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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2009-01-17o ~ MINUTE S ~. o CITY COUNCIL c'~LIFOR~~A OF THE CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400 Grand Avenue) South San Francisco, California 94083 CITY HALL CONFERENCE ROOM 400 GRAND AVENUE SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2009 1. Called to Order: 8:34 a.m. 2. Roll Call: Present: Councilmen Garbarino, Gonzalez and Mullin., Vice Mayor Addiego*, and Mayor Matsumoto. * Vice Mayor Addiego left the meeting at 11:00 a.m. and returned at 1:32 p.m. Absent: None. 3. Public Comments -comments were limited to items on the Special Meeting Agenda. None. Prior to leaving the Public Comment section of the Agenda, Mayor Matsumoto stated that due to the amount of business Council had to cover at the meeting, public comments would only be accepted under item three (3) and would not be heard under later Agenda Items. Mayor Matsumoto further advised that because the Vice Mayor had to leave for a portion of the meeting to attend to awork-related matter, items on the agenda would be heard out of order so that the Vice Mayor would be present for the discussion(s) pertaining to the most pressing issues. 4. Items for Discussion: a) Financial Forecast. City Manager Nagel presented an updated financial forecast for the City that accounted for recent changes in the economic climate and potential issues related to the state budget. Attachment 1 to these minutes was presented to Council at the meeting and summarizes the financial forecast presented by the City Manager. The City Manager advised Council that in order to address the forecasted budget shortfall, Departments were processing 2% budget reductions. Further reductions to 5% were being considered through 2010. Proposals for these measures would be formalized and presented to the Finance Subcommittee in a couple of weeks. Councilman Mullin questioned whether the $656,000 ERAF figure was a recapture. City Manager Nagel confirmed it was. Vice Mayor Addiego opined the proposed budget reductions were aimed at rescuing the budget as opposed to getting out ahead of the budget shortfall. He questioned whether a hiring freeze was called for and whether certain areas should be considered exempt. City Manager Nagel suggested staff would have better information as to whether a hiring freeze was advisable once budget reduction scenarios were processed and additional information from the state and county with respect to certain revenues became available. He suggested that other more creative programs such as voluntary furloughs and medical benefit reductions might first be called for. Staff would be meeting with Bargaining Units in the upcoming months to discuss and negotiate some of these options. b) BIO 2009-Atlanta Assistant City Manager and Director of Economic and Community Development Van Duyn advised $40,000 was budgeted for the Conference. Also incorporated in the budget was the cost of updating and transporting the booth to Atlanta. Vice Mayor Addiego questioned whether there would be other participants from California. Assistant City Manager Van Duyn responded there would be approximately 30 booths from California or California related. Councilman Mullin stated that since the City is a true a player in the Biotech Arena, it should have a presence at the Conference. Mayor Matsumoto stated one (1) staff person should attend. Assistant City Manager Van Duyn stated that not sending two (2) Councilmembers would save an additional $8000. He recommended that Economic Development Coordinator Lappen be the staff person to attend. Councilman Gonzalez agreed Coordinator Lappen was the appropriate staff person for the job. He noted, however, that past attendees at the Conference had been impressed that South San Francisco's elected officials participated. Nonetheless, he understood the current cost considerations. Council determined to send the booth and one (1) staff member to the Conference. c) Progress Seminar 2009 Mayor Matsumoto opined the cost to attend was roughly $1.000/Councilperson. She stated she SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEF,TING JANUARY I7, 2009 MINUTES PAGE 2 would not attend the Seminar this year. Councilmen Garbarino and Mullin expressed interest in attending. Vice Mayor Addiego supported sending Councilmen Mullin and Garbarino and suggested holding Council attendance to two (2) representatives. Councilman Garbarino advised he could make a tentative commitment to attending due to obligations that might arise from his participation on a regional body. d) Day in the Park 2009/Fourth of July Celebration Mayor Matsumoto expressed concern about the ability to raise funds to sponsor Day in the Park. She stated the event costs at least $70,000.00/year. Councilman Garbarino stated he could raise at least $65,000 from local companies that were committed to the event. Vice Mayor Addiego stated he didn't enjoy the event and didn't see value to the greater community. He suggested a tradeshow in the Conference Center where people could learn about volunteer and other opportunities