HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 1995-04-26 Mayor Robert Yee
Council:
Jack Drago
Joseph A. Fernekes
.... John R. Penna
Roberta Cerri Teglia
~!NUI!~
City Council
Municipal Services Building
Community Room
April 26, 1995
~PECIAL MEETING
CITY COUNCIL
OF THE
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
APRIL 26, 1995
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Section 54956 of the Government Code of the State of California, that.
the City Council of the City of South San Francisco will hold a Special Meeting on Wednesday, the 26th day of April
1995, at 7:10 p.m. in the Municipal Services Building, Community Room, 33 Arroyo Drive, South San Francisco,
California.
Purpose of the meeting:
Closed Session: pursuant to GC 54957.6, to meet with its designated representatives - City Manager, Assistant
City Manager, Director of Personnel and Labor Negotiator on labor matters and the employee organizations are:
Police and Fire.
Dated:
March 3, 1995
City Clerk
City of South San Francisco
AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER: (Cassette No. 1)
ROLL CALL:
Closed Session: pursuant to GC 54957.6, to meet with its
designated representatives - City Manager, Assistant City
Manager, Director of Personnel and Labor Negotiator on
labor matters and the employee organizations are: Police
~d Fire.
ouncilman Penna Arrived at the Meeting:
_A_C.C I ! O N TAKEN
7:11 p.m. Mayor Yee presiding.
Council Present: Drago, Fernekes, Teglia and Yee.
Council Absent: Penna.
Council adjourned to a Closed Session at 7:11 p.m.
to discuss the noticed item.
Councilman Penna arrived at the meeting at 7:20
p.m.
4/26/95
Page 1
RECALL TO ORDER:
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Yee recalled the meeting to order at 7:39
p.m., all Council was present, no action was taken
and direction was given.
M/S Teglia/Drago - To adjourn the meeting.
Carried by unanimous voice vote.
Time of adjournment was 7:40 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
APPROVED.
Barbara A. Battaya, City Clerk ~/
City of South San Francisco
Robert Yee, Mayor
City of South San Francisco
The entries of this Council meeting show the action taken by the City Council td dispose of an item. Oral communica-
tions, arguments and comments are recorded on tape. The tape and documents related to the items are on file in the
Office of the City Clerk and are available for inspection, review and copying.
4/26/95
Page 2
Mayor Robert Yee
Council:
Jack Drago
Joseph A. Fernekes
~;ohn R. Penna
Roberta Cerri Teglia
MINUTES
City Council
Municipal Services Building
Community Room
April 26, 1995
CALL TO ORDER:
ROLL CALL:
AGENDA
(Cassette No. 1)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
INVOCATION:
_ RESENTATIONS
Proclamation - Older Americans Month - Dag Alholm
5~ q7
AGENDA REVIEW
City Manager Wilson Requested:
o Continue Item 7 as the applicant is out of town.
- Continue Item No. 8.
- Continue Item No. 13 to another meeting.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
ACTION TAKEN
7:42 p.m. Mayor Yee presiding.
Council Present:
Council Absent:
Drago, Fernekes, Penna; Teglia
and Yee.
None.
The Pledge was recited.
Seminarian Thuan Hoang, St. Veronica's Catholic
Church, gave the invocation.
Councilwoman Teglia asked for a moment of silence
for deceased former City Library worker Frances
Chambers who died Friday.
PRESENTATIONS
Vice Mayor Drago read the Proclamation aloud and
gave it to Mr. Dag Alholm from the Commission on
Aging.
AGENDA REVIEW
So ordered.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Ms. Patricia Burke, 1700 El Camino Real, ex-
pressed concern over the BART environmental issue
of human health and wants a study done to deter-
mine factors of construction on health. She ques-
tioned why the Airline was not contributing to
BART for the tunneling through this City.
Councilwoman Teglia stated the Airport is
4/26/95
Page 1
AGENDA ACTION TAKEN
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMUNITY FORUM
ONSENT CALENDAR
t. Motion to approve Minutes of the Special Meeting of
3/29/95 and Special Meeting of 4/12/95.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
precluded from spending funds outside of the Air-
port.
Mr. Harry Farmer, President of the Sister City
Committee, invited everyone to the fund raiser at the
Westborough Park Facility on Saturday, 6:30 p.m.,
with Mexican entertainment and a dinner. He stated
the proceeds will go to the orphanage in the City's
Sister City in Atotonilco, Mexico.
Ms. Joan Gil, Treasure Island Trailer Court, urged
Council to send a representative to the SamTrans
meeting. She stated she lived in Colma during
BART construction, had fought BART and related
how horrible was the construction dust to the resi-
dents.
COMMUNITY FORUM
Councilman Fernekes related: a meeting with BART
and another with SamTrans and asked that a
Councilperson be present; Council is supporting
Alternate 6 and he wants to attend and make a pre-
sentation; he wants a report on the Westborough
traffic study; wants a study of the greater downtown
area and have it include alleys; and he thanked the
Director of the Leo J. Ryan Center for his recent
tour.
