HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2003-01-22 MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
SPECIAL MEETING
JANUARY 22, 2002
MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING
COMMUNITY ROOM
33 ARROYO DRIVE
1. Call to Order 6:02 p.m.
2. Roll Call Present:
o
(Cassette Tape No. 1)
Councilmembers Femekes, Garbarino and
Green, Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto and Mayor
Gonzalez
Absent: None
Public Comments None
Interview applicants for the Planning Commission
The following applicants were interviewed:
· Mike Meloni
· Rick Gomez
· Rufo Macaraeg
· Bemardo Patino
Marty Romero
Ms. Cynthia Smith was not present to be interviewed.
Applicants responded to the following questions:
Mayor Gonzalez: We have read your application. Could you talk about any work
experiences, background or interests that would help you be an effective member on
this particular commission?
· Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto: Tell us what you know about the Commission. Have
you attended any meetings and what interested you about the commission?
Question posed to applicants seeking reappointment: Having served as a
commissioner, can you cite for us what you feel you have brought to the
commission.
· Councilman Green: What motivates you? Can you describe your style of
interacting with other people.
· Councilman Garbarino: Consider and choose one word that best describes you and
explain why?
Councilman Fernekes: Could you summarize why the Council should consider
appointing (re-appointing) you to this commission? If you are not selected for this
particular commission, would you want to be considered for other commissions as
vacancies occur?
Mayor Gonzalez: I would like to give you an opportunity to discuss any areas
about which you were prepared to talk that haven't been covered. This is also your
opportunity to ask Council any questions.
Mayor Gonzalez concluded each interview with the comment that commissioners/
boardmembers receive a notification letter if they miss three or more meetings.
5. Discussion/appointments to Planning Commission
It was agreed to defer appointments until after all board and commission applicants have
been interviewed.
Motion-Matsumoto/Second-Garbadno: To continue appointments to the Planning
Commission until after all applicants for boards and commissions have been interviewed.
Unanimously approved by voice vote.
(Recessed: 6:58 pm - 7:04 pm)
o
Closed Session: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6, conference with Labor
Negotiator Jennifer Bower for Operating Engineers Local 39
Time entered into Closed Session:
Time reconvened into Open Session:
Report from Closed Session:
7:04 pm
7:24 pm (all Councilmembers present)
Direction given, no action taken
7. Adjournment
Motion-Femekes/SecondoMatsumoto: To adjourn the meeting at 7:25 p.m. Unanimously
approved by voice vote.
Submitted by:
Approved:
/s/
Sylvia M. Payne, City Clerk
City of South San Francisco
/s/
Pedro Gonzalez, Mayor
City of South San Francisco
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 22, 2003
M1NUTES PAGE 2
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 22, 2003
MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING
COMMUNITY ROOM
33 ARROYO DRIVE
CALL TO ORDER:
7:30 p.m.
(Cassette Tape No. 1)
ROLL CALL: Present:
Councilmembers Fernekes, Garbarino, and Green,
Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto and Mayor Gonzalez
Absent: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Led by Mayor Gonzalez
INVOCATION:
Not given.
PRESENTATIONS
· Municipal Information Systems Association of California Award - Mr. Ron Kaetzel
presented award to Information Technology Director Doug Hollis and staff members.
Core Values - Human Resources Director Jennifer Bower gave a visual presentation on the
recently developed employee customer service program and an overview of the program
implementation.
AGENDA REVIEW
No changes.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ms. Christine Maley-Grubl, Peninsula Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance, highlighted the
Alliance's 2001-02 Annual Report and distributed copies to Council.
Mr. Alberto Arias, San Mateo County Health Services, presented information on the County's
Healthy Kids program that went into effect on January 1, 2003. Informational material was
distributed to Council.
ITEMS FROM COUNCIL
· Community Forum
· Subcommittee Reports
Councilman Green reported on subcommittee meetings he attended, including the Boys and
Girls Club's 50th Anniversary dinner committee meeting, and the Sister Cities fundraising
committee meeting.
Mayor Pro Tern Matsumoto announced that the Orange Park Sculpture Garden has received
two separate awards. She suggested that community outreach efforts for the CTX SamTrans
project be explored and recognized Assistant City Manager Moss for his work with the City
upon the occasion of his retirement.
Councilman Garbarino reported attending the January C/CAG meeting that included an
overview of services provided by C/CAG. He stated that he has been meeting with the
various department heads to discuss current projects. He requested that staff look into a
complaint he received regarding open trenches at the Zamora tot lot.
Councilman Femekes stated he attended the C/CAG meeting, the Bay Bio meeting, and a
Burlingame hotel grand opening. He reported on a recent Sister Cities meeting and
announced that a fundraising dinner is being held February 23 to benefit the South San
Francisco High School folklorico group members who are planning a cultural exchange in
Mexico later this year. Councilman Femekes acknowledged Assistant City Manager Moss
for his years of service with the City.
