HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2012-12-1219E+1�
ROLL CALL:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
AGENDA REVIEW
REGULAR MEETING
MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING
COMMUNITY ROOM
33 ARROYO DRIVE
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2012
TIME: 7:05 P.M.
PRESENT: Councilmembers Addiego and Garbarino,
Mayor Pro Tern Matsumoto and Mayor
Gonzalez.
ABSENT: None.
Led by Mayor Gonzalez.
City Manager Nagel recommended moving Item 14, public hearing, to be heard after Items
from Council due to the large audience in attendance for the Item.
Council agreed.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Kate Comfort —Harr, Executive Director of HIP Housing, congratulated Mayor Gonzalez
and thanked the Council for its support of the organization. She presented
Councilmembers with the 2013 HIP Housing Calendar.*
*Ms. Comfort-Harr made her comments later in the meeting at the opening of the Public
Hearing pertaining to Item No. 14. As the comments were general and not related to the
public meeting, they are referenced here.
ITEMS FROM COUNCIL
• Announcements,
• Committee Reports.
Councilmembers reported on attendance at community meetings and events including, an
Oversight Board Meeting, the League of California Cities Water Directors Meeting and a
SamTrans meeting. Staff was commended for its work staffing the Oversight Board to the
Successor Agency of the Former Redevelopment Agency. Announcements were made
regarding upcoming events including a SamTrans Public Hearing that would be held in
February or March pertinent to changes to local bus routes. Specific items for further
action and/or consideration were set forth as follows:
Councilman Addiego requested that the meeting be adjourned in honor of Helen May Cain,
long time resident involved in the Boys and Girls Club, local PTA and PAL.
Councilman Addiego, requested that staff agendize a report on the Proposition IA
Implications of the State Department of Finance's Methodology for allocating
Redevelopment Property Tax Trust Fund (RPTTF) Proceeds. He further requested
additional discussion on the Public Safety Impact Fee passed at the December 10, 2012
Special Meeting and requested that staff schedule this item at a future Council meeting.
Update on status of applications for appointment to vacant City Council seat and
determination of procedure for filling such seat, including the setting of meetings to
consider appointment and/or the setting of a special election.
City Clerk Martinelli reported on the status of applications received from:
Rhonda Marie Ceccato
Pradeep C. Gupta
Amel Junio Gutierrez
Carlos Luis Martin
Mark H. Nagales
Richard Allen Ochsenhirt
John William Poletti
John William Prouty
Nakshin Shah.
Mayor Pro Tern Matsumoto reminded the public of the deadline for applications-
Thursday, 12/1302012 at 5 p.m.
City Clerk Martinelli advised applications are available on the City's website on the home
page or by contacting the City Clerk's office at 650-877-8518. The application may be
submitted by fax number, by e-mail or delivered to the office.
City Manager Nagel requested to confirm dates to interview applicants. At a prior meeting
Council had discussed Tuesday, Wednesday and/or Thursday of the upcoming week. He
also inquired as to whether Council desired to formulate questions and/or create a
subcommittee to do so.
Council determined to hold the interviews on Wednesday, December 19'h at 6 p.m. and
Saturday December 22nd at 9 a.m. at City Hall. Council decided against a subcommittee to
develop questions.
City Attorney Mattas queried Council's preference with respect to length of interview for
scheduling purposes.
Council concurred that 30 minutes was appropriate.
anit Kok"
14. An Interim Ordinance of the City of South San Francisco making findings and
establishing (1) a city-wide moratorium on the issuance of use permits, building
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 12, 2012
MINUTES 2
permits, or any other applicable entitlement for large format retail or superstore
uses and (2) a moratorium on the issuance of use permits, building pen-nits, or any
other applicable entitlement for grocery uses in the east of 101 area.
Public Hearing Opened: 7:31 p.m.
Principal Planner Beaudin presented the staff report recommending adoption of the 45 day
moratorium. The effect of the moratorium would be to freeze any and all City permits for
the approval of large format retail uses the in the entire City and to freeze all City permits
and approvals that would be necessary to establish grocery uses east of the 101 area.
The City commissioned a grocery use economic impact analysis earlier in the year which
concluded that the addition of a grocery store within a new superstore in the community
translated into the loss of 5% to 20% of grocery sales for existing stores in the City. The
report also suggested that superstores with a grocery component could limit the
community's ability to attract certain types of grocers in the future,
The analysis raised questions pertinent to the City's land use regulations which identify the
location where uses can be situated in the community and define the various uses
permitted, conditionally permitted or not permitted. Staff believed that time should be
taken to evaluate the optimal locations for new large format retail and grocery uses in the
City and to generate better definition with respect to large format retail uses and evaluation
of the positive and negative impacts of a superstore with respect to the land use regulations.