Mayor Yee stated the WQCP Subcommittee is nego-
tiating with the consultant before expanding the
plant.
Councilwoman Teglia related: the School District
could not get the JPA together in time for tonight's
meeting; had a smooth meeting with School District
Liaison Subcommittee members Von Schell and
Latham and some problems were resolved with the
new members; the District will entertain a proposal
from Council to purchase the Spruce Gym.
Mayor Yee announced there will be a candlelight
vigil at Alta Loma School tomorrow at 8:00 p.m. in
memory of the lives lost in Oklahoma.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion
by Councilman Drago.
4/26/95
Page 2
AGENDA ACTION TAKEN
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Motion to confirm expense claims of 4/26/95.
Resolution authorizing the design and construction of
the Linden Avenue/Baden Avenue Traffic Signal
Upgrade at the intersections of Linden and Baden
Avenues. ~'t9 ~t9
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO OF
INTENT TO PROVIDE MATCHING FUNDS FOR
THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL PROJECT AT LINDEN
AND BADEN AVENUES
Motion to accept the repair of Glulam Beams at Fire
Station No. 4 Project as complete in accordance with
the plans and specifications. .5't9 ~'~
Resolutions approving amendments to the operating
budget and to the capital improvement budget. D'-/
A RESOLUTION APPROVING BUDGET
AMENDMENT 95-8 TO THE 1994-1995 OPERAT-
ING BUDGET
A RESOLUTION APPROVING BUDGET
AMENDMENT CIP 95-6 TO THE 1994-1995 CAP-
ITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET
Resolution establishing the Enterprise Journal and San
Mateo Times as the newspapers of general circulation
for the City of South San Francisco.
A RESOLUTION IDENTIFYING THE SAN
MATEO TIMES, THE ENTERPRISE JOURNAL
AND THE SAN FRANCISCO INDEPENDENT AS
NEWSPAPERS AUTHORIZED TO PUBLISH OFFI-
CIAL NOTICES OF THE CITY OF SOUTH SAN
FRANCISCO
Resolution transferring excess fund balances from the
Gellert Boulevard Extension District to the Gellert
Boulevard Maintenance Fund.
A RESOLUTION DETERMINING SURPLUS AND
ORDERING DISPOSITION THEREOF GELLERT
BOULEVARD EXTENSION ASSESSMENT DIS-
TRICT
CONSENT CALENDAR
Approved in the amount of $1,301,143.82.
RESOLUTION NO. 23-95
Approved.
RESOLUTION NO. 24-95
RESOLUTION NO. 25-95
Removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion
by Councilmembers Drago and Penna.
Removed from the Consent Calendar under Agenda
Review.
4/26/95
Page 3
AGENDA' ACTION TAKEN ~,,~.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Resolution authorizing execution of an agreement
between the City of South San Francisco and the
South San Francisco Unified School District.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF
AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO AND THE SOUTH
SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
1. Motion to approve Minutes of the Special Meeting of
3/29/95 and Special Meeting of 4/12/95.
Resolution establishing the Enterprise Journal and San
Marco Times as the newspapers of general circulation
for the City of South San Francisco. ,~O ~ 2..
A RESOLUTION IDENTIFYING THE SAN
MATEO TIMES, THE ENTERPRISE JOURNAL
AND THE SAN FRANCISCO INDEPENDENT AS
NEWSPAPERS AUTHORIZED TO PUBLISH OFFI-
CIAL NOTICES OF THE CITY OF SOUTH SAN
FRANCISCO
CONSENT CALENDAR
Removed from the Consent Calendar under Agenda
Review.
M/S Drago/Teglia - To approve the Consent Calen-
dar with the exception of Items 1, 6, 7 and 8.
Carried by unanimous voice vote.
M/S Fernekes/Teglia - To approve the Minutes of
the Special Meeting of 3/29/95 and Special Meeting
of 4/12/95.
Carried by majority voice vote with the exception of
the Minutes of the Special Meeting of 4/12/95
wherein Councilman Drago abstained due to his
absence from the meeting.
Councilman Penna asked why the San Francisco
Independent was excluded when he felt more people
read it than the Enterprise Journal and the Times.
City Attorney Mattas stated that newspaper could be
added to the resolution.
Councilwoman Teglia stated she did not agree, be-
cause most neighborhoods do not get both news-
papers and the advertising should be consistent as
this has worked well for the City.
Councilman Drago questioned if that meant the City
could only use the two papers.
City Clerk Battaya stated she asked the City Attor-
ney a year ago to write this resolution to include the
San Mateo Times as the newspaper of general circu-
lation because it is published six days a week, which
will allow her to meet her legal publishing dead-
lines. When she learned that the Enterprise Journal
will only be published on Sunday she again asked
that this resolution be written and planned to only
use the San Mateo Times to meet her deadlines after
the resolution was adopted.