within the City. He noted such an event had been successful in Sunnyvale. Councilman Garbarino opined Day in the Park was for the people and the City's Service Organizations. He noted that the community loves the event and he wouldn't recommend changing it. Mayor Matsumoto stated the event takes much of the Park and Recreation Department Staff's time. She noted staff in the Department spends countless hours of prep time on the event and these workers were being diverted from performing other tasks. In addition, a very large Police presence was required last year. She opined that if the event continued, participants should be charged for booths. Councilman Garbarino commented that more than 10,000 people participate every year and he didn't want to take the event away from the community. He further commented that the event represented a day for the people. Mayor Matsumoto stated that during the afternoon, a whole different crowd arrives at Day in the Park, and she didn't believe the event should be hosted at that point. Councilman Garbarino opined the bulk of the day was filled with events for kids and families. Councilman Gonzalez opined the City should continue to hold Day in the Park and observed the importance of the event to local nonprofits. He stated that if necessary, the City could charge $50.00/per booth. Councilman Mullin stated he did not have a problem with charging for booths. He further stated SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 17, 2009 MINUTES PAGE 3 there was value to the public congregation at Day in the Park; however he understood concerns about the crowd that gathered during the late afternoon. He noted that at some point it might make sense to explore Grand Avenue as an option for a Day in the Park type event that would showcase the Downtown and City Hall. Councilman Gonzalez stated the idea of bringing afair-type event to Grand Avenue that would help showcase local businesses was a good one. City Manager Nagel stated that based on Council's discussion the City would move forward with Day in the Park. He next asked Council to address the Fourth of July Picnic and whether it would be considered an annual event. Councilman Gonzalez suggested that the City host a Fourth of July Event at City Hall. Councilman Mullin stated he like the idea of showcasing City Hall. Further, being that the building was modeled on Independence Hall in Philadelphia, it was an appropriate location to celebrate the Fourth of July. City Manager Nagel suggested the Concert in the Park. Event could be moved to City Hall and consolidated with the Fourth of July Event to include Barbecue and a band. He noted the event might need to be shut down early so that the Police could attend to fireworks related incidents and monitoring within the City. Staff would look into whether the Fourth of July/Concert in the Park Event could be accommodated at City Hall. e) Elected Mayor/City Council Term Limits Councilman Gonzales raised the idea of pursuing an elected Mayor. He believed an elected Mayor might bring consistency to the Office. Mayor Matsumoto observed San Bruno had an elected Mayor that served a four (4) year term. She further stated that South San Francisco's Mayors were formerly appointed based on the highest amount of votes received in the general election and then it became rotational. Vice Mayor Addiego observed Councilmembers could theoretically be passed over in the rotation. Councilman Mullin questioned whether frank conversations between Councilmembers regarding their preference for who should be appointed Mayor could be had outside of the Reorganization so as to avoid a public drama over the issue. City Attorney Mattas stated a one (1) on one (1) conversation between two (2) Councilmembers was fine. The issue could also be discussed at a Special Meeting outside the Reorganization. Mayor Matsumoto questioned Council's preference with respect to the idea of an elected Mayor. Council expressed a preference to maintain the status quo with the understanding that the rotation is flexible. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 17, 2009 MINUTES PAGE 4 Councilman Mullin raised the idea of considering term limits for Councilmembers in light of the Policy that exists for Board and Commission members. He stated that any such term limits should be imposed prospectively. He suggested twelve years as an appropriate term limit. Councilman Garbarino stated he didn't like the idea of term limits and the electorate should decide when an elected representative's time was up. Councilman Gonzalez observed that if term limits were employed, they should be staggered. He would want to avoid the situation that arose in Millbrae, in which three (3) Councilmembers were termed out at the same time. City Attorney Mattas advised it would not be possible to stagger the terms in a manner that would avoid having three Councilmembers up for reelection at the same time as Council terms were set at four (4) years and the election rotation of two (2) and then three (3) councilmember terms was already established. Vice Mayor Addiego observed that since 1978 only two (2) South San Francisco Councilmembers have served a fourth term. Councilman Mullin stated he brought the item up in the spirit of the return to community participation being espoused by the new Administration in Washington, but he understood Council's position against the idea. f) Invocation at City Council Meetings Mayor Matsumoto advised that since the passing of Pastor Cantley there had been difficulty securing members of the clergy aside from one (1) congregation. Vice Mayor Addiego stated that unless diversity could be brought to the invocation, he didn't believe it should be continued. Councilman Garbarino agreed the invocation should be multidenominational. Mayor Matsumoto advised she met with the Reverend Doctor Gabrielle Schroeder. Reverend Schroeder had tried to recruit other pastors to appear at meetings to provide invocations but had been unsuccessful. Councilman Garbarino stated he didn't have a problem removing the invocation from the agenda given the inability to secure members of diverse religions. Vice Mayor Addiego and Councilman Mullin agreed. Councilman Gonzalez stated he would like to leave the invocation item on the agenda and continue to seek interfaith groups to provide it. Mayor Matsumoto stated the consensus was to remove invocation items from the agenda, with Councilman Gonzalez being against this outcome. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 17, 2009 MINUTES PAGE 5 g) City Council Guests at City/Regional Events Councilman Garbarino suggested that Councilmembers be permitted to bring a guest to events four (4) times a year out of their discretionary funds. Mayor Matsumoto stated she did not deny that it was important to have spouses present at events, but was concerned over the use of public funds for this purpose. City Attorney Mattas stated that under current state law, the most defensible position was to exclude reimbursement for spouses. Councilman Gonzalez stated that oftentimes the City Councilmembers' spouses serve as advocates and assume public roles for the betterment of the community. Accordingly, there were certain events they should be present at. h) City Council Funds for Events Councilman Garbarino stated the Mayor's allocation for events should be increased given all the events the Mayor is called upon to attend. Councilman Mullin stated he was comfortable with this extra allocation given that Mayors were coming up against the limit. Mayor Matsumoto stated that the fund could be increased with the understanding that if one of the Councilmembers had to attend an event in her place it should come out of her fund as the Mayor. Council supported increasing the Mayor's annual allocation from $1500 to $2500. i) Council Goals/Objectives Mayor Matsumoto advised Councilmembers would be reviewing their priorities for the year. She then stated her goals and objectives for the year as follows: a) establishment of a North County Mayor's and City Manager's Breakfast; b) a Volunteer Opportunities Day at the Municipal Services Building; c) intern programs; d) semi-annual brown bag lunch with the Mayor; e) Staff Talent Show; f) changing the format of the State of the City to include a March component at a meeting of the City Council; g) completion of the Bay Trail; and h) volunteer programs benefitting seniors. Councilman Mullin stated the following goals and objectives: a) maintaining vigilance on the Caltrain project and ensuring funding is secured; b) Downtown development; c) intergovernmental advocacy and service on County agencies; d) new Main Library efforts and potential collaboration with the School District; and e) civic engagement through web-based video and other Internet programs. Councilman Gonzalez stated the following goals: a) establishment of a Youth Commission; b) working with Downtown, Old Town and Linden Avenue merchants; and c) dealing with issues of SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 17, 2009 MINUTES PAGE 6 housing and homelessness. Councilman Garbarino stated agreement with many of the goals discussed by Councilmembers and added the following: a) focusing on increasing outreach and participation relating to volunteerism by members of the community. He noted that a lot of South San Francisco residents have talents that would be of great benefit to nonprofit organizations in the greater region; and b) outreach to homeowners groups. j) Installation of Benches at Brentwood Shopping Center Councilman Garbarino stated that it was brought to his attention that only one bench existed in the Brentwood Shopping Center Area. Council agreed that given the services offered in the area, two (2) to three (3) benches should be installed. k) Formation of Youth Commission Councilman Gonzalez raised the idea of forming a Youth Commission. He opined that the City's youth needed a voice in the community as well as a means of participating. Mayor Matsumoto stated the youth's interest in participating fluctuates. She recommended that the City establish a Youth Committee as an adjunct of the Park and Recreation Commission rather than establish a Youth Commission. She offered that two (2) youth might represent each Middle, Junior and High School within the City. Councilman Gonzalez believed it would be a good idea to start with a Youth Committee and monitor its progress to determine if a Youth Commission would work. City Manager Nagel said staff would work on the logistics of creating a Youth Committee as an adjunct of the Park and Recreation Commission and bring the item to Council. 