Principal Planner Beaudin provided a PowerPoint presentation, including slides showing
possible opportunity sites identified for large format retail and grocery uses in the
community. The first slide depicted red circles identifying selected larger sites or areas
that would have relatively good vehicular access and/or could be large enough to
accommodate a superstore. Locations included sites on Dubuque Avenue, Gellert
Boulevard, S. Spruce Avenue, S. Airport Boulevard and Produce Avenue. The second
slide depicted grocery uses as defined in the zoning ordinance. Food and beverage retail
uses on the east side of 101 would more likely occur in the Freeway Commercial and
Business Commercial Zoning Districts,
Should Council adopt the moratorium for large format retail and grocery uses, staff would
take the necessary time to comprehensively evaluate the City's land use regulations and
report back with recommended changes to the zoning ordinance
Based on these points and the information contained in the staff report, staff recommended
that Council adopt the 45 day moratorium and determine that there is an immediate threat
to health and welfare and that the issuance of permits or the approval of any entitlements
would be detrimental to the community. The moratorium could be extended up to 2 years.
Since the report was published, the Clerk and City Attorney each received one letter from
Lowe's which currently operates a store on Dubuque Avenue, The first letter dated
December 7 urges Council to reject any action which would limit large format retail or
grocery uses on Dubuque Avenue. The second letter dated December 10 requests that
Council amend the exemptions section to the interim ordinance to allow existing large
format retail uses to complete repairs and remodeling work. In addition to the 2 letters
from Lowe's the property owner, Intereal, addressed a letter to Council dated December 10
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 12,2012
MINUTES 3
that also urges Council to reject any action that limits large format retail or grocery uses on
Dubuque Avenue. Exempting existing uses from the moratorium could frustrate the City's
effort to address comprehensive land use regulations for large forinat retail and grocery
uses in the community. Staff was not recommending any changes at this time based on the
written correspondence from Lowe's and Intereal,
Principal Planner Beaudin further explained the proposed interim ordinance may only be
adopted with a 4/5 vote of the Council and because Council only has 4 members seated at
this time, a unanimous vote would be required for adoption of the Moratorium.
Mayor Gonzalez advised that speakers would be limited to 2 minutes. He suggested that
comments not be repeated and that a person's stance on the moratorium be stated in
instances where comments would be repetitive of previous statements.
Joe Mirata, a Grand Avenue business owner since 1964 stated he had heard rumors about a
possible Wal-Mart coming into town. He believed it would be a disaster for the Downtown
Merchants. He noted his opposition to a store like Wal -Mart coming into town.
Resident Merlin Nelson stated his opposition to Wal-Mart moving in east of 101. He noted
that in his line of work he has visited many Wal-Mart stores, including, among others,
Sacrairiento, Atwater and Fresno. He noted that the stores cause a lot of congestion, with
as much as 50-60 containers being loaded behind store buildings at any given time. He
opined a Wal-Mart in South San Francisco would run small businesses out of the
Downtown area.
Resident since 1965, Ed Meintz presented Council with petitions opposing a Wal-Mart in
South San Francisco. He stated Wal-Mart pays low wages and is contemptuous of public
services and emergency services. He stated Wal-Mart workers are often on food stamps
and it should not be permitted to operate this way.
Serena 1p stated her comments were representative of a local coalition with a robust interest
in the South San Francisco Downtown Plan. The coalition included representatives from
the Housing Division Council of San Mateo County, the San Mateo Building Trades
Council, the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter, the San Mateo County Union Community
Alliance, the Sheet Metal Workers Union, the Peninsula Interface Action, the Green
Building Alliance and United Food and Commercial Workers, among others. The coalition
wanted to emphasize the importance of community benefits that produce greener and
healthier development alternatives, housing affordability and homelessness solutions,
effective and affordable public transit, as well as pedestrian and bicyclist options, building
a strong local economy and creating jobs in the community. The coalition is particularly
concerned with the effect of superstores on businesses in close proximity to the plan area.
It understands homebuyers and renters are looking for opportunities for shopping and other
amenities in a vibrant pedestrian friendly atmosphere. Introduction of a superstore would
stifle the ability for smaller retailers like those currently found in the Downtown to thrive.
The coalition urged Council to implement the moratorium.
Edward Al-Ghani of the Richview Community in South San Francisco stated support for a
moratorium with a minimum of 90 days.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 12, 2012
MINUTES 4
Minna Richardson was concerned about introducing another big box development. She
noted rumors that a Supercenter Wal-Mart intends to be located at Lowe's present location.
She opined Wal-Mart's image is inconsistent with the Biotech image that South San
Francisco now enjoys and is known for.
Dave Figueroa stated a parking structure was built to bring business to the Downtown area.
He and his family shop and visit Downtown businesses. He supports his City and the
people who live here. lie agreed with staff's recommendation regarding a moratorium, but
believed a two year moratorium would be best.
