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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2015-03-11 @7:00 MINUTES o„,„SAN A, CITY COUNCIL -:r��o CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO REGULAR MEETING c911FOR��¢ MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING COUNCIL CHAMBERS 33 ARROYO DRIVE SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015 CALL TO ORDER TIME: 7:01 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilmembers, Gupta Matsumoto and Normandy, Vice Mayor Addiego and Mayor Garbarino. ABSENT: None. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Garbarino. AGENDA REVIEW None. PRESENTATIONS • Introduction of Youth Government Day Participants. (Sharon Ranals, Director of Parks and Recreation) Each of the student participants introduced themselves and detailed their activities and interests. Students thanked Local Government Officials, City staff and their teachers for providing the opportunity to participate in the Youth Government Day Program in South San Francisco. Student Participants were as follows: El Camino High School : Jonah Cabral Mayor Ashley Crociani Councilmember Joshua Villanueva City Manager Tyler Birch Assistant City Attorney Mary Diane Orillaza Director of Finance Everardo Valdez Police Chief Ivan Benitez Library Director Clarissa Morales Director of Parks & Recreation Kelby Gan Director of Information Technology South San Francisco High School: Jason Shiffer Vice Mayor Alfredo Olguin Councilmember Alexandra Warren Councilmember Amanda Taylor City Clerk Alejandra Gularte Assistant City Manager Alex Hernandez Fire Chief Amanda Lee Director of Public Works Silvana Padilla City Planner Daniela Jimenez-Torres Interim Manager of Human Resources • Recognition of Kishiwada Marathon Runner, Alyssa Mathers. (Rosa Acosta, City Manager's Office Management Analyst) Item not heard. • Presentation regarding proposed July 4th Half Marathon, 5K, and Kid's Events, presented by Ryan Coelho, USA Productions. (Police Department) Ryan Coelho of USA Productions began his presentation with some statistics about runners, as well as information about his organization's mission, accomplishments, and intent to facilitate a variety of events for July 4th Police Sergeant Plank followed up with policing logistics concerning route specifics and costs. City Manager Futrell clarified that no request for cost reduction had been made to the City. When such a request is presented, a Staff Report on the subject would be provided for Council review. • Certificate of Recognition to Jay Oca, 49ers Coach of the Week to be presented by Councilwoman Karyl Matsumoto. Councilwoman Matsumoto presented the Certificate of Recognition to Mr. Oca honoring his hard work and dedication. He thanked Council for the honor and accepted it on behalf of the coaching staff and football players at South San Francisco High School. • Certificate of Recognition Terrell Townsend - one of 27 athletes to sign with the San Jose State Football Team to be presented by Councilwoman Karyl Matsumoto. Councilwoman Karyl Matsumoto presented the Certificate of Recognition to South San Francisco High School student Terrell Townsend congratulating him on his accomplishments. Mr. Townsend expressed his appreciation for the acknowledgement of his hard work and thanked his mother and coaches for their support. • Proclamation honoring American Red Cross Month, presented to Jose Valle, Red Cross Leadership Council Member. Mr. Valle accepted the Proclamation on behalf of the Red Cross with gratitude and encouraged others to get involved in the Red Cross' efforts. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 11,2015 PAGE 2 MINUTES PUBLIC COMMENTS None. COUNCIL COMMENTS/REQUESTS Councilwoman Normandy thanked Sergeant Plank for his assistance with the Safe Harbor Community Collection Drive. She also expressed her appreciation to Lowe's for their contributions and willingness to provide jobs for those at Safe Harbor. Councilwoman Matsumoto mentioned that she had just returned from a trip to Washington D.C. for the SamTrans American Public Transportation Association's Legislative Day to lobby for funding, which is critical for infrastructure such as roads,bridges,highways, and heavy-duty transportation. Councilman Gupta expressed pride pertinent to recent comments by businessman Warren Buffet regarding South San Francisco's See's Candies. He then welcomed Johnson Labs, which just celebrated its Grand Opening in South San Francisco. Vice Mayor Addiego advised of the homecoming event at City Hall, which welcomed Private First Class Matthew Zander back to South San Francisco after his deployment in Afghanistan with the U.S. Army. He proceeded to thank the Patriot Guard Riders and expressed pride in the City's ability to acknowledge Private First Class Zander with gusto. He also shared that recent Council Study Sessions have sparked discussion about the Grand Avenue Library, specifically concerning renovations. He looked forward to modernization of the library and thanked his colleagues for supporting this direction. Mayor Garbarino shared in the Vice Mayor's excitement and he thanked Library Director Sommer for all of her hard work and continuous efforts. Mayor Garbarino requested that the meeting be adjourned in honor of Ed DeMatei, Carolyn Wibbly and Pia Menicucci-Sciandri. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. Motion approving the Minutes of meetings of February 25, 2015. 2. Motion confirming payment registers for March 11, 2015. 3. Motion to set a public hearing on April 8, 2015 to consider the appeal of the Planning Commission's denial of use permit and design review to allow the substitution of a legally established nonconforming use (auto repair) with another nonconforming use (service station convenience market) within an existing service station at 221 Airport Blvd in the Downtown Core (DC) Zoning District in accordance with SSFMC Chapter 20.570. (Billy Gross, Senior Planner). Motion—Vice Mayor Addiego/Second—Mayor Garbarino: to approve the Consent Calendar. Unanimously approved by roll call vote. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 11,2015 PAGE 3 MINUTES ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 4. Motion to waive reading and adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 11.24 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code to prohibit the intentional obstruction of pedestrian traffic upon sidewalks. (Steve Mattas, City Attorney). City Attorney Mattas presented the staff report. He began by explaining that this item was being presented as a second reading of an ordinance that Council introduced at the last City Council Meeting. He further elaborated on the specifics of the Ordinance and recommended that Council waive reading and adopt it. Councilman Gupta stated that he was not entirely comfortable with the way the ordinance was drafted. He clarified that he wanted to make sure its enforcement would be carried out fairly and appropriately. City Attorney Mattas assured him that staff would come up with proper guidelines and enforcement standards. He explained that warnings would be issued initially. He addressed Councilwoman Matsumoto's concern for consistent enforcement stating that the intent was to ensure pedestrian flow. Vice Mayor Addiego said that after consideration of the Mayor's comments the last time the item was discussed, he agreed that this ordinance would essentially function as a tool for law enforcement. Mayor Garbarino asked staff to bring the ordinance back for adoption at a later date, once possible enforcement guidelines were better outlined. PUBLIC HEARING 5. Zoning Text Amendment to SSFMC Chapter 20.360 to revise regulations and permitting for signs citywide in accordance with South San Francisco Municipal Code Chapter 20.550. (Billy Gross, Senior Planner). Public Hearing opened: 8:17 P.M. Senior Planner Gross presented the staff report. He explained that Planning Staff had identified existing sign regulations that needed small revisions to provide more flexibility for the type and size of signage allowed in the City. These revisions would include special circumstance signs, the allowable area for awning/wall signs and the use of sandwich board signs. Council discussed the challenges of sandwich board signs, specifically aesthetic concerns and spatial impediment. Planner Gross explained that staff would have to make some additional revisions given the planned Grand Avenue Downtown Improvement Projects. Councilwoman Matsumoto felt that sandwich boards on Grand Avenue would impede pedestrian traffic, act as an obstacle to car doors with the proposed parallel parking modifications and ultimately recommended that this be revisited after significant changes to the Downtown have been made. Councilwoman Normandy agreed. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 11,2015 PAGE 4 MINUTES In light of the signage discourse, Councilman Gupta requested parking garage signage improvements. He also stated that he appreciated Councilwomen Matsumoto's and Normandy's concerns with the sandwich board uses they brought up earlier in the discussion. He was uncomfortable setting a standard marketing strategy for local businesses. Vice Mayor Addiego stated similar concerns with regard to pedestrian impediment, but highlighted the business community's desire for the signs. He proceeded to ask clarifying questions pertinent to signage options. Mayor Garbarino followed mentioning visibility and code enforcement issues related to signage. Councilwoman Normandy inquired about safety and liability. The City Attorney explained that the business displaying the sign was legally responsible for any safety or liability issues it caused. Mayor Garbarino recommended omitting the sandwich board section and moving forward with the rest of staffs recommendations. City Attorney Mattas suggested that staff return with sandwich board standards and bring