4/26/95
Page 4
AQENDA A~!!Q~ !AKEN ~
Resolution - Continued.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public Hearing - Appeal of Planning Commission
decision on PUD-94-39 for a proposed bedroom
addition to 6 Viewmont Terrace by Mr. and Mrs.
Tony Velazco, appeal made by Mr. Joshua Wong;
Conduct Public Hearing; Motion to deny the Appeal
and uphold the decision of the Planning Commission.
Councilman Penna wants to know the circulation of
the San Francisco Independent.
Councilwoman Teglia did not understand why
Councilman Penna was pushing for the San Fran-
cisco Independent when it should be one newspaper
of general circulation.
M/S Drago/Penna - To adopt the Resolution and add
the San Francisco Independent to the resolution.
RESOLUTION NO. 26-95
Councilwoman Teglia stated the City Clerk can use
any of the newspapers she wants.
Carried by unanimous voice vote.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Mayor Yee opened the Public Hearing.
Chief Planner Solomon stated that the thrust of the
appeal is that the massive addition will block neigh-
bors' views of the valley floor and reduce property
values. He proceeded to give background informa-
tion on the appeal: size of the addition; visual
impacts to the neighborhood; Commission require-
ment for a written approval from the Home Owner
Association; there was a home owners vote on
2/3/95 in favor and a 3/16/95 vote against the addi-
tion; the Planning Commission vote was not
based on the home owners votes, but on the merits
of the project; staff feels the new addition is com-
patible with the surrounding homes and cited the
reasons; etc.
Councilwoman Teglia noted a petition, dated 3/2/95,
that had three pages of homeowners signatures and,
in the not straight forward meeting, there were plans
and specs and an informal vote taken that was not
comprehensive.
Discussion followed: the appeal was on another set
of plans, not in the packet - where the owners are
trying to meet the conditions of approval; etc.
Mr. Joshua Wong stated he got a copy of the new
plan on Saturday and it was not acceptable.
Councilman Penna questioned why Mr. Wong only
4/26/95
Page 5
AGENDA ACTION TAKEN
9. Public Hearing - Continued.
s<ECESS:
RECALL TO ORDER:
PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. Public Hearing - Continued.
4/26/95
Page 6
received it on Saturday.
Council adjourned to a recess at 8:32 p.m.
Mayor Yee recalled the meeting to order at 8:45
p.m.
Councilwoman Teglia showed ribbons from Cable
TV in memorial of the Oklahoma disaster and
passed them out to Council.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Mr. Joshua Wong passed out photos of the addition
to Council. He had obtained the signatures of ten
homeowners out of seventeen and stated most were
present tonight. He urged the Council to reverse the
decision of the Planning Commission for the bed-
room addition by Mr. and Mrs. Velazco on PUD-
94-39. The home owners feel that the applicant did
not speak openly with the home owners in their
community.
He related: the first public hearing was on 1/29/95
before the Planning Commission; Mr. Velazco is
President of the Home Owners Assoc.; a meeting
was called for the proposed addition and a site plan
was submitted to the Planning Department on
11/22/94; three home owners were present at the
first public hearing and saw the design; the
applicant represented certain facts and said the addi-
tion was supported by a majority of the home own-
ers; this was challenged by the home owners and the
Planning Commission asked him to present a written
letter of support from the home owners; the pro-
cedure for obtaining the approvals by the Board of
Directors, he felt, was biased and misguided; a
meeting was called by the Association 1/28/95 in the
applicant's residence; serious concerns were raised
at the meeting on the proposed addition and no votes
were taken; he felt this project would have a nega-
tive impact on his community and lower the value
of homes; and urged the Council to reverse the
decision of the Planning Commission.
Discussion followed: the addition will be on the
south side of the house or the down hill side; does
the Association have regulations for additions; there
is a requirement for design review; if a majority of
the home owners oppose the project, can the appli-
AGENDA ACTION TAKEN '~-~
.-..PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. Public Hearing - Continued.
4/26/95
Page 7
PUBLIC HEARINGS
cant still build; City Attorney must review the
DCC&Rs before he can answer that question; if the
first home owners vote passed, why was a second
vote taken; because 50% of the homeowners were
not there during the first vote and the ballot was
passed out at the meeting; the second vote was
called because the home owners did not know what
the addition looked like and there was a presentation
and the second vote was opposed; the project was
built six years ago; Councilwoman Teglia wants it to
go back to the Planning Commission, because the
project and open space were well thought out six
years ago and she wanted the Commission to rethink
their decision on this addition and not destroy the
existing project; Mayor Yee agreed, because while
he was a staff person he had worked with Mr.