Jerry Reed stated he moved his family to South San Francisco to raise his children. He did
not want them to be enslaved by having only one option when they get to working age. He
wants his children to be able to access the train station and would like to have the high
speed rail stop here. He did not want people from Oakland to take the ferry to come here to
shop at Wal -Mart. He preferred that Council approve the moratorium for as long as
possible.
Rick Hedges noted he had invited the Council to tour the Contra Costa Transit Center.
Former Councilman Mullin took the tour. He believed South San Francisco has an
excellent chance to have a similar type of development. He was in support of the interim
moratorium cast of 101, He stated the Caltrain Station is 100 feet from the Lowe's
entrance. He asked Council to imagine the backup of traffic on Dubuque Avenue due to
Wal-Mart. He queried the difficulty this would cause for access in and out of the Caltrain
Station. He did not believe it would be workable. He stated a moratorium was needed as
was a conditional use ordinance that would force any change of use in that area to go
through an evaluation process related to impact on the Downtown Plan and Station
Improvements.
Michelle Radcliffe, owner/operator of South City Grocery Outlet, a small family owned
business, stated that if a superstore is allowed in the City, it was projected that current
grocers like her would experience a 9-10% decrease in sales. Larger stores like Lucky or.
Safeway could expect a 20-25% decrease, She noted the impact this would have on local
jobs and stated that small businesses cannot compete with superstores.
Rita Hernandez, owner of Panaderia Hernandez on Grand Avenue stated that if Wal-Mart
comes into the City it would be the end of businesses on Grand Avenue. She had been in
business in the City for 30 years and believed a small business like hers would suffer badly.
She urged Council to make it easier for small businesses to get business licenses, but to say
no to Wal-Mart. She closed by urging that South San Francisco take a stand and not allow
a Wal-Mart in the City.
William Nack of the San Mateo Building Trades Council stated the Trades Council
represents 26 local construction unions with a membership of 14,000 of the highest skilled
union crafts men and women in the construction industry today. He advised that many
members and representatives were present in the audience. Mr. black quoted a few
paragraphs of the analysis findings in the staff report and stated the last thing the Trades
Council wants is for the large retail superstores to decimate South San Francisco's small
business community and deter other high quality grocery retailers from locating in our
community of South San Francisco.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 12, 2012
MINUTES 5
Resident Steven Pitocchi stated his father had been a small business owner on Grand
Avenue. He supported the moratorium, at least for 90 days if not for up to 2 years. His
concerns related to threats to public health, safety and welfare that a large superstore might
bring. He noted the staff report indicated geographic regions for possible placement of
stores- three of which were in very close proximity to where he lives on Village Way.
Traffic is already bad there especially during commuting hours. Trucks are continuously
delivering to businesses in the area. He opined that environmental impacts should be taken
into consideration, including pollution from transmission fuels as well as noise. He
questioned how these would affect not only the elderly, but the young and adolescent.
With regard to traffic there are also safety concerns related to police response, emergency
response and fire response in the Downtown area.
Sergio Hernandez of Panaderia Hernandez opined the general consensus is that the City of
South San Francisco does not need big box retail stores. A big store east of 101 would be a
pit stop for people from neighboring cities. Customers could get on and off the highway
without having to come into South San Francisco. He believed a Wal-Mart would also
impact business in other local cities. As a small business owner, one cannot afford the
scale that Wal-Mart produces. He believed it was unfair and unjust. He stated the image it
brings is unbearable. He observed other chain stores try to integrate within the community
and reach out to help. He quoted a study on superstores from another state and noted
neighboring grocery stores lost 10.1 % annual revenues after the first year and 20% annual
revenues after five years. He urged Council not to permit Wal-Mart to come into the
neighborhood.
Dr. Leo Torio an Optometrist with a clinic located on Linden Avenue stated that over a
decade ago he addressed the City Council when Wal-Mart was proposing to move into the
City. After that meeting he was very impressed at how local small businesses and unions
stood side by side against a large corporation. He was more impressed with how the City
Council listened to the concerns and kept South San Francisco a Wal-Mart free City. He
had spoken to many small businesses on Grand Avenue and noted great concern regarding
the negative impact of Wal-Mart on the Downtown area. He personally patronizes and
supports many of the small businesses and his neighbors around his office. He did not look
forward to Wal-Mart driving these businesses out resulting in many vacant storefronts on
Grand Avenue. He felt compelled to ask the City Council to listen to its local businesses
and unions and not permit Wal-Mart to open a big box location in South San Francisco.
Dave Radcliffe owner/operator of South City Grocery Outlet provided a brief history of his
store. He noted his store's community outreach efforts, including a partnership with St.
Vincent De Paul to donate food for people in need and $4,000 in cash. The store also
donates bread and food to a church up the street. He stated his store would not be able to
compete with a large superstore, because he does not have the largest retailer in the world
bankrolling it. He opined that having a Wal-Mart store in the community would only cause
harm and further stated that Wal-Mart's focus has never been on the community. He
provided an example from Chandler, Arizona in which the town did not allow a Wal-Mart
supercenter.
