SAN JUAN BAUTISTA CITY COUNCIL REPORT
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
6:00 P.M.
for definitive documents see city hall minutes
1. Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call Mayor Tony Boch, Vice Mayor Andy Moore, Councilmembers Jolene Cosio and Robert Lund, Councilmember Rick Edge Absent. Also present; City Manager Roger Grimsley, Assistant City Planner Matt Leal, City Clerk Linda McIntyre, Deputy City Clerk Trish Paetz, and City Treasurer Chuck Geiger.
2. Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda
Business owner Larry Gerbrandt Of Rare Light spoke on the issue of the ambulance speeding through town on Third Street. He was concerned for the safety of children. He also noticed that at the Antique Fair that there was no access point to his business. The City Manager responded that he and the Asst. Planner will contact the Rotary Club to make sure that they understand. CM Cosio responded that the Rotarians felt they had left two spaces for access. Merchants have first choice of right-of-way.
3. Presentations, Informational Items and Reports
Monthly Financial Statements – Treasurer’s Report
City Treasurer Chuck Geiger said that this was the first month of the new fiscal year and there will soon be an update. There is a positive profit on Enterprise funds. Overall Cash balance is positive. The actual budget the Enterprise Revenue is up and the expenses were up. The City Manager said Supplemental Water Project compliance was responsible for the large increase. The project is complete. Councilmember Cosio noted the of the Firehouse construction, $63,000 has been expended. The Firehouse is 75% complete. Estimated about $22,000 to finish.
B. Library Report
No Comments
C. Fire Chief’s Report
Hollister Fire Chief reported that the contract was going well. he said that responses have been very quick. Fifteen of San Juan’s crew completed the Drivers Qualification. HAZMAT and other trainings are scheduled for the near future. The Mayor asked about the hiccup with Hollister Human Resources requiring physicals completed. The process is quicker than is has been. Vice Mayor asked when individuals will be taken off of San Juan’s books. When are they sworn in as reserves and they are transferred. He notes the overtime to resolve the problem. The Chief reported that he forecast that it will be completed by the end of October. Putting 56 people through the physical process all at once was a burden to the system. It is being fixed. He said that it takes about a week to get the results. The physical baselines must be done. The Deputy City Clerk asked for a roster of San Juan firefighters.
D. Sheriff’s Report: Monthly Activity
The City Manager noted that there was more activity particularly the traffic. There were 10 alarm responses and 4 tows and a commercial burglary.
Public Works Report – City Manager Grimsley
The City Manager noted that there was a water main broken out on San Juan Road. The pipe crosses the San Andreas Fault. The Supplemental Water Project is awaiting testing at the Water Treatment Plant. The Pickup involved in the accident cost the City $5,000. On the Supplemental Water project the water in the purple valve system will not be discharged into San Juan Creek. 180,000 gallons a day is going out into the Creek. Councilmember Cosio asked if there was an estimate on how the wells are doing. She noted that in dry years there are often problems. The City Manager note that the city is using well #2 more which has higher salt content.
F. Code Enforcement Report – Assistant City Planner Matt Leal
Asst. City Planner Matt Leal noted that the city followed up on the weed abatement the city city and received no response. The city cleared the weeds themselves. He sent a letter to the owner of the storage building where the stray cats are living. The city will take action if there is no response. At another address there was contact with the management company which was responsible for cleaning up the refuse of a previous tenant. There was a comment about people going through the recycling cans. The City Attorney responded that he thought there might be a law addressing that. He will check in to that for the City. It was discussed that Recology discourages people from doing this.
City Planner Report – City Manager Roger Grimsley
The Assistant Planner Matt Leal was keeping an eye on the Brewery building. The carriage house was dismantled and the paper was taken off of the roof. The paper and plywood was stored and will be used to rebuild. It is taking more time due to the effort to save the materials. He hoped to get the building dismantled before the winter rains and backfill the basement so there is no hole. Councilmember Cosio asked if it was a safety issue not having a fence around the whole project. The City Manager shared the concern and
City Manager Report
Fire HOuse construction is progressing the County and the City resolved an issue on tax income and the agreement. The Tax Sharing agreement is being worked on trying to identify the issues to come to completion. It will be available to any property owner to apply for annexation. The Fire Contract the Fire program county-wide is positive for San Juan.
Public Meetings and Committee Reports
Councilmember Cosio reported that AMBAG has moved forward with the Metropolitan Transportation Plan. A Tri-County survey was completed. The majority of respondents drive alone in cars. Younger respondents were more inclined to move aware from cars. Improving public transit and making driving more expensive. The three county’s supported protecting farmland and open space. The Cal Energy Commission has funded a project to facilitate the building of fast-charging electric car stations. If a housing project has more than 100 units it would trigger the building of electric car charging stations. Municipalities are encouraged to use electric vehicles in their fleets. She noted that EV would mean less gas tax to improve roads. The State government and National governments are pushing to have have 50 miles a gallon standard by 2025.
Councilmember Lund said that there were some issues with CALFIRE that they were trying to address at the Fire Committee. Mayor Boch said that the next Council of Governments meeting they will be discussing mediation results about Hwy 156. The Neighborhood Watch meeting had a presentation by Al de Vos on gangs. He said that more people are getting involved. Remember, do not confront anyone!