Mayor Gonzalez announced that the meeting will be adjourned in memory of Mrs. Rebecca
Ruiz, mother of City employee Sandy Dugan. He stated that he attended a SAMCAT
workshop to discuss the future direction of Peninsula TV and announced that the
Community Preservation Task Force is scheduling two presentations with downtown
businesses on February 25 and 26. He congratulated Police Officer Don Ibarra for being
named police officer of the year by the San Mateo County Trial Lawyers Association.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Motion to approve the minutes of January 8, 2003
2. Motion to confirm expense claims of January 22, 2003 in the amount of $2,376,252.94
o
Resolution No. 6-2003, authorizing an agreement with the South San Francisco Chapter
of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 39
Motion-Garbarino/Second-Femekes: To approve the Consent Calendar as presented.
Unanimously approved by voice vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
Consideration of an appeal of the Planning Commission's decision to not certify the
Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND-01-0004) and to deny use permit (UP-01-0004)
to construct a Costco gasoline facility with 10 multi-product dispensers (20 fueling
positions), three 30,000 gallon underground gasoline storage tanks, and new parking
stalls on a 3.64 acre site located at the southeasterly comer of South Airport Boulevard
and Belle Air Road (140 Belle Air Road), in the Planned Commercial (P-C) Zone
District; Applicant: Costco Wholesale
Public hearing opened.
Staff report presented by Chief Planner Sparks.
Costco's representative, Ms. Kim Sanford (nee Stever), 999 Lake Drive, Issaquah, WA,
introduced Costco's consultant team: Bruce Creager, Barghausen Engineers; Mark
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 22, 2003
MINUTES PAGE 2
Vanderhay, Kittleson Traffic Engineers; and Larrry Hoopes, Kleinfelder Geotechnical.
Mr. Creager gave a visual presentation on the project site, surrounding land uses, and an
overview of the underground storage tank system, its monitoring system, and regulatory
issues. He also responded to the findings made by the Planning Commission for
denying the use permit based upon the lack of compliance with policies for the East of
101 area plan.
Mrs. Sophie Mason, 10 Arlington Drive, speaking against the project, stated her
frustration with traffic problems caused by the gas station at the E1 Camino store and
that Costco previously stated that a gas station was not going to be located at the South
Airport site. She asked Council if Costco owned the Belle Air Road property and staff
responded that Costco does own the site.
Ms. Jackie Williams, 242 Longford Drive, speaking against the project, stated her
concern regarding the impact on the environment related to traffic, the existing above
ground Chevron tank farm, and the potential instability of the underground tanks due to
seismic activity.
Public heating closed.
Councilman Femekes discussed with staff the general plan policy and zoning
designation for the site, and the Council and Planning Commission's vision for the area.
He discussed with staff and Costco's consultants the proximity of the site to the Bay, the
below ground tanks submerged in ground water and buoyancy, the previous use
(Pyramid Van & Storage), and safety factor levels. He stated that the vision is to
enhance the area, bring in business serving amenities and to look at other alternatives,
such as a restaurant, not a regional use that will draw people to buy gas and runs counter
to the goals outlined for the East of 101 area. He further discussed the traffic impact and
environmental concerns associated with the use, that the gas station is not a Community-
Bay resource, and the fact that the gas is limited to Costco members. He stated his
support for the Planning Commission's decision and proposed a motion to deny the
appeal.
Councilman Green questioned the ownership of the Belle Air Road property, stated
concerns regarding the abandoned service station site at the comer of Sequoia and
Mission Road, questioned if the Airport's rental car facility was factored into the traffic
study. He further discussed traffic, circulation and queuing concerns, and questioned
Mr. Mark Crane, Crane Transportation Group, about the left turn lane onto Belle Air
Road. He stated potential traffic impediment problems on South Airport Boulevard. He
commented on possible flaws of the gas tank monitoring system and the inability to
make timely repairs on underground tanks.
Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto questioned if the car rental facility was included in the
traffic study and Ms. Sanford stated it was not included in the calculations. Mr. Crane
provided information on how the analysis was conducted and stated that the number of
users was determined from gallonage that Costco projected. Mayor Pro Tem
Matsumoto confirmed with staff that the State has the authority to extend the MTBE
phase-out date. She further discussed with staff the reconfiguration of the Bay Trail
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEET1NG JANUARY 22, 2003
MINUTES PAGE 3
away from the treatment plant and verified that the Sacramento Costco gasoline facility
is located in a new development. Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto stated her skepticism that
the facility will be monitored for compliance once it is installed and her opposition to a
gas station at the site.
Councilman Garbarino questioned the sales volume between the two stores, and Ms.
Sanford responded that the South Airport store is approximately 40% lower and that
Costco is anticipating that the gas station users will be coming from existing
membership and members who will return from the E1 Camino store. Ms. Sanford also
clarified that the Belle Air Road site is owned by a trust that Costco leases from. In
response to Councilman Garbafino's question regarding the status of gas stations in the
E1 Camino area, staff stated that no new stations have opened and no stations have
closed. He stated his concerns regarding the storage of gasoline in a seismically
unstable area, the nearby Chevron tank farm, and that he could not support a gas station
for that location.