Shelly Kessler, Executive Secretary Treasurer of the San Mateo County Central Labor
Council, stated that her comments were representative of 110 unions in the county and
RE, GULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 12, 2012
MINUTES 6
75,000 workers and their families. She stated support for the interim grocery or large
format retailer moratorium, and given the holidays, requested that the moratorium be
extended at least 90 days, if not longer, to facilitate a reasoned analysis of the proposed
development. Moving forward, she urged Council to create a conditional use ordinance
that includes an environmental impact report as part of the process for future projects that
come before the Council. She noted that Council rejected a Wal-Mart fifteen years ago
based on reports that allowing such a business would increase traffic and be a significant
prohibitive event and element. She opined it stood to reason that any impact would be
worse today.
Tina Acerec, introduced herself as a union business representative for the American
Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, including (AFCSME) Local 829 for
the City of South San Francisco. On behalf of those employees and the community she
stated support for the interim grocery moratorium and moving forward urged a requirement
for a conditional use permit, including an environmental impact report. She stated that the
City employees she represented wanted to maintain a level of service where people want to
stay in the City. She opined this would raise property values to a level that makes it
desirable for people to move here from all over because it is a great City to be in, live in,
shop in and eat in. She stated that local businesses are an intricate part of the community
and stated that bringing in a big box store would be a detriment. She advised that a 2009
study of the differential impact of locally owned businesses and big box stores showed that
big box stores only re-circle 16% of revenue back into the community and locally owned
business can lose twice as much. She further stated that according to the Orange County
Business Council Report increased sales tax to local municipalities by large formula
retailers is a myth. The study found that over the first 2 years sales increased. However,
after that they all fell below the original benchmark. She opined that South San Francisco
cannot afford that. She believed that we need to have the City that everyone wants to be at,
that public employees work hard to maintain and that the Council works hard to maintain.
Resident Mike Swanson stated Wal -Mart is bad business and would create hardships for
the small companies that had spoken. He further opined it would have a negative effect on
local employees and create layoffs at Safeway and Costco, stores in the area that pay a
minimum wage to their employees and benefits. He asked that Council move forward with
the moratorium and say no to Wal-Mart,
Resident Mahina Haro noted she had raised her three boys in South San Francisco. Her
boys looked up to Genentech as a place they might work. She was proud to say her sons
are now employed as scientists and computer engineers. She did not want the average
South San Francisco child to aspire to being a Wal-Mart employee. She opined that the
City need to hang onto the Genentechs of the world and tell our children that they are good
enough and that Wal-Mart is not the end all for jobs. She urged Council to approve the
moratorium.
Jack Donnekan a retired union member stated that the next Wal-Mart store that supports
the City little league team or Chamber of Commerce or any other community activity will
be the first. He asked Council to take that into consideration, including its impact on the
community. He opined Wal-Mart encourages outsiders to come into the City but provides
nothing for the local community. He stated it is not good community business to have a
Wal-Mart within the city borders.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 12,2012
MINUTES 7
Mayor Gonzalez thanked the public for the e-mails Council received. He stated receipt of
46 e-mails and advised the comments were very similar to the ones made at the meeting.
He then queried whether anyone else wished to speak.
Resident Robert Franklin Richardson commended the City for its excellent Police, Fire and
Parks and Recreation Departments and thanked City staff for making South San Francisco
a great place to live. He noted, however, that things were changing. He had recently
received an e-mail about a woman who did not want to shop Downtown because of gangs.
He hoped the Council would approve the moratorium for two years,
Resident Mary Huber advocated for the moratorium. She stated concerns related to
pollution and traffic, which would threaten residents' health. She further commented that
Wal-Mart is open 24 hours, which is unhealthy for workers. She hoped Council would
consider a two year moratorium to study the impacts a superstore would have on the
community.
Victoria Leonard stated that all the industry has left what used to be known as the Industrial
City. She mentioned that manufacturing jobs have moved out of the country and that Wal-
Mart is the biggest importer of goods from China. She opined that Wal -Mart is a Company
that is destroying the industry that was once the backbone of South San Francisco. She
also commented that Wal-Mart has three giant office buildings in San Bruno.
Public Hearing closed: 8:22 p.m.
Councilman Garbarino commented that he had received many e-i-nails and phone calls on
this subject and it was clear to him that the community was not in favor of the addition of a
large superstore to the City. As the son of a small business owner, he empathized with the
bard working men and women that appeared before him this evening. He was in full
support of the 45 day moratorium and would support an extension as well.
