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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2011-10-26 ) S F MINUTES .011 . 0 CITY COUNCIL ` -_ CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO REGULAR MEETING MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING COMMUNITY ROOM 33 ARROYO DRIVE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2011 CALL TO ORDER: TIME: 7:06 P.M. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmembers Gonzalez and Matsumoto, Vice Mayor Garbarino and Mayor Mullin. ABSENT: Councilmember Addiego. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Led by Mayor Mullin. PRESENTATIONS • Improving Public Places Presentation and Volunteers of the Year Awards. Resident Judy Bush, representing the Improving Public Places ( "IPP ") Ad hoc Committee, invited the public to an event on Saturday, November 5th at 9 a.m. for the unveiling of wild flower panels being installed on Centennial Way about 500 feet north of South Spruce Avenue, by the Oroweat building. IPP Member Shane Looper advised a planting would take place following the unveiling of the Panels. Participants would scatter several pounds of wild flower, poppies and lupine seeds. IPP Member Rich Holt advised IPP is a group of volunteers who enjoy planting flowers and trees to help add color to the City. Persons interested in becoming part of IPP could contact the Parks Department at 829 -3837. He thanked all the volunteers. Ms. Bush next presented the Improving Public Places Volunteer of the Year Award. She explained the award is presented annually to a volunteer, and in this case, a family of volunteers for outstanding contributions to IPP. This year the Arias Family was selected to receive the award. The Arias Family was responsible for the maintenance and care of a portion of the sculpture garden at Orange Memorial Park. The Arias' keep the area weed and trash free and regularly attend all the planting events throughout the City which IPP schedules and sponsors each year. On behalf of the IPP Committee she invited the Arias family to the podium to receive the award. She congratulated the Arias family for all it had accomplished. Together with her children, Cynthia Arias thanked the committee for the award. She stated her family members volunteer for IPP because they enjoy doing the work together as a family. Mayor Mullin thanked Councilwoman Matsumoto for her leadership of IPP and the Arias family for their support and dedication to the City. • Halloween Safety Presentation by Chief of Police Massoni & Safety Inspector Rosaia. Safety Inspector Dennis Rosaia presented safety tips covering costumes, trick -or- treating, home decorations and treats. He recommended purchasing fire retardant costumes or the use of fire retardant spray on costumes that were not fire retardant. He advised avoiding costumes that are baggy, hairy, have threads or have hanging items because they might catch fire and /or are trip hazards. Safety Inspector Rosaia also recommended the use of reflective tape on costumes. Parents of small children were advised to get trick -or- treating in before dark. Further, when decorating the house, fire retardant materials and/or fire retardant spray should be used. Battery operated or LED candles were recommended. Chief Mike Massoni provided additional safety tips. Children should always trick -or -treat in groups and stay together. Parents should know where older children are going trick -or- treating. Children should be reminded to never go into anyone's house. Chief Masson urged parents to check all candy and items received trick -or- treating. He noted the Police Department does not have the facilities for testing candy; however, if a parent inspects a piece of fruit/candy and finds an object the Police would do an investigation. There are also websites parents can visit to determine what the candy should look like. The best advice is that if there is any uncertainty about the candy, throw it away. Chief Massoni closed by asking parents to remind their children that vandalism is never cool. Councilwoman Matsumoto asked if the Police Department modifies staffing on Halloween night. Chief Massoni replied staff is always increased on Halloween as it is historically one of the Department's busier nights. He encourages officers to be in the residential areas where there is a higher presence of trick or treaters. Councilmember Gonzalez thanked the Chief for having a safety tips flyer in Spanish. • PG &E Pipeline Presentation by PG &E Representative Ashlie Simpson. Ashlie Simpson, PG &E Government Relations Representative, thanked Council for the opportunity to provide an update on the pipeline construction project currently underway in South San Francisco. The project pertained to a segment of pipeline #132 which had been out of service since early summer. The line begins on Mission Road just south of BART, runs along Mission Road down to Antoinette Lane and ends at West Orange Avenue and A Street. Ms. Simpson provided a PowerPoint presentation explaining that during the early summer months, PG &E conducted and passed a hydrostatic pressure test on the line. It also conducted an in -line video assessment. During the video assessment and geological studies, it was discovered that the pipeline could be very vulnerable in the event of large REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 26, 2011 MINUTES - 2 - seismic activity. While the segment of pipeline falls under the parameters of the pipeline replacement program scheduled for 2012, PG &E determined