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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2015-01-27_Meeting MinutesMINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING – JANUARY 27, 2015 VETERAN’S MEMORIAL HALL – 6:00P.M. PRESENT: Jamie Irons Mayor John Headding Councilmember Christine Johnson Councilmember Matt Makowetski Councilmember Noah Smukler Councilmember STAFF: David Buckingham City Manager John Fox Assistant City Attorney Dana Swanson City Clerk Rob Livick Public Works Director Joe Woods Recreation Director Eric Endersby Harbor Director Amy Christey Police Chief Susan Slayton Administrative Services Director Scot Graham Community Development Manager ESTABLISH QUORUM AND CALL TO ORDER MOMENT OF SILENCE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CLOSED SESSION REPORT MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & PRESENTATIONS PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS • Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Presentation Kelly Wells, Executive Director for the Chamber of Commerce, provided the October – December 2014 quarterly report. The Chamber of Commerce supports incubator businesses by providing office space for 5-8 hours per week to the City Resource Connection, Estero Bay Radio Station 97.3 “The Rock,” Morro Bay Community Quota Fund, and conference room usage for various non-profit organizations. During this quarter, the Chamber provided event support for the first annual Morro Bay Downtown Trick-or-Treat event, Morro Bay Boat Parade and Tree Lighting, and ongoing Morro Bay 50th anniversary events, including last week’s wrap-up celebration. Time was spent collecting information and promoting a possible New Year’s Eve fireworks display, disseminating information on the business license audit and amnesty program, sign ordinance and permitting information, and participating in the LEAP program. She continues to network with out-of-area chambers to investigate programs that are successful in other areas and the research and analysis of a new website and data management system. AGENDA NO: A-3 MEETING DATE: February 10, 2015 2 MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 27, 2015 • Morro Bay in Bloom Presentation Walter Heath, President of Morro Bay in Bloom, along with Judith Carlson, Robert Davis, Jan Goldman, Eileen Sweeny, Donna Stoll and Chuck Stoll presented Council and staff with the “Michelen star” award for civic beautification from American in Bloom, and provided a brief history of the “in bloom” movement, which originated in France in 1900. America in Bloom was founded in 2001 and Morro Bay in Bloom was founded in 2013. The City was evaluated on 60 different items comprising six criteria: floral displays, landscaped areas, urban forestry, environmental efforts, heritage preservation and overall impression and earned 831 points out of 1,000 possible. It is uncommon for a city to be so highly rated in its first year of participation. • Update on the Progress of the LEAP Program Don Maruska provided an update on the LEAP Program. It is estimated over 100 people attended the January 21st LEAP workshop; the video for this workshop is available on the City website for those who were unable to attend. Ten initiatives have been identified so far and teams are working on revised plans. He encourages folks at home to get connected and involved with a current initiative and/or identify something new. The LEAP Program will be brought to Council in March for further review and endorsement. PUBLIC COMMENT The public comment period was open. Barbara Wolak from Abri Waterfront Restaurant provided the business spot. They are located at 571 Embarcadero and are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week, from 8:30am to 8:30 pm. They have a large variety of menu offerings including gluten-free items, a spectacular view and pet-friendly dining. Rigmore, Morro Bay, spoke in favor of the Main Street parklet. There is plenty of parking available one or two blocks away, which allows you to stroll freely, breathe fresh ocean air and an opportunity to see other stores you may not have been to. She noted there are areas with wide streets that could be modified to increase parking. Also, with regard to the sewer plant, Morro Bay needs full control. Linna Thomas, Morro Bay, submitted a petition including seven pages of signatures objecting to parklet for the following reasons: 1) it eliminates valuable parking, 2) it appears city funds have been used to benefit one business, 3) it is too close to fast moving traffic, and 4) it disregards a community gathering place across the street that is subsidized by the city. Bill Martony, Morro Bay, spoke regarding the parklet. He feels it is a great idea that could be cut in half or placed at a different location. With regard to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, he asks the City consider new MBR technology, which would reduce labor costs. Robert Davis, Morro Bay, spoke regarding bicycle and pedestrian needs. SLOCOG is asking for list of bicycle and pedestrian improvement requests for presentation at their February 4th 3 MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 27, 2015 meeting. Morro Bay has accomplished some cool things this past year, including being named a Bicycle Friendly Community. The Citizen’s Bike Committee has identified several new items they will submit those improvement requests to SLOCOG. Janice Peters, Morro Bay, spoke regarding Item D-1, expressing preference for simplicity with regard to the City seal. She feels the numbers are flawed as they did not provide the opportunity to keep current seal. Fishing and the Rock need to be emphasized. The public comment period was closed. A. CONSENT AGENDA Unless an item is pulled for separate action by the City Council, the following actions are approved without discussion. A-1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 13, 2015; (ADMINISTRATION) RECOMMENDATION: Approve as submitted. A-2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 13, 2015; (ADMINISTRATION) RECOMMENDATION: Approve as submitted. A-3 APPROVAL OF A NEW LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH CAL POLY CORPORATION, INC. FOR DEDICATED DOCKAGE SPACE ON THE NORTH T- PIER FOR A FLOATING RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL DOCK; (HARBOR) RECOMMENDATION: Approve the License Agreement with Cal Poly Corporation, Inc. A-4 APPROVAL OF EXTENSION OF CONSULTANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MORRO BAY AND LISA WISE CONSULTING, INC. FOR COMPLETION OF BOATYARD AND HAULOUT MARKET ANALYSIS STUDY; (HARBOR) RECOMMENDATION: Approve an extension of the contract with Lisa Wise Consulting, Inc. The public comment period for the consent calendar was open; seeing none, the public comment period was closed. MOTION: Councilmember Johnson moved the City Council approve Items A-1 through A-4 from the Consent Calendar, as presented. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Smukler and carried unanimously, 5-0. Ayes: Irons, Headding, Johnson, Makowetski, Smukler No’s: None 4 MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 27, 2015 B. PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE C. UNFINISHED BUSINESS / SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES - NONE D. NEW BUSINESS D-1 CONSIDERATION AND SELECTION OF UPDATED CITY SEAL; (ADMINISTRATION) City Manager Buckingham presented the staff report and responded to Council inquiries. The public comment period for Item D-1 was opened. Bill Martony, Morro Bay, was unaware we were changing the City seal. He noted that Buz Kidwell still living in Morro Bay and probably has the original design. He likes the old seal just as well, simpler and cleaner is better. Barbara Spagnola, Morro Bay, spoke regarding the validity of the survey monkey response; for a population of 5,000 if you are willing to accept 5% margin of error, you need 370 respondents. The public comment period for Item D-1 was closed. Council discussed the importance of the City seal and noted the input received was statistically significant and valid. Version B was the clear and significant leader based on votes submitted, it represents the essence of the community, and it is important to respect the process. MOTION: Councilmember Johnson moved the City Council select Version “B” as the updated Morro Bay City Seal and direct staff to bring a Resolution adopting Version B to the February 10, 2015 City Council meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Headding and carried unanimously, 5-0. Ayes: Irons, Headding, Johnson, Makowetski, Smukler No’s: None D-2 RESOLUTION NO. 05-15 AUTHORIZING THE 2014/15 MID-YEAR BUDGET AMENDMENTS, THE PRESENTATION OF THE CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE REPORT DATED DECEMBER 31, 2014, AND REVIEW OF THE PORTFOLIO PERFORMANCE AND CONTRACT SERVICES PAYMENTS THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2014; (ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES) Administrative Services Director Slayton presented the staff report and responded to Council inquiries. Barbara Spagnola of the Citizens Oversight Committee (Measure “Q”) provided a summary of their report, as presented in the City Council agenda packet. 5 MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 27, 2015 Homer Alexander of the Citizens Oversight Committee (Measure “Q”) provided concluding remarks and asked Council to bring forward an item regarding whether Measure Q funds should be used to fund Federal or State mandated costs. He suggests the public go to City website and check out pavement management plan charts, and asks Council continue to honor the promise made to the voters in 2006, that this extra money only be used for projects to improve public safety, improve streets and protect the ocean and bay from toxic run off. The public comment period for Item D-2 was opened; seeing none, the public comment period was closed. Council expressed concern about the $200,000 transfer request from General Fund reserve given other priority work to be done through the goals process, the magnitude of projects coming forward, and unfunded mandates from CalPERS. Council discussed a desire for a budget oversight committee to ensure work with staff and communicate information back to Council and the community. The option to reduce the Pavement Management project by $200,000 was discussed and staff noted advancing the $200,000 this year while the contractor is on site provides a much greater value. Although cautious about spending down reserves, Council discussed and agreed there is more value to getting the street work done now. MOTION: Mayor Irons moved the City Council accept staff recommendations, approve Resolution No. 05-15 and accept the Citizens Oversight Committee’s recommendations. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Headding and carried unanimously, 5-0. Ayes: Irons, Headding, Johnson, Makowetski, Smukler No’s: None D-3 INITIATION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 17.44.020 OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE TO ALLOW FOR A USE CHANGE WITHIN EXISTING COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS, LOCATED WITHIN THE BEACH STREET SPECIFIC PLAN AREA, WITHOUT THE REQUIREMENT FOR ADDITIONAL PARKING SPACES; (COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT) Community Services Manager Graham presented the staff report and responded to Council inquiries. The public comment period for Item D-3 was opened; seeing none, the public comment period was closed. MOTION: Councilmember Smukler moved the City Council adopt Resolution 04-15 and direct staff to prepare a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment altering the parking requirements for commercial building reuse in the Beach Street Specific Plan area. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Headding and carried unanimously, 5-0. Ayes: Irons, Headding, Johnson, Makowetski, Smukler No’s: None 6 MINUTES - MORRO BAY CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 27, 2015 D-4 PLANNING AND BUILDING DIVISION STATUS UPDATE Community Services Manager Graham presented the staff report and responded to Council inquiries. The public comment period for Item D-4 was opened; seeing none, the public comment period was closed. Council expressed appreciation for the work that had been done so far and agrees the tracking system will improve efficiency. They would like staff to bring this back in a year as an update. No action was taken. E. COUNCIL DECLARATION OF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Councilmember Smukler requested a report exploring and reviewing options for a Council financial subcommittee with a citizen’s advisory committee to provide oversight during budgeting process; Mayor Irons and Councilmember Johnson concurred. Councilmember Smukler requested the citizen’s petition submitted at the January 13, 2015 meeting for intersection control at Pacific & Main be submitted to the Public Works Advisory Board for review, and then brought Council. Councilmember Smukler requested a report on the use of integrated pest management to reduce pesticide application. He would like to review the cost/benefit to implement such a process. Councilmember Johnson concurred “as time allows.” Councilmember Smukler requested a discussion of safety issues at the intersection of San Jacinto & Main Street and review of 2008 Resolution related to this issue; Mayor Irons and Councilmember Johnson concurred. Mayor Irons requested a historic resource analysis, staff agreed to explore the cost of such a study and bring back for discussion. Mayor Irons requested a legal review and analysis of why State Parks located within the city limits do not pay TOT; staff will investigate and provide memo to Council. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:25 p.m. Recorded by: Dana Swanson City Clerk