Councilman Addiego, rerninded the public that Council was looking at this issue in the
abstract and that the proposed action was not aimed at a specific retailer. He advised that
Council was looking at the concept of large big box retailers generally. He further opined
that businesses like the Grocery Outlet, owned and operated by the Radcliffes represented
the fundamental key to this issue. He noted that the Grocery Outlet had entered a dormant
strip mall, invested in the community and revitalized business in the area. He cited the
business as an example of revitalization done in an ethical and judicious manner. He
complemented the Council for its careful consideration of the issue and thanked the public
for its comments. He stated support for the moratorium.
Mayor Gonzalez thanked the public for turning out and making comments on this issue.
Based on the comments received, he was in support of the moratorium.
Mayor Pro Tem. Matsumoto stated she had listened to all arguments and respected the
comments of those that had appeared before the Council. She could not support the
moratorium due to the fact that a new business would bring increasingly needed revenue to
the City. She stated that with the dissolution of RDA continuing to play out, the need for
revenue was unknown and would likely increase. Based upon this uncertainty, she was
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 12,2012
MINUTES
uncomfortable prohibiting new businesses that might bring money into the community.
She noted that she was on Council when the community opposed Costeo due to traffic
impacts. She stated that the revenue from Costco stores has helped to ensure the fluidity of
City services. She stated that she doesn't shop at Wal-Mart and she does not like it, but in
considering her fiduciary responsibility to the City, she could not in good conscious
outright prohibit such stores from being considered. She further commented that the reason
the City enjoys outstanding Police and Fire services is due to revenue sources that are
drying up, including development fees. She commented that such stores might bring in
$500,000 to $1,000,000 in sales tax revenue- money that is needed for Police, Fire and
parks that she could not simply say no to. She further believed that positioned well, such
stores might generate foot traffic in the City and improve the business climate generally.
She observed that the Wal-Mart in Mountain View did not topple small businesses in the
thriving Downtown area of that city. She further advised that she sat on Council when the
Lowe's application was approved. She noted it was one of the most costly Lowe's stores
ever constructed, which was done to meet the City's requirements. In consideration of all
these factors, she could not support the moratorium.
Upon inquiry from Councilman Addiego, Mayor Pro Tem. Matsumoto stated she could
tentatively support the grocery moratorium in the east of 101 area.
Council Mattas suggested a recess so that staff might briefly study whether it was advisable
to separate the moratoriums in this manner.
Mayor, Gonzalez called for a recess.
Recess: 8.37 p.m.
Meeting resumed 8:58 p.m.
City Attorney Mattas advised that if Council were to simply focus the moratorium on
grocery uses, it would not effectuate the suspension of the ability to go in with large format
retail. If the intent of the Council was to allow a period of time to revisit the zoning
ordinance and consider whether it wished to prohibit a superstore of any sort, then limiting
the moratorium to grocery would not achieve this objective because the zoning ordinance
allows grocery as a function of large format retail.
Councilman Addiego noted that the moratorium was for 45 days. He reminded Mayor Pro
Tern Matsumoto that a 45 day moratorium would allow the Council time to reconsider the
item when a fifth member might be present due to possible appointment by the City
Council.
Motion— Councilman Addiego/Second— Councilman Garbarino: to waive reading and
adopt an interim Ordinance of the City of South San Francisco making findings and
establishing (1) a city-wide moratorium on the issuance of use permits, building permits, or
any other applicable entitlement for large format retail or superstore uses and (2) a
moratorium on the issuance of use permits, building permits, or any other applicable
entitlement for grocery uses in the east of 101 area. Unanimously approved by voice vote.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 12, 2012
MINUTES 9
ITEMS FROM COUNCIL (Cont.)
0 City Selection Committee Appointments.
Councilmembers discussed the candidates for the various City Selection Committee
appointments.
Candidate Hon. Gina Papan, Mayor of Millbrae appeared and was heard with respect to her
candidacy for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission seat.
Council determined to support the individual candidates for uncontested seats. Where seats
were contested, Council determined the following individuals would be supported in first-
round voting. Per Council policy, the Mayor's discretion would apply to voting in later
rounds.
Metropolitan Transportation Commission: Council determined to support Hon. Gina
Papan, Mayor, City of Millbrae.
San Mateo County Transportation Authority, Southern Judicial Cities: Council determined
to support Hon. Rosanne Foust, Councilmember, City of Redwood City.
Chairperson to the City Selection Committee,for 2013: Council determined to support Hon.
Marina Fraser, Councilmember, City of Half Moon Bay.
Vice Chairperson to the City Selection Committee.for 2013: Council determined to support
Hon. Marie Chuang, Councilmember, City of Hillsborough.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion to approve the Minutes of the meetings of November 14, 2012, November
26, 2012 and November 27, 2012.
2. Motion confirming payment registers for December 12, 2011
I Motion to cancel the Regular Meeting of December 26, 2012.
4. Motion to waive reading and adopt an Ordinance adding Chapter 8.64 to the South
San Francisco Municipal Code regarding reusable bags.