1) City Council Tuition Reimbursement Mayor Matsumoto suggested City Council Tuition Reimbursement for courses and classes that related to the job as a Councilmember for the City of South San Francisco. Councilman Mullin stated that Council Tuition Reimbursement for courses related to professional development in areas related to service as a Councilmember should be covered. Councilman Garbarino agreed. City Attorney Mattas advised Council should be careful to make sure any courses had a direct relation to their role as Councilmembers. Otherwise, the reimbursement might arguably be adding to Council's compensation under state law. City Manager Nagel suggested that Councilmembers run any courses they are interested in taking SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 17, 2009 MINUTES PAGE 7 by the City Attorney prior to enrollment. m) City Council Invitations (Fax/Hard Copy) Councilmembers advised the City Manager's Office of their preferences with respect to faxing invitations and other correspondence related items. n) Residential Parking Issues Councilman Garbarino stated there was an increase in residential parking problems. Mayor Matsumoto stated she was considering hosting a brown bag on the issue. Councilman Gonzalez opined permits might become necessary. Mayor Matsumoto stated it would be important to get input from the community on the issue. City Manager Nagel advised any permit program would require consistent enforcement which would require concentrated and expanded resources. o) Discussion of Grand Avenue Assistant City Manager and Director of Economic Development Van Duyn advised the topic would be the subject of a study session in February. Council agreed to consider the subject at that time p) Staff s Goals for 2009 City Manager Nagel outlined several of staff's goals for 2009 as follows: 1) managing the CIP Plan with a simple form that would serve as a legible reporting document for Council and the City Manager with respect to the CIP; 2) pursuing the Proposition 218 process with respect to multiyear sewer rate funds; 3) RDA: making sure tax increment and consolidation were in line; 4) quality of life issues: pursuing grant funding for projects that would increase walkability within the City and focus on a new Main Library; 5) Public Safety Operations: improve and/or focus on certain opportunities and programs, including CERT training, the Police Department's Freshlines for Youth, DUI checkpoints, ABC decoy plans, an alarm ordinance, the HERO Program and mentoring; 6) technology: synching up the HR and finance system, considering a new City server room and various compliance projects; 7) moving forward with the Downtown Parking Garage, the Caltrain Station and a land use plan for the PUC property; and 8) updating the zoning ordinance. City Attorney Mattas outlined the City Attorney Office's goals for 2009 as follows: 1) conduct training for public safety and public works employees and management staff in public liability avoidance techniques; 2) work with the Police Department on a False Alarm Ordinance; 3) update the zoning code; 4) continue to assist the Economic and Community Development Department with negotiation of significant projects, including the PUC property; 5) work on SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY I7, 2009 MINUTES PAGE 8 sustainability and SB 375 related issues, including development of a climate action plan; 6) work with the Public Works Department on the 218 process; and 7) coordinate code updates and clean- up. Mayor Matsumoto requested that the City Attorney's Office add greater oversight of procedure related to Planning Commission meetings to its list. City Attorney Mattas stated he would and could also offer training for Planning Commissioners in this regard. q) Zoning Ordinance Update Assistant City Manager Van Duyn stated the zoning update was in the works and would focus on an easier review process that would lessen the need for more formal applications. As part of the update process, staff would also be looking at Park and Recreation fees for subdivision projects and might recommend a related AB 1600 analysis. Mayor Matsumoto expressed a preference for parking in lieu fees. City Attorney Mattas added that depending on Council's wishes, the Housing Element could be updated to permit later amendment of the zoning code to achieve certain objectives. r) Items from the City Council. Councilman Garbarino stated that he would like to suggest including in condolence letters the name of the Councilmember who requested an adjournment in memory of a deceased person. Mayor Matsumoto suggested the letter could be jointly signed by the Mayor and the Councilmember(s) requesting the memorial adjournment. Council agreed. Mayor Matsumoto