Letter from LAFCO about a meeting on Thursday Sept 19 at 6pm to explain what LAFCO does. The City of San Juan stepped up and paid them so that they would not go unpaid. The firefighters were appreciative.
4. Consent Items
A. Approve Affidavit of Posting Agenda
B.Waive Reading of Ordinances and Resolutions on Tonight’s Agenda Beyond Title
C. Approve Minutes for the May 21, 2013 Regular Meeting
D. Approve Minutes for the June 18, 2013 Regular Meeting
4D pulled for consideration
4A.B.C. approved . approved
5. Action Items
A. Consider Resolution 2013-XX Approving a Settlement Agreement Between the City of San Juan Bautista and San Benito County Regarding Payment by County to City of Disputed Property Tax Administration Fees (“PTAF”)
The City Manager reported that this was from a dispute brought by city of ALhambra vs County of Los Angeles. This negotiation resulted in $24,000 being awarded to the City from the County. To be paid within 10 days of passing.
Resolution Passed
B. Consider Proposal to Increase Community Hall User Fees for Non Profits
The City Manager said the the cost recovery of the Community Center involves wear and tear and needed to establish reasonable fees. A survey of similar facilities showed no special rates for non-profits. The City is asking $200 yearly cleaning deposit and $25 a day for events. The private sector pays $500 plus the cleaning deposit. The user fees have been down due to low usage by private parties. Vice Mayor Moore and Councilmember Cosio were designated to contact the non-profits to see what can be worked out by next council meeting.
Tabled
C. Consider Request by Seniors Council for Representative
The Deputy City Clerk reported that she had received a response from Mary Edge who would serve as the San Juan Representative. The Council appointed Mary Edge.
6. Discussion Items
A. General Plan
The City Manager researched the task of updating the General Plan which expires in 2015. He and the Asst. Planner just needs to be massaged and developed. There are elements which need to be brought up to date and included. The previous General Plan in began in 1995 adopted in 1998. $71,000 price tag for the sam process as the city accomplished for $58,000. Second year Cal Poly Masters students are interested in working with the city. Under the professor with experience. They plan on it being a 9 month process. First 3 months, gathering input, fine tuning. They would also work on the Environmental Review Report. The cost from the Cal Poly project would be $36,000 and the EIR would be less. They are asking for 4 payments of $9000. They want a group of 12-15 members for the Citizens Advisory Group to be assembled by the end of September. The Manager felt the cost was manageable mainly because it is in installments. The Planning Commission is already doing some work on the Sphere of Influence. The Mayor asked about the Housing Element. The Asst. City Planner said that once it has been received and improved it will not need to be redone. The Housing Element is on a four year cycle. All of the Elements will need to be massaged and land use is the most difficult and controversial. The City Attorney suggested that the City have a presentation made with a joint session with the Planning Commission. He also suggested that the City Manager get estimates from other firms for comparison. CM Cosio suggested that the MIssion, the State Parks, and the Strategic Planning Commission. it was consensus that there be a meeting on Sept 3 a joint meeting with the Planning Commission. Asst. City Planner Leal will set this up.
B. Consider RFP for Legal Representation
Vice Mayor Moore asked this to be on the agenda. He asked that all of the contractors submit RFP. Vice Mayor Moore felt that the City Attorney was not comfortable with the conflict with the Hollister representation. Councilmember Cosio said that she was not familiar with the contract and thought that the city should look at it. Councilmember Lund said that the city was caught without representation and it is something that needs to be addressed right away. Mayor Boch said that he has been approached by a couple of other law firms. The City Attorney said that their contract is on an interim basis. The City Attorney said that he could not talk to the city about the Fire Agreement because of his interim contract with Hollister. The Council discussed whether to ask for RFPs from other law firms. The City Clerk noted that there is institutional knowledge with Wellington Law Firm. She suggested that it would cost more money to restrict attorneys not to represent anyone else. It was indicated that the city would have had to pay a large amount to engage another firm. The City Manager suggested waiting for another month to see what happens in Hollister. The City Manager was directed to prepare an RFP for legal services in January.
C. Consider Request by COG for Representative to Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Asst. City Planner Leal has been asked for a representative to COG’s committee from San Juan to represent the city. The committee meets 4 times a year. Anyone interested should contact him soon. He will fill-in until someone is found. Staff was directed to post the request.
7. Comments
A. City Council
Councilmember Cosio reported that Wednesday there would be a meeting at St. Francis Retreat for Pinnacles Tourism Retreat. She hoped that someone from the San Juan Committee was also attending. Vice Mayor Moore says that his daughter saw the City Manager sweeping the streets and said “the city got a good deal with Roger”.
B. City Manager
City Manager said the the Hollister Downtown Association is pulling together a way-finding program and they are asking for a signage program to help have a uniform program for the county and communities. Hollister will pick up 70% of the cost, 20% the county and San Juan’s portion would be 10%, abut$2400. He thought it might be a good idea. He had looked into other ways to create signs and the prices were much higher for only four signs.
C. City Attorney
No Comments
D. Asst. City Planner Leal Enjoyed his wedding!
8. Meeting Adjourned