explained the requested extension would deter commencelnent of construction of the child care center in the event Genentech's new child care facility satisfied the need; at which point, the City and the Developer could agree upon an alternative arrangen1ent. Public Hearing closed: 8: 13 p.m. Councilmen Mullin and Garbarino, Mayor Pro Tem Matsulnoto and Mayor Gonzalez advised they had separately and individually Inet with Jon Bergschneider ofHCP SSF, LLC and Geraldine 0' Connor of Genentech regarding this Inatter. Councilman Addiego advised he had talked with Mr. Bergschneider and Ms. O'Connor about it. Mayor Pro Tem Matsllllloto advised she would be supporting the Plam1ing COlllmission's action and echoed the Commission's concen1 that resolution of the child care center requirement be achieved before the Developlnent Agreement expires. Ms. 0' Connor of Genentech' s Office of Govenm1ent Affairs advised that Genentech was very cognizant and supportive of the City's deadlines with respect to the project and was committed to observing the san1e. Motion- Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto/Second- Councilman Garbarino: to waive reading and introduce an ordinance to approve a second modification to the Development Agreement for the Britannia East Grand Project to extend the date of completion for the child care center for five REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 11, 2008 PAGE 4 years. Unanimously approved by voice vote. 7. Annual National Pollution Discharge Elill1ination Systen1 ("NPDES") County Wide Stonnwater Management Plan General Progran1 and Fee. Technical Services Supervisor Prudhel conveyed the staff report recon1n1ending that Council adopt a resolution requesting the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors to approve use of the San Mateo County Flood Control District as the f"lmding Inechanisn1 to support the Countywide National Pollution Discharge Elin1ination Systen1 (NPDES) General Progrml1 as follows: The EnvirOlu11ental Protection Agency, under mllendn1ents to the 1987 Clean Water Act, ilnposed regulations n1andating that local governn1ents control and reduce the mnount of ston11water pollution runoff into receiving waters of the United States. In response, local agencies within San Mateo County forn1ed an area-wide plan to illlplen1ent the n1andate and developed an initial Storn1water Managen1ent Plan. Since that till1e, the area-wide plan had undergone mnendn1ent and new permits were adopted to better con1ply with the Regional Water Quality Control Board requirelllents through the San Mateo County Stonnwater Pollution Prevention Program Municipal Stormwater NPDES Pennit process. The County regulates the plan through collection of a parcel fee, which was adopted in 1992 subject to CPI increase fonnulas. The 2008/2009 general progrmll budget is $1,520,415.00. The funding would be provided from the San Mateo Countywide General Progran1 Budget Year 16. For year 16 activities, con1bined single- family residential land users would be charged $6.30 per parcel to establish the base rate. Technical Services Supervisor Prudhel opined that by adopting the proposed resolution, Council would continue to honor the program and approve of the basic fees. She further explained the resolution approved the progrmn with CPI increases without the requirelnent of Council review each year. Mayor Pro Tem Matslllnoto comn1ented that for public awareness reasons, she preferred CPI increases to be reviewed by Council annually. Mayor Gonzalez concurred. Councihnan Addiego cOlnlnented on the in1portance of Council's annual review of the item, which operates as a tax. Chief Assistant City Attorney Woodruff advised Council to open the public hearing on the itelll. Public Hearing opened: 8 :22 p.n1. Director of Public Works White advised that if Council desired to entertain the idea of continuing with annual review ofNPDES fees, the proposed resolution would require amendlnent prior to adoption. Chief Assistant City Atton1ey Woodruff advised Council to remove language in the proposed resolution pertaining to automatic approval consistent with CPI rates. Councilmembers expressed agreement with the suggested revisions. Public Hearing closed: 8 :25 pIn. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 11, 2008 PAGE 5 Motion- Counciln1an Garbarino/Second- Mayor Pro Ten1 Matsllll1otO: to approve Resolution No. 57-2008. Unanin10usly approved by voice vote. 8. Proposed Sewer Rate increase and "Report of Annual Sewer Rentals and Charges" for Fiscal Year 2008-2009. Director of Public Works White presented the staff report recOlnn1ending that Council adopt a resolution establishing sewer service rates for Fiscal Year 2008-2009, amending the n1aster fee schedule to include the rates, and adopting the "Report of Annual Sewer Rentals and Charges" for fIscal Year 2008-2009 as follows: In 2004, in accordance with Proposition 218, the City en1barked on a financial plan to increase rates to fInance capital in1proven1ents to the City's Water Quality Control Plant. The ilnproven1ents were necessary to con1ply with state and federal clean water requirelnents. In addition, the City con1pleted several wet weather projects to COll1ply with the State Regional Water Quality Control Board's requiren1ents. In order to fund the final year of the plan, staff was recon1n1ending Council's approval of the Inaxilnum 9% rate increase. Director of Public Works White explained the increase mnounted to an additional $2.67 hnonth per residence. Business owners were notified in early May that their rate would increase by 9% based upon water usage. The public hearing on the subject was also noticed via newspaper publication. Director of Public Works White closed by noting that even considering the increase, the City's rates Inaintained a position in the lower 25% of rates countywide. Public Hearing opened: 8 :29 p.m. Public Hearing closed: 8:29 p.ln. Mayor Pro Tem MatsUlnoto stated the public should be aware that businesses pay a heavy percentage of the cost. Counciln1an Mullin requested an explanation of the initial funding Inechanisn1 for the $40 million capital improvement to the plant. Director of Public Works White advised that a low interest state loan accOlnplished the bulk of funding. Councihnan Addiego questioned the basis of the fee determination related to comlnercial classes. Technical Services Supervisor Prudhel advised it was her responsibility to calculate sewer service charges. On a yearly basis, Calwater sends water usage information to her. She then individually reviews the files of 1700 + commercial users, double checking water usage and making sure the correct rate is applied to each user. Councilman Addiego commented that at some point in the future, it might be interesting to consider a fee based on actual usage as opposed to a flat rate for residential users. He further observed the 2008/2009 fiscal year represented the last year of the five (5) year plan adopted in June 2004. He questioned next year's requirelnents. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 11, 2008 PAGE 6 Director of Public Works White advised that the Proposition 218 process would be follo'wed again and Council would have to n1ake a detennination as to whether another five (5) year plan or a yearly progrmn would be pursued. Counciln1an Addiego opined that next year's required detern1ination n1ight present an opportune tin1e to consider front-funding the recycled water progrmn. Director of Public Works White advised that recycled water progrml1 funding would be included in next year's analysis. Mayor Gonzalez expressed an interest in a tax based on usage with respect to residential users. He questioned how long South San Francisco had pursued a flat rate fee on such use. Director of Public Works White advised the current rate structure had existed for five (5) years. He offered to look into exactly how far back the flat rate fee structure had been applied in the City. Councihnan Addiego observed that at least since the 1980s, a flat rate had been applied. Director of Finance Steele advised that the five (5) year financial analysis always includes an assessn1ent of whether the proposed fee assigned to each rate payer class is a fair reflection of what is actually being used. He further advised that based upon the Water Quality Control Plant's fixed costs, there was not Inuch variation an10ng water usage costs in one (l) or two (2) person households as compared to larger households. Motion- Mayor Pro Teln Matslllnoto/Second- Councilman Mullin: to approve Resolution 58- 2008. Unanimously approved by voice vote. 9. Stormwater Managelnent Progrmn Rate Structure for Fiscal Year 2008-2009. Technical Services Supervisor Prudhel reviewed the staff report recon1mending that Council adopt a Resolution establishing Stonnwater Managelnent Program charges for Fiscal Year 2008 and 2009 and further recon1mending that the Council adopt the Public Works Director's Report of Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Stonnwater Management Service Fees as follows: The 2008-2009 Fiscal Year Inarked the 16th year of the City's participation in the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program ("STOPP"). Under amendlnents to the 1987 Clean Water Act, the Environmental Protection Agency imposed regulations mandating local govermnent to control and reduce stolIDwater pollution runoff. By direction of the City Council, Stormwater progrmn charges were developed and reflected the same charges as the prior year. Public Hearing opened: 8:50 p.m. Public Hearing closed: 8:50 p.m. Mayor Pro Teln Matsumoto questioned how potential changes to the regional pennit process might affect the City's staffing needs. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 11,2008 MINUTES PAGE 7 Director of Public Works White advised the cost of the progran1 would substantially increase due to staffIng needs, if the n1lmicipal regional pennit revisions were to be enacted as drafted. Accordingly, the City n1ight be required to go through the Proposition 218 process to raise rates in relation to the progran1. Counciln1an Garbarino questioned how the City protects against residents who cause storn1 drain pollution through such activities as washing paint brushes and cars. Technical Services Supervisor Prudhel advised the Departn1ent pmiicipates in con1n1lmity outreach and inspectors survey neighborhoods for violations. Mayor Pro Tell1 Matsun10to questioned whether watering or washing down sidewalks in front of businesses was legal. Technical Services Supervisor Prudhel responded that business owners should be dry sweeping and/or n10pping in front of their businesses. Councilman Addiego and Mayor Pro Teln Matsun10to COlnn1ented that a public education presentation on the subject at a future Council n1eeting Inight be valuable. Motion- Councihnan Garbarino/Second- Counciln1an Addiego: to approve Resolutions Nos. 59-2008 and 60-2008. Unanilnously approved by voice vote. Recess: 8:59 p.m. Meeting resumed: 9:05 p.m. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 10. Resolution No. 61-2008 approving the South San Francisco Conference Center Authority Fiscal Year 2008-2009 Budget. Executive Director of the South San Francisco Conference Center, Sandra O'Toole advised that in addition to Council Representatives Mullin and Gonzalez and Ex Officio Melnber Nagel, In embers of the Conference Center Authority, including Fil da Cunha, Paul Formosa and Jin1 McGuire were present as was Ex Officio Member Maria Martinucci. She then presented the Fiscal Year 2008/2009 Budget to Council as follows: Executive Director O'Toole advised the 2007/2008 Fiscal Year was the Conference Center's most successful during its over 15 year existence. The opening of the Oyster Point ROOln enhanced the Center's ability to capture additional business. Fiscal Year 2008/2009 was projected to be another good year for the Conference Center, but not quite as record setting as 2007/2008. While the Center had several high number events booked for the year, it had unfortunately lost a couple of large, rent intensive pieces of business that had outgrown it. The Conference Center was awarded the prestigious 2008 Pinacle Award, a sign of excellence in the industry. The website continued to be a n1ajor marketing tool for the REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 11, 2008 PAGE 8 Center and staff was continually working to in1prove it. Infonl1ation on the website would soon be translated and n1ade available in five (5) languages. A South San Francisco hotel booking reservation tool would also be added to the hOlnepage. Revenues were projected at $ 3 Million +. On the expenditure side, $3 n1illion was projected with a Capital In1proven1ent Budget of $92,000. Executive Director O'Toole also recon11nended taking the Conference Center staff fron1 12.5 to 13 fulltilne positions. The proposed Capital In1proven1ent Budget allowed for client related and usage improven1ents, including replacing the n1essaging systeln with one sUPPoliing LCD flat screens. Additionally, all telephone booths would be removed and a business services center with public con1puters would be installed. Approval of the proposed budget would pern1it the Conference Center to operate within its financial needs. Councihnan Garbarino questioned whether the Executive Director's position was included in the 13 elnployee figure. He further observed the worker's con1pensation figure to be relatively low and questioned the nature of Conference Center payn1ents to the City. Executive Director O'Toole responded that including her position, the proposed budget sought 13 total elnployees for the Center. She further reported that the Conference Center had no workers con1pensation clailns during the year. Regarding payments to the City she explained the Center reilnburses the City for certain services, including payroll processing and public noticing functions, mnong others. Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto questioned the transportation service increase of 87%. She also requested that the Conference Center sign near the shuttle service be in1proved. Executive Director O'Toole explained the transportation service cost related to the Center's participation in the Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance, pursuant to which it paid for a shuttle for groups staying at hotels outside of walking distance from the Conference Center. She further explained the increase related to year end figures as opposed to budget to budget nun1bers. Mayor Pro Tem Matslunoto questioned the reason for the proposed decrease in public relations spending. She further requested an explanation of the group incentive rentals line iteln. Executive Director O'Toole responded the Center overspent the Fiscal 2007/2008 public relations budget by 20% predolninantly for the purpose of promoting the new space. She fUliher explained the group incentive rentals fund is used to balance adjustlnents agreed upon through negotiations with groups and necessary to secure the business. Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto queried whether the business lost due to the growth of certain rent intensive programs went elsewhere in San Mateo County, and if so, where. Executive Director O'Toole responded the lost business related to a high-tech exhibition event went to the San Mateo County Events Center, which had Inore space to accommodate it. Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto questioned whether the Center considered the nUlnber of hotel room nights associated with an event when booking business. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 11, 2008 PAGE 9 Executive Director O'Toole responded that all of the Center's n1arketing efforts were directed at booking and selling to events that would generate the highest nUlnber of occupied local hotel guest rOOll1S. She further advised these efforts were strengthened by the Center's working relationship with local properties. She cautioned, however, that short term business booked within three (3) to six (6) n10nths was booked as necessary to secure business. Counciln1an Addiego requested that future n10nthly reports frOln the Center to Council include a breakdown of local hotel usage. Executive Director O'Toole responded the center n1aintains a report showing group blocks of local hotel rooms, which she would include in n10nthly reports to Council. Mayor Pro Ten1 Matslllnoto requested that the Center's future Inonthly reports to Council also include an explanation of whether hotel business related to Conference Center events and diverted to hotels in other cities was lost due to South San Francisco hotel's booking capacity at the tilne of the event(s). Executive Director O'Toole responded that the Center tracks this infonnation and would provide Council with such reports. Conference Center Authority Men1ber and General Manager of the Grosvenor Hotel, Jiln McGuire added that even single-day business at the Center, such as weddings and other parties, brings revenue opportunities to local hotels. He advised the Center sends notices of such events to local hotels and noted the Grosvenor Hotel considers such notices in seeking business prospects. Councilman Addiego cOlnlnented he was pleased to see the Conference Center staying ahead of the market with respect to en1ployees at the lower end of the pay scale. Motion- Councilman Garbarino/Second- Councilman Addiego: to approve Resolution No. 61- 2008. Unanilnously approved by voice vote. 11. Resolution approving interim fllnding for Fiscal Year 2008-2009 for the South San Francisco Conference Center Authority and appropriating the corresponding funds. Council did not hear this item due to the passage of Resolution No. 61-2008. COUNCIL COMMUNITY FORUM None. Mayor Gonzalez recognized resident Steven Paape who requested to be heard. Mr. Paape advised of his proposal to acquire new computers for West Orange Library and presented Council with a letter describing the same. He explained that through his efforts, the City was accumulating fines related to a property on Conunercial Avenue. He opined that revenues from these fines could be utilized to fund new library cOlnputers. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JUNE 11, 2008 PAGE 10 Counciln1an Addiego suggested that Mr. Paape's presentation 111ight be better heard under the Public Con1ments section of Council's next regular n1eeting on June 25, 2008. ADJOURNMENT Being no fllliher business, Mayor Gonzalez adjourned the n1eeting at 9:30 p.ll1. in honor of Helen L. Fornesi. Approved: Pedro City of South San Francisco COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 11, 2008 PAGE 11 MINUTES