Domingues, the Developer, because this was a dif-
ficult project; six years ago there had been concerns
about the views; Mayor Yee had a view when he
bought his house and now a few years later he has
half a view; Councilman Drago found it hard to
believe that the Commission ignored the second
home owners vote; he wanted this sent back to the
Commission and another vote taken by the home
owners; City Attorney says the DCC&Rs say the
property is limited to residential use and this addi-
tion is consistent, so they will not prevent this addi-
tion or call for a vote of the home owners; Council-
woman Teglia was concerned for she felt this was
the way to cause a blight in a neighborhood; etc.
Mr. Dale Huffstetter, 130 Deodar Dr., stated he
represented Mr. Tony Velazco and is for the pro-
ject.
Ms. Angela Chan, 5 Viewmont Terrace, stated she
is a resident and Boardmember and refutted some of
Joshua Wong's testimony: 10/6/94 they had the
election for President of the Association and the
addition blueprint was presented; after that Mr.
Velazco went to the City and was told to have the
home owners cast a ballot and obtain a vote on the
addition; in December they had a party and no one
was concerned about the addition; there was a meet-
ing and Mr. Wong asked questions; there was not a
ballot, but the next day a ballot was passed out
about the addition; Mr. Wong is saying the ballot
was misleading, yet people signed the ballot; in
January when they decided they could go up and
AQ~NDA AC!!QN TAKEN
PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. Public Hearing - Continued.
4/26/95
Page 8
PUBLIC HEARINGS
appeal, then the second ballot was signed, but it did
not go through the President or Vice President; in
looking at the plan she did not feel it was that big;
etc.
Ms. Marilu B. Ramirez, 4 Viewmont Terrace, stated
the Board was not aware of the second vote before
the fact, and felt the bylaws required certain notifi-
cation of a vote. She did not vote on the second
vote because she questioned the legitimacy of that
vote.
Mr. Eric Ho, 21 Viewmont Terrace, stated he was
not friends with anyone concerned in the matter and
felt he could be unbiased. He related: he had voted
for the original project of a bedroom for Mr.
Velazco's son, because it would not impact his
view; after putting himself in the position of Mr.
Wong he was now opposed to the addition because it
gave a limited view; he had given the home to his
parents, but had taken part in the balloting; etc.
Mr. Anthony San Jose, 7 Viewmont Terrace, stated
his house is directly across from number 5 and his
only view between the houses will be blocked, other
than from the master bedroom. He was present for
the first vote when Mr. Velazco brought up the
addition. He asked to see the elevations and was
told the architect was working on it. He related: at
the January meeting he was present; ten homeown-
ers showed up; the memo went out the next day by
the Board of Directors; when he saw the blueprints
he objected because it was a massive addition and
would create a lot of restrictions on the neighbor-
hood; the second ballot was like a petition; etc.
City Attorney Mattas felt the Council's focus should
be on the architectural planning and not necessarily
the inner workings of the Board of Directors. So,
other than understanding a split of opinion, the
process of the split is not really important.
Mr. Edward R. San Jose, 11 Viewmont Terrace,
stated he was here to oppose the addition of number
6 Viewmont Terrace. He had paid for the view, it
was already included in the price of the house, now
they are going to put an addition on the site to dis-
turb the community while he has a view and his
neighbors are denied their view. He asked the
AGENDA ACT!O_N TA_KE_N ~ 7
PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. Public Hearing - Continued.
4/26/95
Page 9
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Council to suspend the project.
Mr. Roger Chin, 17 Viewmont Terrace, stated he
was opposed to the addition and cited his reasons:
the street, Viewmont Terrace, stands for the view
and that is why he bought the home; when he talked
to the real estate people they had an aerial diagram
and everyone bought with the view; if the addition is
allowed then the homes around it will lose their
value; if one sells his home there will be a 3% loss;
he has lived in his home since it was built and there
are a lot of tourist buses with people from out of the
Country who they show our views which is impor-
tant to the City; someone said he saw a blueprint on
10/16/94, however, it was a drawing; there are 13
home owners in the audience and why don't they all
get together and state their opinions and be allowed
to resolve the issue; he is opposed to this addition.
Mr. Rey Tancinco, 10 Viewmont Terrace, stated he
bought his house three weeks ago and found out
about this three days ago. He stated he has the
biggest lot and the most room for improvements, but
does not want to see a precedence established to
build additions that will decrease parking and create
more conflicts. A view costs another $50,000 for a
home.
He stated the second issue is technical, he under-
stood the Commission saying the addition would be
level with the master bedroom but, based on the
plans, it shows stairs going from the master bed-
room. So, it does not comply with the
Commission's condition. He suggested letting the
home owners decide and Council approve the deci-
sion of the majority, because they have to live with
this.
Discussion followed: one must go through the
master bedroom to get to the addition; there is an
exterior exit off the rear deck and stairs in the build-
ing; one has to go through the master bedroom be-
cause the applicant has not drawn the plans as di-
rected by the Commission, where the addition would
be at the same level as the master bedroom; etc.