to take extra precautions to secure the line in the event of an earthquake while providing viable service through the upcoming winter. The probability of an occurrence of an earthquake of critical magnitude is about 1 in every 260 years, or .39% chance per year. Taking into consideration conservative measures in the liquefaction zone analysis and given the importance of this segment to the overall pipeline transmission system on the peninsula, a 24" pipe was being inserted into the 30" pipeline as a temporary measure through the winter in order to provide reliable and safe gas service to the residents of South San Francisco. Dennis Thebeau, Principal Project Manager with CH2M Hill, gave an overview of the different activities along the construction route. He presented a map depicting a yellow area of high liquefaction which paralleled Colma Creek. In the event of a major earthquake, this zone could reach a liquid state and cause damage to the pipeline. Insertion of the 24" pipe would address this issue. Mr. Thebeau explained the project starts at the intersection of A Street and W. Orange Avenue. The project follows A Street to its end along a path behind Burger King, South City Car Wash, down Chestnut Avenue, into Antoinette Lane, bore the Colma Creek, from Mission Road and up to the point where the pipeline turns and heads north. The reason for inserting the 24" into the 30" pipe was related to efficiency and the need to meet the December 1, 2011 completion date. Ms. Simpson reiterated that this segment of pipe is part of the overall segment set to be replaced in 2012. This northern most segment of the pipe must be in service before the peak winter months where customers will be using greater amounts of gas. She then explained plans for the pipeline replacement project in 2012. She noted PG &E had been working closely with the Town of Colma and South San Francisco to find a new route for the pipeline. Currently it runs through rear yard easements between Evergreen and Holly, just off Mission Road and goes up towards San Bruno Mountain. PG &E intends to run the existing pipeline up Mission Road, turn it down Lawndale, back down Hillside Blvd. and Holly Avenue. PG &E was in the process of ongoing outreach to residents in these areas advising of the upcoming project. Residents with questions pertaining to current or future projects were encouraged to call PG &E gas specialist representatives at 888 - 743 -7431, 888 - PGE -PGE1. For general overview PG &E questions, the website is www.pge.com and the customer call center number is 1- 800 -PGE -5000. Ms. Simpson closed by encouraging Contractors to follow California laws and call 811 before digging. Mayor Mullin thanked Ms. Simpson for the presentation and noted he was pleased that PG &E was exercising an abundance of caution given recent events in San Bruno. He questioned whether the aggressive December 1 deadline could be met and what options PG &E would have if the project fell short of this timeline. Ms. Simpson replied that the system was then presently able to meet demand through the pipeline that ends at San Bruno Avenue. However, when the Peninsula begins to experience cold weather on December 1 additional gas would need to be available to residents. Alex Weintraub, Project Manager, explained the December 1 date was based on the historical record of cold winter events. The events, however infrequent, normally take place after December 1 and before the end of February. Accordingly, PG &E's goal was REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 26, 2011 MINUTES - 3 - to place the 6,000 foot section in service prior to that date. If anything unexpected happened, inconvenient but feasible alternatives were available. Mayor Mullin questioned whether the inconvenience would be to customers and /or to PG &E. Mr. Weintraub replied it is based on contingencies which would not mean additional work on City Streets. Mayor Mullin next questioned Ms. Simpson about the larger more permanent 2012 replacement project. He was concerned that given the December 1, 2011 timeline delays affecting the permanent project might take hold. Ms. Simpson replied the projects would be twin tracked. The 2012 replacement team had not stopped the work they started last year. However, the work was being done in conjunction with the pipeline replacement group, not separately. Councilwoman Matsumoto questioned the cone set up near the project on Mission Road. She noted she was driving through Mission Road and it was difficult and confusing. Ms. Simpson replied that the traffic control plans are submitted by a subcontractor that PG &E uses. She would be happy to work with Public Works to come up with something more feasible and less confusing to residents who travel on the street. Vice Mayor Garbarino asked Public Works Director Terry White which City staff members were overseeing the project. Public Works Director Terry White replied staff in the Engineering Department, primarily Bob Hahn and himself. Councilmember Gonzalez asked about the mechanics of inserting the plastic pipe. Ms. Simpson replied that the pipes are made of steel. Steve Jameson, PG &E Construction Manager, explained 24" steel pipe would be inserted inside the existing pipe. The pipe would be welded according to API standards and then x- rayed. Safety and integrity are very important. Accordingly, the sections would be pulled in through the pipe. Once pulled together, a hydro test on the pipeline would be run. It is usually an 8 hour test which tests for 1.5 times the expected operating pressure. Councilmember Gonzalez repeated what Councilwoman Matsumoto mentioned earlier regarding traffic. Mr. Jameson replied PG &E was more than willing to work with the City and Council to do a better job. He would meet with the crew in the morning and discuss it and call Robert Hahn to further discuss traffic improvements. Mayor Mullin questioned whether the permanent replacement pipe would operate side by side with the pipeline presently being worked on. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 26, 2011 MINUTES - 4 - Ms. Simpson replied the present pipeline would be abandoned in place upon the operation of the replacement pipeline. Mayor Mullin questioned whether rain and inclement weather had been factored into the December 1 timeline for the project. Ms. Simpson replied that rain and /or bad weather might affect construction timelines, but workers would do as much as possible during bad weather to continue on an aggressive timeline as safely as possible. Mayor Mullin thanked PG &E for its comprehensive presentation and asked if Ms. Simpson could return before December l st to provide an update on the construction schedule. AGENDA REVIEW City Manager Barry Nagel noted Item 9 did not need hearing. PUBLIC COMMENTS Resident Dr. Joel Weddington stated he and his wife moved to South San Francisco a year and a half ago. They believe Council is doing a great job running the City and enjoy living here. As time goes on, they will be looking for ways to participate and volunteer. Mayor Mullin welcomed Dr. Weddington and his family. ITEMS FROM COUNCIL • Announcements. • Committee Reports. Councilmembers reported on attendance at community meetings and events, including a HEART Board of Directors Meeting, a LAFCo Meeting, a senior focus meeting at Mills Peninsula Hospital, the Historical Society Dinner, CCAG, Transportation Authority Meetings and the ABAG Fall Conference. Council congratulated Director Ranals and the Parks and Recreation Department on the successful Halloween event. Specific items for further action and /or consideration were set forth as follows: Councilmember Gonzalez requested that the City Attorney review and report back to Council regarding Brown Act requirements related to speakers' identifying information related to public comments. Vice Mayor Garbarino requested to adjourn the meeting in memory of Jenny Pariani. Mayor Mullin was invited to make a presentation at Housing Leadership Day on behalf of the City of South San Francisco because the City was recognized as doing quite a bit of work on the Grand Boulevard Initiative. He thanked Associate Planner Billy Gross for REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 26, 2011 MINUTES - 5 - putting the presentation together and City Planner Susy Kalkin for the opportunity to promote what is happening in South San Francisco. Mayor Mullin then asked Chief of Police Massoni for a brief update on the investigation of Joseph Majeraj's death and a general follow up on the other investigations related to the homicides that occurred in 2010. Chief Massoni stated that last year the City had 5 homicides which continue to be investigated. The leads related to the first two were getting cold. The Department has not received much new information and is still pursuing some leads, but is asking the community to step forward and assist. The Department has some promising leads in the December homicide that are being worked on continually. The most recent homicide in September of this year remains unsolved; however, the Department has received some information. The Chief remains optimistic that the homicides will be solved. He reminded the community that a $25,000 reward for information leading to arrest and conviction was being offered. Mayor Mullin asked Chief Massoni to remind the public about anonymous tip lines. Chief Massoni explained anyone can call the regular Department line at 877 -8900 and ask to speak to an officer or detective. Callers do not have to identify themselves or where they are calling from. There is also an anonymous tip line, 952 -2224 that anybody can call. That phone number is also answered by a live person who will ask questions but will not ask for identifying information. He encouraged anyone with any information to contact the Department. At Mayor Mullin's request, Chief Massoni next provided an update on the work of the NRT. The Chief explained that when Council approved the team, he gave the officers direction to take strict enforcement action and to do significant outreach within the community. The team meets with businesses in the Old Town area and throughout the City to keep in touch regarding neighborhood safety issues. If the team comes across a group of young children, men or women playing a game in the park, they will engage and try to get to know the individuals. Team members are walking the neighborhoods, meeting the neighbors, and spending time in the elementary schools and after school programs assisting kids with homework. To date, the team has built a very good relationship with the community. Chief Massoni stated that the feedback he has received from the business and civilian communities indicates a strong appreciation for the team's work. Vice Mayor Garbarino commented he went for a ride -along with the NRT and was very pleased to see the relationships team members had established and their positive presence in the community. Mayor Mullin mentioned that he had the opportunity to go for a ride -along as well and was very impressed by the team's professionalism. He asked the Chief to pass these praises on to the team and to keep Council and the public apprised of their progress. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 26, 2011 MINUTES - 6 - • Request for a Sustainable Communities Strategy/ RHNA Policy Advisory Committee Appointee. Mayor Mullin appointed Councilwoman Matsumoto to this seat. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Motion to approve the minutes of October 12, 2011. 2. Motion to approve expense claims of October 26, 2011. 3. Waive reading and adopt Ordinance No. 1451 -2011 amending Section 6.94.090 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code regarding Film Permit Processing Fees. 4. Waive reading and adopt Ordinance No. 1450 -2011 relating to Franchise Towing Agreement. 5. Motion to accept the Solar System for Annex Building Project as complete in accordance with the Plans and Specifications. 6. Resolution No. 126 -2011 authorizing the acceptance of $90,000 in grant funding to support Project Read and amending the Library Department's 2011/2012 operating budget. 7. Resolution No. 127 -2011 approving the use of funds from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to preserve the affordability of BMR units citywide, approving a loan in the amount of $50,000 to preserve a unit at Oak Farms, and approving execution of documents in connection with such loan. 8. Resolution No. 128 -2011 approving an agreement for Community Development Block Grant funds between the City of South San Francisco as grantor and the City of South San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department and Library as grantees for the 2011 -2012 fiscal year. Motion— Vice Mayor Garbarino /Second— Councilman Gonzalez: to approve Consent Calendar Items Nos. 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 8. Approved by the following voice vote: AYES: Councilmembers Gonzalez and Matsumoto, Vice Mayor Garbarino and Mayor Mullin. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Addiego. Item 3: Councilmember Gonzalez questioned whether the ordinance was changing the current film permit fee. Assistant City Manager Marty Van Duyn replied that the ordinance was not changing the permit fee. Instead, it was removing the fee amount from the code and placing it in the Master Fee Schedule, which could be modified by Resolution in the future. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 26, 2011 MINUTES - 7 - Item 5: Councilmember Gonzalez questioned the maintenance of the solar equipment on the Annex. Acting City Engineer Sam Bautista replied that the photovoltaic system is virtually maintenance free. The City has a warranty from the contractor for a year. He further explained that the panels have a 20 year warranty and the inverters have a 15 year warranty. Vice Mayor Garbarino mentioned that in the staff report it stated annual electricity savings of approximately 85% he questioned how that translated in dollars. Acting City Engineer Sam Bautista replied that when they were looking into systems and looking at PG &E bills, the bill was $1,400 /month, so it would be 85% of that. Councilwoman Matsumoto asked if that would be after installation costs and rebates. Acting City Engineer Sam Bautista replied that the City is already saving. Councilwoman Matsumoto clarified the City paid construction costs of roughly $358,000. She questioned when this amount would be realized in savings. Acting City Engineer Sam Bautista replied that in about 10.5 years the amount would be paid off and anything generated after that time would be direct savings. City Manager Nagel clarified the original funding for the project came from a grant from the Department of Energy. So the City's savings were already directly proportional to whatever it had been paying in electricity bills. Motion— Councilmember Gonzalez /Second— Vice Mayor Garbarino: to approve Consent Calendar Items Nos. 3 and 5. Approved by the following voice vote: AYES: Councilmembers Gonzalez and Matsumoto, Vice Mayor Garbarino and Mayor Mullin. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilman Addiego CLOSED SESSION 9. Conference with Labor Negotiators. (Pursuant to Government Code § 54957.6) Agency designated representative: Kathy Mount Employee organizations: AFSCME, Local 829, AFL -CIO Confidential Unit, Teamsters Local 856 International Association of Firefighters, Local 1507 Mid - management Unit International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 39 South San Francisco Police Association Public Safety Managers Executive Management Unit. Item not heard. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 26, 2011 MINUTES - 8 - COMMUNITY FORUM Councilmember Gonzalez requested to adjourn the meeting in memory of Manuel Contreras. Councilmember Gonzalez then mentioned Councilwoman Matsumoto, Vice Mayor Garbarino and he were present at the Badge Swearing -in Ceremony at the Police Department and welcomed the new members of the Police to the force. He announced the Community Preservation Task Force would have an e -waste event on November 4th and 5 at Fire Station 61. Any funds generated from the event would be utilized to plant trees around the City. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Mayor Mullin adjourned the meeting at 8:21 p.m. in memory of Jenny Pariani and Manuel Contreras. Submitte by: Appro ed: ista oy ' artine , City Clerk 0,014 AAA Kevin Mullin, Mayor City of S th S rancisco City of South San Francisco REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 26, 2011 MINUTES - 9 -