5. Motion to waive reading and adopt an Ordinance approving a Development
Agreement with Bayside Area Development, LLC for two 2-Story Office/R&D
Buildings located at 328 Roebling Road.
6. Motion to waive reading and adopt an Ordinance approving a Development
Agreement with HCP Forbes, LLC for two Office/R&D Buildings (one four and
one five stories) located at 494 Forbes Boulevard.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 12, 2012
MINUTES 10
7. Motion to accept the East of 101 Sewer Improvements Pump Station No. 8
Rehabilitation Project (Project No. ss]010) as complete in accordance with the
plans and specifications.
Motion to appoint Jim McGuire and Mark Jenkins to respective hotelier
representative seats on the Conference Center Authority Board effective January 1,
2013 with term expiration dates of March 27, 2016, and Bruce Tognetti and Laura
Fanella to respective business/resident representative seats on the Conference
Center Authority Board effective January 1, 2013 with term expiration dates of
March 27, 2016.
9. Loan agreements between the City of South San Francisco and the
Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of South San Francisco for
payment of several enforceable obligations.
a. Resolution No. 99-2012 of the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the
City of South San Francisco approving a Loan Agreement in the amount of $227,083
with the City of South San Francisco to allow the Successor Agency to make payments
related to a settlement agreement for a claim that had been on prior recognized obligation
payment schedules.
b. Resolution No. 100-2012 of the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the
City of South San Francisco approving a Loan Agreement in the amount of $252,465
with the City of South San Francisco to allow the Successor Agency to make a
recognized obligation payment for housing bond debt service incurred by the former
Redevelopment Agency.
c. Resolution No. 101-2012 of the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of
the City of South San Francisco approving a Loan Agreement in the amount of
$17,906.76 with the City of South San Francisco to allow the Successor Agency to
make payments for several housing recognized obligation payment expenses incurred
but not invoiced until after June 30, 2012.
d. Resolution No. 102-2012 of the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of
the City of Soutli San Francisco approving a Loan Agreement in the amount of
$74,160.71 with the City of South San Francisco to allow the Successor Agency to
make payments for several non-housing recognized obligation payment expenses
incurred but not invoiced until after June 30, 2012.
e. Resolution No. 103-2012 of the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of
the City of South San Francisco approving a Loan Agreement in the amount of
$27,937.50 with the City of South San Francisco to allow the Successor Agency to
make a recognized obligation payment for debt service bonds issued by the former
Redevelopment Agency.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 12, 2012
MINUTES
10. Resolution No. 104-2012 approving the Annual Impact Fee and Sewer Capacity
Charge report.
11, Resolution No. 105-2012 authorizing the purchase of tools and equipment for the
new Sutphen Aerial Platform Quint in an amount not to exceed $206,486.21;
amending the City's 2012-13 Equipment Replacement Fund; and authorizing the
City Manager to enter into purchase agreements for the tools and equipment.
12. Resolution No. 106-2012 authorizing the acceptance of $5,000 in grant funding to
support Project Read's VITA program and amending the Library Department's
2012/2013 operating budget.
13. Acknowledgment of Proclamations Issued: Proclamation honoring retirement of
John Wong.
Motion— Councilman Garbarino/Second— Councilman Addiego: to approve Consent
Calendar Items Nos. 1-4, 7-9 and 13. Unanimously approved by voice vote.
Items 5 and 6: Councilman Addiego pointed out that the recent Public Safety Impact Fee
would apply to HCP, but that certain previous contracts included a negotiated number. He
questioned the methods used to derive these figures.
City Planner Kalkin advised that at the time the HCP contract was negotiated, the Public
Safety Impact Fee recommendation was in preparation. With respect to negotiated
numbers in other agreements, estimates were devised to yield the most fair and equitable
results based on all information available at the time.
Item 10: In response to inquiry from Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto, Director of Finance
Steele advised the funds to pay for the Oyster Point Improvements had already been
expended.
Item 11: Councilman Addiego questioned whether the Public Safety Impact Fee would
defray such costs as those associated with this item in the future.
Fire Chief White advised that in the future 25% of Public Safety Fee Impact Fee revenue
could be used for such purposes.
Councilman Addiego further requested clarification as to why the low bidder was not
selected for certain items.
Battalion Chief Magallanes advised some of the rejected lower bids had been for items
called by the same name but functionally and operationally different than what was needed
for installation on the truck and called for bid.
Finally, Councilman Addiego requested that future staff reports provide more clearly
discernable charts and graphs where necessary.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 12, 2012
MINUTES 12
Item 12. Inquiry regarding Item 12 was dropped and Council proceeded with action based
on the staff report and recommendation.
Motion— Councilman Garbarino/Second— Councilman Addiego: to approve Consent
Calendar Items Nos. 5-6 and 10-12. Unanimously approved by voice vote,
PUBLIC HEARING cunt.)