Ms. Janie Prada, 3 Viewmont Terrace, stated she
voted for the addition on each vote.
AGENDA ACT!QN TAKEN
PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. Public Hearing - Continued.
4/26/95
Page 10
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Mr. Dale Huffstetter stated he represents Mr. Tony
Velazco, is a partner in the construction company
and is supervising this project. He stated he and
Mr. Frank Pendergas are for the design and have
tried to compensate to meet the Commission's
requirements and the neighborhood's. He had a
computer enhanced photograph of the site from
street level looking across the valley and refutted
testimony of loss of views.
Discussion followed: the proposed addition is at the
top of the windows, so if you draw a line at the top
then that is part of the view you are not going to
see; if the applicant builds the bedroom in back then
he cannot get to their huge deck; the deck is the
backyard; Mr. Velazco had the house up for sale on
two occasions; etc.
Mayor Yee closed the Public Hearing.
Councilwoman Teglia related: she had sympathy
with people buying property and improving it, how-
ever, individual rights stop when neighbors come in
and it is at their cost; a certain density has to be
maintained; a view is not guaranteed, but is an
economic factor and a legitimate concern; concerned
about the Planning Commission that has interjected
into a home owners business; important that input is
given at public hearings; has a problem with this
addition for it will cause a blight and, at the proper
time, will make a motion to uphold the appeal.
Councilman Fernekes related: he would be appeal-
ing if it was his view that was impeded; he bought
his house for its view; this addition just cropped up
and he will second a motion to not grant this project
to continue.
Councilman Penna related: neighborhood has a
right to object, but they knew about the addition at
Christmas; the integrity of the neighborhood is not
threatened; the addition could have a diminished
roof line; he sees no basis to deny the project and
wonders if it would be appropriate to send it back to
the Commission to lower the roof level.
Vice Mayor Drago stated home owners associations
are the checks and balances and thinks this is a lack
A~ENDA A~TION TAKEN
PUBLIC HEARINGS
). Public Hearing - Continued.
RECESS:
RECALL TO ORDER:
10.
Public Hearing - Proposed Statement of Objectives
and projected use of Community Development Block
Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 1995-96; Conduct Public
Hearing; resolution adopting Final Statement of Ob-
jectives and authorizing execution of all documents
necessary to secure and award CDBG funds. ~O~a]
A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZ-
ING THE SUBMITTAL OF THE STATEMENT OF
OBJECTIVES AND PROJECTED USE OF COM-
MUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1995-96 AND AU-
THORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXE-
CUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO SE-
CURE AN AWARD OF COMMUNITY DEVEL-
OPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS FOR THE
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
PUBLIC HEARINGS
of communication; they have every right to maintain
quality of life; it is unfortunate for the owners, yet
these people have to live there.
M/S Teglia/Fernekes - To uphold th~ appeal and
direct staff to develop findings.
Carried by majority roll call vote, Councilman
Penna voted no.
Council adjourned to a recess at 10:25 p.m.
Mayor Yee recalled the meeting to order at 10:32
p.m., all Council was present.
Mayor Yee opened the Public Hearing.
CDBG Coordinator Fragoso gave the staff report.
Mr. Victor Feudale, Historical Society requested
$5,000 for the restoration of a historic house
recently inherited by the Society. He explained that
it will cost a great deal more than $5,000 for the
needed improvements and asked if they could make
application under a different plan. He felt the
Schwartz home is significant to the City as it was
the first hospital between San Francisco and San
Mateo and the Society wants to make it a museum.
He asked if the Society has to match the $5,000
grant.
City Manager Wilson stated he would work with the
Society on the project and the $5,000 match is like
a community match with organizations or individu-
als.
Councilwoman Teglia stated the Society would
receive $5,000 from CDBG funds, but they cannot
spend it until they have the matching $5,000.
Discussion followed: there is $15,000 that
Council can use; under rehab activity there is a
100% cap; capital improvements do not have a
spending limit; there are more fund requests than
available dollars, however, staff allowed $15,000 for
discriminatory action; there was a request in this
regard from the Poplar Center; the ADA funds had
been broken out; etc.
4/26/95
Page 11
AGENDA ACTIQN TAKEN
PUBLIC HEARINGS
0. Public Hearing - Continued. (Cassette No. 2)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
The following non-profit organizations made their
appeal for CDBG funds to the Council: Mr.
Cameron Bohren, Center for Independence of the
Disabled; Ms. Diane Papan, John's Closet; Marcy
Cisneros, Sot Juana Ines Services for Abused
Women; Victor Marquez and Karen Carrere, Atty.,
La Roza Centro Legal; etc.