the complete item back for introduction at a future meeting. Council agreed. Public Hearing closed: 8:57 P.M. Motion—Councilwoman Matsumoto/Second—Vice Mayor Addiego: to continue the public hearing to a date certain of April 8, 2015. Unanimously approved by roll call vote. 6. City's Housing, Community, and Economic Development Needs for the 2015-2016 One Year Action Plan and provision of direction to the Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG") Subcommittee regarding funding priorities. (Alin Lancaster, Community Development Coordinator). Community Development Coordinator Alin Lancaster presented the staff report. She explained that the purpose of the Public Hearing was to hear non-profit testimony regarding need to assist in preparation of the annual CDBG Action Plan for funding. She further noted that Council would have the opportunity to raise questions to help navigate the allocation process. Coordinator Lancaster stated that the City has an overall budget of $684,626. The CDBG City Council Subcommittee's final funding recommendations and annual action plan would be brought before Council for final approval at the April 22, 2015 meeting. Public Hearing opened: 9:01 P.M. Diane Papan from John's Closet spoke of its efforts to provide needy school-aged children with clothing. The agency operated with no overhead and hoped to continue receiving funds for its labor of love. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 11,2015 PAGE 5 MINUTES Executive Director Shauna O'Shaunassy of Rebuilding Together Peninsula came before Council to thank members for their support in the past. She detailed changes in the community and requested partnership through funding. Melissa Lucan addressed Council to speak about the Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA) Program. She advised of the agency's services, shelter and statistics. She continued to explain how South San Francisco benefits from its assistance. Vice Mayor Addiego made mention of the daily police reports that often reflect CORA's services and assistance to domestic violence victims. Associate Director Laura Fanucchi of HIP Housing thanked Council for its continued support. She provided statistics related to its efficacy in South San Francisco and spoke briefly of current caseloads. She hoped to continue assisting members of the local community. Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County Attorney David Carducci thanked Council for its support through CDBG funds. He detailed different levels of service provided to families who need housing-related legal assistance. Marta Marheshari from the Center of Independence for People with Disabilities came to Council explaining that accessible, affordable housing is paramount for many people in the community. She specifically sought support for the Home Modification Program, Project Sentinel Representative Anne Marquart spoke of counseling efforts for home owners and managers of rental properties who need assistance with foreclosures and housing discrimination. Council discussed the unfortunate circumstance of having limited CDBG funding as compared against the number of qualified community partners seeking assistance. Councilwoman Normandy queried the CDBG funding allocations that were made last year to Grand Avenue Pedestrian Improvements. Coordinator Lancaster explained that contracts for the first phase of the project were in place. Councilwoman Matsumoto explained that she was troubled by the crosswalk expenditure, and that the costs were not anticipated to be as great. City Manager Futrell posed the option of unwinding this funding decision. Coordinator Lancaster stated she would look into the logistics. Public Hearing closed: 9:33 P.M. ITEMS FROM COUNCIL—COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 7. Motion to establish the Standing Committee of the City Council as Liaison with the Harbor District. The Committee was established and Vice Mayor Addiego and Councilwoman Normandy agreed to be the members. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING PAGE MARCH 11,2015 5 MINUTES Councilwoman Matsumoto requested a quarterly staff report on all City projects for Council's review. Councilman Gupta advised that sometime in May or June ABAG would have a workshop for San Mateo County regarding the Bay Area Plan. Councilwoman Normandy announced an upcoming play happening at South San Francisco High School. She also spoke of the impact the Safe Harbor Community Drive had made. She further mentioned the status of developing a small park, or"tot lot," for the Sunshine Gardens area. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, Mayor Garbarino adjourned the meeting at 9:34 P.M. in honor of Ed DeMatei, Carolyn Wibbly and Pia Menicucci-Sciandri. Submitted b� Ap . ed by AA "‘„, . .41 S _ L� s � pity erk Ri Gar,arino, Mayor City o Safi Fran isco City of South San Francisco MARCH 11,2015 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING PAGE 5 MINUTES