Public Hearing opened: 9:45 p.m.
Planning Consultant Knapp presented the staff report recommending that the Council adopt
resolutions ' to (1) approve the 2012 addendum to the 1998/99 and 2005 Supplemental
Environmental Impact Reports and 2000, 2006 and 2008 Addenda as the appropriate
environmental document for the Project; and (2) approve an amendment to the Terrabay
Specific and Precise Plan and TDM Program to modify conditions of approval A.21 and
A.22. These amendments were being requested by the Project Sponsor, Myers
Development, to release the obligation to construct a child care facility within the project,
and allow for a permitted retail use instead, which Mr. Myers believed would be a Fitness
Center/Gym. The modification would require Myers Development to pay the City's
Childcare Impact In Lieu Fee. The sponsor was requesting that this fee be payable upon
commencement date of construction of Phase 11 (the North Tower) of Centennial Towers.
The request was made in light of the financial pressures which Myers Development was
continuing to endure through the current economic downturn, which commenced in July
2008.
Mr. Myers addressed Council and provided a brief update on the progress being made with
the project. He believed the project would prove to be successful for the community in the
long run. Several floors of the first tower were presently being occupied by Success
Factors, or SAP. Despite standing empty for a number of years, Myers Development
stayed the course and believed additional tenants would be taking occupancy soon.
Although Myers Development had not compromised its efforts to find quality tenants, this
had a negative financial impact on the Company. In light of this situation, Mr. Myers
respectfully requested the modifications set forth above and in the application and
supplemental letter.
Mayor Gonzalez questioned whether Mr. Myers had a time in mind when construction of
the second tower might begin. --
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 12, 2012
MINUTES 113
Mr. Myers responded that while there was no specific time set, prospects were improving
that the tower would be constructed. He pointed out that all of the construction materials,
including structural steel and glazing systems, were purchased and sitting in various
warehouses awaiting commencement of the project.
Councilman Addiego questioned staff with respect to the logistics of the modified payment
schedule.
City Attorney Mattas advised the payment of the childcare impact fee would typically have
occurred upon the first building permit issuance. Accordingly, since the building had
already gone up, it would be payable for building one upon issuance of the next building.
Myers Development had requested that the entire child care fee be deferred to
commencement of construction of the second tower. He noted there was no guarantee the
second tower would be constructed. There was a further request that the total amount of
fees be dropped by $10,000, in consideration of the fact that the buildings' Performing Arts
Studio and Design Studio do not generate childcare impacts as contemplated by the
ordinance.
Mayor Pro Tenn Matsumoto pointed out that the City's Childcare Impact fund balance was
presently operating upwards of $2 million. She believed the health and fitness center
proposed at the site would be a benefit to the community. She further believed that the
success of this project would benefit the community.
City Attorney Mattas clarified certain modifications to the proposed resolution and noted
the sunset on the payment would be January 1, 2018.
Mr. Myers agreed to this sunset date.
Public Hearing closed: 101 :13 p.m.
Motion— Councilman Addiego/Second— Councilman Garbarino: to approve Resolutions
107-2012 and 108-2012. Unanimously approved by voice vote.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
16. 2011-2012 Year End Financial Results and Resolution No. 109-2012 approving
various budget closing actions.
Budget and Financial Manager Tribby provided a PowerPoint presentation recommending
that Council approve the resolution authorizing various budget actions allowing staff to
close the books on the Fiscal Year 2011-2012.
The Budget Overview showed an increase in regional travel and hotel rates, along with a
significant increase in hotel occupancy. In addition, the City's top three revenues had
spiked: Property tax was -up by 5%, sales tax was up by 27%, and Transient Occupancy
Tax (TOT) was up by 48%. Though revenues were up by $3.5 million compared to the
prior fiscal year, expenditures were also up by $1.5 million. Manager Tribby explained
that the shifting of the Redevelopment Agency expenses, key retirement payouts and
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 12, 2012
MINUTES 14
higher than estimated vacation/sick pays had caused the increase in expenses. The net
revenue prior to transfers for fiscal year 2011-2012 was a surplus of $3.2 million.
Manager Tribby next advised of larger changes to the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Budget. She
reported that the City received $1,049,000.00 in property tax revenue from the dissolution
of the RDA. However, because staff positions formerly charged to RDA were absorbed by
the General Fund, the net impact was a loss of $1,049,000.00. Sales taxes were up by
$491,000.00 due to increased use of service stations, increased sales of wholesale building
materials, and more business to business (office leasing and office equipment leasing).
TOT reports showed that room and occupancy rates were up by 16%. June 2012 alone
showed a revenue spike of $245,000.00 (27%) due to the US Open. SFO reported a 7,8%
increase for passenger arrivals for fiscal year 2011-2012. Also noted were the decreases in
revenue for both Building and Fire Divisions, down by $100,000.00. The impact was
caused by the economy's continuing recovery and pending collections on permit payments.