Discussion followed: legal services provided by
La Roza Centro Legal to low income tenants, the
kind of situations inspected, what was found and the
specific actions taken; found rats, cockroaches,
debris in halls after constantly asking a landlord to
fix an apartment; the agency steps in and negotiates
for the tenant and writes letters; some of the land-
lords are slum lords; the agency keeps a tally of
landlords who do not make repairs; Councilman
Penna wanted to know if these violations were re-
ported to the Code Enforcement Office; the agency
follows the Civil Code and after a reasonable time if
repairs are not made they are turned in to the Health
Department; Councilman Penna was more interested
in the numbers and if they are repeat offenders and
Code Enforcement is aware of who they are; the
agency has five offices in San Mateo County with
attorneys available and has been in operation for
four years; Legal Aide Society also has attorneys
available; Councilman Penna never planned to vote
for continued funding and felt this was a duplication
of services; services the agency provides are not
felt to be duplications of other agencies services;
what the agency does with a tenant being evicted;
get them welfare or social services assistance to get
a permanent income; the agency is looking to get
into senior services; etc.
Mr. Victor Marquez took umbrage to the grave
remarks made by Councilman Penna at the 3/29/95
meeting that impacted not only some of the clients
his agency has serviced in the City, but other people
in the community. He looked through the minutes
and felt they were greatly edited and condensed. He
had numerous telephone calls and was told that the
comments were that they served illegal immigrants,
and if the City could prevent services to this catego-
ry of people. There were comments against his
agency because they don't check a person's legal
status, because Councilman Penna is saying he does
not want his tax dollars going to undocumented
4/26/95
Page 12
PUBLIC HEARINGS
0. Public Hearing - Continued.
4/26/95
Page 13
PUBLIC HEARINGS
people. He felt that with the diversity that exists in
this City, the Councilman's comments were highly
inappropriate, as much of the community is based
on immigrants who have gone through a great deal,
such as the Japanese and now the Latino. He felt
Councilman Penna's comments were unconscionable
and misguided.
He felt that if some of these comments were imple-
mented the City would be breaking Federal law
because of the Federal requirement for distribution
of CDBG funds. He stated that many people who
told him of the comments did not speak at the meet-
ing for a fear of their funds being jeopardized and '
requested a public apology to the community. He
has a copy of a letter to Mayor Yee with a carbon
copy to the Council from Alvira Rios setting out the
comments and asking for a public apology. As of
tonight she has not received an apology.
He stated they are in the business of providing
services, not challenging or suing the City and their
doors are open to anyone.
Councilman Penna appreciated these comments
being brought to the forefront and assumed Mr.
Marquez is an attorney. He asked if Mr. Marquez
had listened to the tape recording of the meeting.
Mr. Marques stated he did not realize the meeting
was taped.
Councilman Penna stated he was concerned about
the contents of the letter and had the City Clerk
make him a copy of the tape and there was no allu-
sion to illegal immigrants. He also asked the City
Attorney to review the tape.
City Attorney Mattas stated he also listened to the
tape and did not remember a reference to Proposi-
tion 187. There were comments about undocument-
ed aliens, but after reviewing the tape it was not
discriminatory.
Councilman Penna stated his comments had to do
with requesting a residency requirement for anyone
getting funds from CDBG and had prefaced his
remarks with being ignorant of the process. He
believed it was his right to ask questions and no one
~ENDA ~ION TAKEN
PUBLIC HEARINGS
0. Public Hearing - Continued.
4/26/95
Page 14
PUBLIC HEARINGS
questioned him that night. He believed this should
be a way that the public of S.S.F. can be identified
first, and the reason we receive funds is to make
sure residents of the community receive the funds.
He has heard over the years that people have gone
to the various agencies and have not been able to
obtain funds. When he heard that evening there was
going to be an increase in applicants, his question
was are we serving our community or San Francis-
co. That was the basis of his comments and he has
the right to ask the questions.
He stated the idea of residency has to do with what
any school district requires before any child is ad-
mired to school, you have to demonstrate and show
that you have a deed to a house, a utility bill, or a
lease for a rental. He felt the City could have resi-
dency requirements for our community, so we know
people of our community are being served. He
asked the City Attorney if there was a problem with
his request.
City Attorney Mattas stated Proposition 187 has
obviously been put on a freeze with preliminary
injunction and the only way you could do that is if
the measure passed.
Discussion followed: Mr. Marquez was talking
about the comment of whether these people were
U.S. citizens; a woman had called the City Clerk
about obtaining a transcript of the meeting; the City
Clerk told her she did not do verbatim transcripts,
but would make a copy of the tape for her to take to
a Court Reporter for a transcript or she could wait
until the minutes were completed and obtain a copy;
the minutes being discussed were minutes and not a
transcript; Councilman Penna said he voted against
Proposition 187 because he did not believe in a law
that says you have to have ID cards, so that is the
last thing he would bring out in his comments; he
said that as an elected official he has a right to
question how funds are to be used, otherwise why
allocate funds; Councilwoman Teglia appreciates the
activities of this agency and feels the agency should
serve all the community not just the Latino commu-
nity; she explained that she is the daughter of immi-
grants, many asians are gravitating to the Country
and with the children of the immigrants it is becom-
A~ENDA A~I!Q~ TAKEN
PUBLIC HEARINGS
0. Public Hearing - Continued.
11. Public Hearing - San Mateo County Consolidated
Housing and Community Development Plan; Conduct
Public Hearing; resolution adopting the City's Com-
munity Needs Assessment Component of the Consoli-
dated Plan and authorize execution of all required
documents for submittal to the Department of Hous-
ing and Urban Development via San Mateo County.