Mayor Gonzalez stated he did not envision a gas station for the Belle Air Road site and
although the City is experiencing an economic downturn it is not a land use that will
provide jobs. He stated he could not support the appeal of the Planning Commission's
decision.
Motion-Femekes/Second-Matsumoto: To deny the appeal and uphold the Planning
Commission's decision to not certify the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND-01-
0004), and to deny use permit (UP-01-0004), and to supplement the findings adopted by
the Planning Commission with an additional finding: The site is currently zoned
Planned-Commercial, however, in the adopted General Plan the site is designated as
Community-Commercial. Community-Commercial can be designated as regional
serving, though this site is not so designated in the General Plan. The City Council
finds, after reviewing all evidence in the record, including the testimony received at the
January 22, 2003 meeting of the City Council, that the proposed service station use is
inconsistent with the General Plan, specifically General Plan Policy 3.5-I-8. While
Community-Commercial generally permits service stations, General Plan Policy 3.5-I-8,
which is part of the East of 101 Sub Area Element of the adopted General Plan is more
specific and states that in the East of 101 area the City should "encourage development
of employee serving amenities with restaurants, cafes, support commercial
establishments, such as dry cleaners, to meet the needs of the employees in the East of
101 area. Such uses could be located in independent centers, or integrated into office
parks, or technology parks". Unanimously approved by voice vote.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
o
Resolution authorizing the execution of the State Revolving Fund loan agreement for the
WQCP Wet Weather Project in the amount of $45 million
Staff report presented by Public Works Director Gibbs.
Mayor Gonzalez verified that the project will help to alleviate flooding along the Colma
Creek, which staff confirmed.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 22, 2003
MINUTES PAGE 4
Motion-Garbarino/Second-Green: To approve Resolution No. 9-2003, dedicating a
revenue source for repayment of the State Revolving Fund Loan for Watcr Quality
Control Plant Wet Weather Program Expansion Project No. #C-06-4728-110 and
Authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute the loan agreement.
Unanimously approved by voice vote. (Title of Resolution 9-2003 revised 8/28/03)
6. Resolution amending the budget for the Mid-Year Financial Report for FY 2002-03
Staff report presented by Finance Director Steele.
Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto questioned the estimated dollar amount of reductions, and
City Manager Wilson responded that the City has reduced the budget by $1.3 million for
this fiscal year and no further reductions are anticipated. He further explained that
revenue measures for an additional $3 million reduction will be proposed for FY 2003-
04 anticipating that the State will be withholding vehicle license fees, but information
coming from the League of California Cities varies daily.
Councilman Femekes questioned the effect of the proposed shift of local vehicle license
fees and Director Steele presented Agenda Item No. 8 staff report.
Motion-Fernekes/Second-Matsumoto: To approve Resolution No. 10-2003, approving a
budget amendment to the 2002-2003 operating program budget (No. 03-15).
Unanimously approved by voice vote.
Staff requested Council consider Item No. 8 next.
Resolution urging the State legislature to reject the Governor's proposed shift of local
vehicle license fee revenues (VLF) and to honor the 1998 commitment to restore the
VLF
City Manager Wilson advised Council that the request for the resolution came from the
League of California Cities and that a letter, signed by Mayor Gonzalez, was forwarded
to State legislators, including Assemblyman Mullin.
Motion-Garbarino/Second-Green: To approve Resolution No. 11-2003, urging the
California Legislature to reject the Governor's proposed shift of Local Vehicle License
Fee (VLF) revenues and to honor the 1998 commitment to restore the VLF.
Unanimously approved by voice vote.
7. Resolution amending fee schedule and amending rental rates for City-owned property
Staff report presented by Finance Director Steele. He noted a correction to page 14 of
the attachment to the resolution, Recreation Fees, Terrabay Gymnasium, Non-Residents,
Proposed 2003-04, that the fee is being raised from $95. to $105.
Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto verified that fees will either be equal or below surrounding
cities and staff confirmed. She also verified that the childcare fee increase was the only
major change, which staff confirmed.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 22, 2003
MINUTES PAGE 5
Motion-Green/Second-Fernekes: To approve Resolution No. 12-2003, amending the
budget and modifying the master fee schedule for the 2002-2003 fiscal year.
Unanimously approved by voice vote.
ITEMS FROM COUNCIL - continued
Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto announced that Soroptimists International is holding a Valentine's
Day dance on February 14 at the Municipal Services Building.
Mayor Gonzalez announced that the Boys and Girls Club's 50th Anniversary celebration is on
January 30, 2003.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion-Fernekes/Second-Green: To adjourn the meeting at 10:44 p.m. in memory of Rebecca
Ruiz. Unanimously approved by voice vote.
Submitted by:
Approved:
/s/
Sylvia M. Payne, City Clerk
City of South San Francisco
/s/
Pedro Gonzalez, Mayor
City of South San Francisco
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 22, 2003
MINUTES PAGE 6