Manager Tribby reported on revenues from other agencies for projects; balances would be
carried over in the amount of $1.5 million to the next fiscal year pending spending for
projects by June 30.
The presentation also included Charges for Services spending. Manager Tribby advised
that Advanced Life Support (ALS) spending increased by $516,000.00, while Aflerschool
Program/High School Program spending increased by $896,000.00, reflective of an
increase in program use, Code Enforcement revenues were up by $253,000.00, along with
an increase in parking citation revenue. Manager Tribby also noted that various City
Departments were under budget, totaling to $1.5 million dollars that would carry over to
the next fiscal year. Vacation and Sick Leave payouts amounted to $532,000.00. RDA
cost shifts were $1.1 million for February and June 2012 alone, while the annual estimate
for the next Fiscal year was $2.7 million.
Transfers Out of the General Fund in Fiscal Year 2011-2012 included $ 196,000.00
towards the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), $550,000.00 toward Other Post
Employee Benefits (OPEB), and $275,000.00 toward the Storm Water Fund. Also noted
was a substantial surplus in the Storm Water Fund which would result in a decrease in
transfers for future years.
City Reserves showed a balance of $5.6 million in Undesignated Reserves, while a balance
of $17.0 million remained in Undiscretionary Reserves. Manager Tribby also reported on
the City's Other Funds, which included RDA and Successor Agency dissolutions, the City
Housing funds, and the RDA Obligation Retirement Fund (Non-Housing), The Non-
Housing RDA Obligation Retirement Fund showed a zero balance, while the Housing
RDA Obligation Retirement Fund portion showed a balance of $27.8 million. The City's
share of local taxing entities payouts was 16.75%, which was estimated at $4.7 million.
Mayor Gonzalez commented on local hotel rates improving drastically and showing
progress.
Mayor Pro Tern Matsumoto thanked Councilman Addiego and Councilman Garbarino for
serving on the City Budget Subcommittee. She then directed the following questions to
Budget and Financial Manager Tribby.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 12, 2012
MINUTES 15
Councilman Garbarino and Councilman Addiego thanked Manager Tribby and Finance
Director Steele for their work with the subcommittee and for the thoroughness of their
reporting.
Motion— Councilman Garbarino/Second— Mayor Pro Tern Matsumoto: to approve
Resolution 109-2012. Unanimously approved by voice vote.
17. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Agreement for Services with Inn
Vision/Shelter Network to implement the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) for South
San Francisco; and amending the operating budget for fiscal year 2012-13 to allow
expenditure of $125,000 from the foriner rental rehabilitation program.
Manager of Housing and Community Development Fragoso presented the staff report
recommending authorization of the agreement for services with INN Vision/Shelter
Network to implement the HOT for South San Francisco and amending the operating
budget accordingly. She described the program as one that would provide outreach to the
homeless and help to move the chronically homeless off the streets to become contributing
members of society. She explained that HUD funding for the program had been secured
and advised that Dr. Brian Greenburg of the HOT Program and Chris Cantor from Shelter
Network were present.
Councilmembers expressed opposition to the program due to the need for City provided
housing in the Downtown area and questioned whether a better location might have been
suggested.
Councilman Addiego noted that families and business owners in the Downtown area were
pushing back and expressing feelings of victimization by the homeless population in the
area.
Dr. Greenburg and Mr. Cantor reported on the successes of the program in the Downtown
area of San Mateo. They noted comments from business owners in the area that the
residents of the program were not problematic.
Mayor Pro Tem. Matsumoto commented that she was not in favor of congregating 30 such
units in the Downtown area.
Manager Fragoso noted that staff could look at alternative locations for the housing.
City Manager Nagel suggested that staff consider alternatives with the caution that if such
alternatives were not approved by the end of February, the HUD funding would be gone.
Mayor Gonzalez stated that Council presently was not prepared to take the recommended
action.
• i weitue LVAI
Mayor Gonzalez appointed Councilman Garbarino and Mayor Pro Tern Matsumoto to
serve on the CDBG subcommittee in order that subcommittee meetings might begin in
early January.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 12, 2012
MINUTES 16
Mayor Gonzalez announced he planned to start a program with a Doctor at Kaiser called
"A Healthy Walk with a Mayor and a Doctor." He hoped to bring people together to enjoy
a walk and improve health.
Councilman Addiego advised the community of a DUI Checkpoint in the City on the
upcoming Saturday evening.
ADJOURNMENT
Being no farther business, Mayor Gonzalez adjourned the meeting at 10:53 p.m. in honor
of Helen May Cain.
tted:
City Clem; City Af South'San Francisco
Approved:
Pedro Gonzalez
Mayor, City of South San Francisco
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 12, 2012
MINUTES 17