lNG SUBMITTAL OF THE 1994-95 CONSOLI-
DATED HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVEL-
OPMENT PLAN TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ing a repetitive history, as well as with the hispan-
ics; she has a problem with the undocumented, and
it is proper to say illegal; our system is based on
law and she did not understand how the law can be
applied to one and not the other; so, she has a prob-
lem on her tax dollars being spent on illegal aliens;
she does not have a problem with the agency serving
Latinos, but was bothered with the undocumented
served; the agency is concerned because the undocu-
mented are working and paying taxes and the Feder-
al Government is paying into the local coffers from
that tax; once the agency finds out that the person is
undocumented they are turned out and, by the nature
of the services, there is nothing the agency can do;
San Francisco froze welfare benefits so people don't
come in and rob the community; etc.
Mayor Yee closed the Public Hearing.
Discussion followed: North Peninsula Family Alter-
natives is funded through the Police Department; the
$8,000 request is to serve elementary age children;
give La Raza Centro Legal $4,700 rather than
$2,500; give Sitike, Recovery Program $5,000
rather than $7,200; give Neighborhood Services
Center - HouseHelpers Program $30,000 rather
than $40,000; include funding of $21,948 for the
Food Bank Facility Rahab; include funding of
$3,000 for the Poplar Center Rehab.
M/S Teglia/Drago - To adopt the Resolution with
the funding changes cited above.
RESOLUTION NO. 27-95
Carried by unanimous voice vote.
Mayor Yee opened the Public Hearing.
CDBG Coordinator Fragoso gave a brief staff re-
port.
M/S Penna/Fernekes - To adopt the Resolution.
RESOLUTION NO. 28-95
Discussion followed: apartment building owners
that don't put anything back into their building on
subsidized programs should not get these funds;
4/26/95
Page 15
A~ENDA A~TION TAKEN
PUBLIC HEARING
1. Public Hearing - Continued.
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
12. Motion to authorize the issuance of applications for
the Seismic Retrofit Loan Program for Downtown
Commercial Buildings. .5'O
Councilman Penna Returned the Podium.
13.
Rental vehicle storage business license draft ordinance
public meeting - continued from the 4/12/95 meeting.
.ff277
ITEMS FROM COUNCIL
14. Status report on appointments made and appointment.
to the Parks and Recreation Commission. ~00
PUBLIC HEARINGS
money should not be given for normal repairs.
Carried by unanimous voice vote.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
Councilman Penna, due to a conflict of interest,
stepped down from the podium at 12:23 a.m., and
did not take part in the discussion nor vote on the
item.
CDBG Coordinator Fragoso related: nine out of ten
URM building owners will apply for applications;
the interest rate is between 3-8% with a 15 year
duration; staff is requesting a cash flow statement on
the building showing the owner's ability to pay the
loan.
Discussion followed: City Manager's Office will
decide the interest rate; why 8 % when a person can
go to a bank for that interest.
Consensus of Council - To authorize a 4% interest
rate.
M/S Drago/Fernekes - To authorize the issuance of
applications for the Seismic Retrofit Loan Program
for Downtown Commercial Buildings at 4%.
Carried by majority voice vote, Councilman Penna
did not take part in the discussion nor vote on the
item.
Councilman Penna returned to the podium at 12:30
a.m.
M/S Teglia/Fernekes - To continue the item to the
5/12/95 meeting.
Carried by unanimous voice vote.
ITEMS FROM COUNCIL
City Attorney Mattas related: two people were
appointed to the same positions after it was found
that the first individual was not a registered voter;
Council may direct staff to expand the Commission
or remove one or both Commissioners.
Mr. Manny Madriaga stated he hoped the Council
4/26/95
Page 16
ITEMS FROM COUNCIL
4. Status report - Continued.
4/26/95
Page 17
ITEMS FROM COUNCIL
could do this once and for all and he could come out
of the session with a smile because Councilman
Drago was not present at the last meeting the matter
was continued. He made the following statement:
he was required to register before being appointed
and he did that; the registration was lost and finally
found by the Elections Department; he feels he has
satisfied all of the requirements all along, looks
forward to being reappointed and introducing com-
puter literacy from a grant he was able to obtain;
etc.
Mr. Alex Escamonte stated he was here the first
time the Council scrutinized Manny's character,
leading to no other conclusion but doubt of his
registration. One Councilmember said how could
you do that, why did you have to mail it when he
could come to the Deputy Registrar of Voters.