advised she would be changing the format of Council's Certificates of Recognition. She then raised the issue of designating a Council Liaison to the League of California Cities Peninsula Division as had been requested by Division President Linda Knelling. Councilman Garbarino was assigned to this position. In response to the Mayor's request for volunteers, Vice Mayor Addiego and Councilman Gonzalez agreed to serve as the Mayor's back- up and alternate back-up with respect to Council of Cities Events. Mayor Matsumoto also advised she met with Developer Jack Meyers to tour the Centennial Tour Building. She commented on the beauty of the project. Vice Mayor Addiego advised of a friend living on Edgewood whose home was burglarized. She stated that no one in her neighborhood knew of the incident and questioned whether the City might establish a crime alert system when something happens in the community. City Manager Nagel presented Council with a list of City projects that might be appropriate for federal stimulus package funding. He noted the government was stressing shovel-ready as the SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 17, 2009 MINUTES PAGE 9 key criteria. Assistant City Manager Van Duyn advised staff was considering pursuing funding of the green components to the parking garage under the stimulus package. Councilman Gonzalez requested that staff look into putting a stop light at the intersection of Armour and Linden. Mayor Matsumoto requested that staff look into enforcement of delivery time restrictions in the Brentwood Area near El Camino Real. Vice Mayor Addiego advised that he attended the recent BCDC meeting where the South San Francisco Ferry Terminal was discussed. The discussion indicated that the Ferry Terminal would put the City in a new league. Mayor Matsumoto stated she was not opposed to the Ferry Terminal but wanted WETA to be accountable for the money that various agencies would be putting up by presenting a business plan. 5. Closed Session: Public Employee Performance Evaluations: (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957) Employees: City Manager and City Attorney. Closed Session opened: 2:25 p.m. Open Session resumed: 3:50 p.m. Report out of Closed Session: By a 5-0 vote Council directed the City Attorney to prepare an amendment to the City Manager's employment contract to extend the contract by one year. 6. Adjournment. Being no further business, Mayor Matsumoto adjourned the meeting at 3:50 p.m. Submitted bv: Krista ~~l~arson, City Clerk City of South San Francisco Approved: " ~` r i' ~,~ ~ Karyl atsumoto, Mayor City of South Sup Francisco SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 17, 2009 PAGE 10 City of South San Francisco Budget Strategy Discussion January 2008109 Update SSF Budget Impacts (Changes to Adopted 08109 Budget): 1st Quarter Changes 780,000 122,000 184, 000 (580,000) (700,000) (140,000) (100,000) (75,000) (76,000} ;~,(58~""~S,p Q 575,000 Changefrorri 1'sf' January '09 ` Q~uartei to. Changes January '09 ~ ` 780,000 - (134,000) ~ ~i ;25~,0~00)' 184,000 130,000 1.~0 0~00~' (1,120,970) i5~0 970)': (700,000) - (140,000) - (100,000) (125,000) 4r ~~~~~"(50~00) (76 000) ^Ju ,~~~~~~~ ~~>~~ Projected Projected 09110 10111 REVENUES: Property Tax (1) TOT (2) Child Care Programs Tax Increment Pass-Throughs Sales Tax (3) Building Permits Grading & PW Permits Fire Permits Parking Tax Investment Interest Income (4) EXPENDITURES: Retiree Health Costs Health Rates (5) PERS costs (6) 3% COLA Wage Increase ($1,250,000) 2% Departmental Budget Reductions (1,290,763) (250,000) 213,000 225,000 (1,520,000) s~'~ t~s ; tis: a ~ -~,a~ ,~„~ ~: ~x,~-.,~ ~ ~,~.~. Negative =less 1~,%~30159 ~0~ ,,9 0 ~8~~,~;;.~~7"-6~3; ~~~;225;QQ0 „,~ revenue ~ ~~'-~ ~firv ~ ~- ,,~.~ 575 000 `~~ ~'~ ~~~~ i~~~,i~4 ~~,~"~~ ';~~~~ 1,154,725 `~ ~~~' "'. 750 000 ~.. `d ,~ 1 (1,200,000) ~~; ~ rg1, OOy,.Q00;),~ N ..~~~ ~ _ x ~ u ~-1r 154 ~7t2 - x~ ~'°~ ~;~O~T00:0 Positive =higher ''6~ •5 OOU, 1,2.00 ~ 00' ' ;~ ~ ~~~~='~~.^.~~..~ expenditures ~._. ,.a Z... Amended 08-09 Budget Surplus 138 741 138,741 ,"~~s &~,~ ;~=~ ~" 4 ~ ' ~, ~ ~ ~ ~.. ~ ., . -` Net~lm.„pact.r ..: _ . .. , ~, (1` 021 259 .~~.._.. ~--._ :~~.,~) ~ S ~~ ~ ~' ~ 40 Y2,488) { ,~ 53'8` 228 ~ ~.~_~.,.~_..~..x..) ~~x~.~.«_.~48~3,030~ ( 0 (525,000) Additional ERAF (instead of funding CIP) 656,000 656,000 656,000 550,000 550,000 _ ,, Budgef,lmpacf; with .extra:ERAF _ m . _(365,259), ,,... 452 488) 117,772Y ,~_ _ .„ 1,139.;030_ _ (3,. ,_ ,,, ,,,,,, ,, ,, ... .. , 25,000 ' . ,,~ „w~,;. 1) a. 08/09 includes $500K cushion for County-wide foreclosures b. 09/10 removes one-time prior year audit adjustments from Genentech ($1,150,000) c. 09/10 continues-the $500K decline for foreclosures, and projects slight decrease in overall property tax revenue 2) July -Aug strong, but down 24% in Nov, 17% decrease for rest of year 3) 25% drop in construction, 5% decrease in other sectors 4) Includes our share of County's loss from Lehman ($225,000 to the General Fund) 5) Blue Shield up 25%; Kaiser numbers not in yet, so 25% increase assumed 6) Assumes 08/09 PERS earnings decline 15% overall for the year