He wondered later if Manny noticed the atmosphere
was so accusatory and why he would do that.
Council acted on the strength of that conviction,
because he did not turn in the voter registration
card. The benefit of the doubt was not given and
Manny was convicted and yet the County Clerk had
made a mistake. If the Council disqualified Manny
because he was not a voter that can now be correct-
ed because he is a voter and the Council had be-
lieved he was lying.
He stated Council appointed Manny because he was
competent to act as a Commissioner. Why must the
Council perpetuate this wrong, because it is a single
case of fairness to Manny, his supporters and the
Filipino Association of which he is the President.
Obviously the Assn. does not mean anything because
he had invited the Council to a function with other
legislators and no one showed up. He stated the
process the Council uses must be just otherwise you
will not hear the end of this, otherwise they will
seek justice and travail. He stated it is human to be
wrong and say I am sorry and the record will show
that a man who volunteered himself has been cruci-
fied here - so, the Council has no choice but to do
justice and reappoint Manny.
Mayor Yee was bothered that he was accused for
not attending their function. He received a call
about two days before 3/23/95 and made an appoint-
ment with Mr. Escamonte in City Hall at I0:00 a.m.
AGENDA ACTION TAKEN ~'~
ITEMS FROM COUNCIL
4. Status report - Continued.
4/26/95
Page 18
ITEMS FROM COUNCIL
He waited until 11:00 a.m. and no one showed up
and no one called and that is the reason he did not
go to Mr. Escamonte's function because he thought
he was mad at him. He told Mr. Escamonte he
could not speak when he tried to interrupt the May-
or.
Mr. Alex Escamonte asked that the record show he
could not comment.
Mrs. Marilyn Madriaga stated she came up to apolo-
gize for not believing her husband on the registra-
tion.
Ms. Luharsh Bashing, Fil-Am Club, stated she lived
in San Bruno, but has supported all of the politics.
She has been in politics since 1983, was shocked
with what happened here that night with Manny and
stayed up late to hear the final verdict.
Discussion followed: on the options before Council;
City Attorney stated the Council is not obligated to
increase the Commission by two, but can make the
appointment temporary until the next vacancy and
drop back to the current number of commissioners;
Councilwoman Teglia noted never had Council
called Mr. Madriaga a liar, and Councilman Penna
had said he believed him; Council had dealt with the
facts and did not try to crucify Mr. Madriaga in any
way; Councilwoman Teglia stated Mr. Alex
Escamonte was an orator but the remarks border on
intimidation; he had said the Council has no choice,
but they do have choices; she stated the Council had
complimented the Filipino community by consider-
ing one of its members and was bothered by the
threats being made and would make a motion to
negate the process and remove both people; Coun-
cilman Drago had never seen such an attempt to
intimidate the Council and polarize the community;
he stated he had voted for Mr. Madriaga, and that
was his mistake; Councilman Fernekes had also
voted for Mr. Madriaga because he felt he was the
best candidate and felt the Council acted in good
faith; Councilman Penna had yet to hear anyone say
you're qualified for the position because you favor
parks and recreation and have an agenda and partici-
pate in the community; he is hearing Filipino com-
munity and that the Council acted like jackasses.
.-I.TEMS FROM COUNCIL
4. Status Report - Continued.
15. Reappointment of Jim Claar to the Housing Authori-
ty. ..~-0 ~ '7
GOOD AND WELFARE
ADJOURNMENT:
ITEMS FROM COUNCIL
Councilwoman Teglia wants to do both and negate
the whole process and readvertise for applicants.
M/S Teglia/Drago - To remove both Commission-
ers, readvertise and go through the interview pro-
CesS.
Carried by majority roll call vote, Mayor Yee voted
no.
M/S Penna/Teglia - To reappoint Jim Claar to the
Housing Authority.
Carried by unanimous voice vote.
Vice Mayor Drago stated he sent a memo to Council
resigning from the Conference Center Authority.
He stated he had been involved with the Authority
for many years and wanted someone else on Council
to be appointed.
Mayor Yee asked if Councilwoman Teglia had a
conflict, if appointed, because of her being on the
San Mateo County Convention and Visitors Service.
City Attorney Mattas stated he would check it out
and get back to Council.
GOOD AND WELFARE
No one chose to speak.
M/S Teglia/Fernekes - To adjourn the meeting.
Carried by unanimous voice vote.
Time of adjournment was 1:15 a.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
APPROVED.
~ arbara A. Battaya, ff
~ City~
ity of South San Francisco
~t~by~rtf~~ancisco
4/26/95
Page 19
~ENDA fi~!~N TAKEN
The entries of this Council meeting show the action taken by the City Council to dispose of an item. Oral communica-
.OHS, arguments and comments are recorded on tape. The tape and documents related to the items are on file in the
)ffice of the City Clerk and are available for inspection, review and copying.
4/26/95
Page 20