City of San Juan Bautista
City Council Report
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
6:00 P.M.
311 Second Street, San Juan Bautista
please refer to City Council Minutes for definitive documents
1. Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call Mayor Tony Boch, Vice Mayor Andy Moore, Councilmembers Rick Edge, Jolene Cosio, and Robert Lund present. City Manager Roger Grimsley, City Attorney George Thacher and City Treasurer Chick Geiger and Deputy Clerk Trish Paetz also present.
2. Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda
No public comments
3. Presentations, Informational Items and Reports
Proclamation for Clean Air Month – Richard A. Stedman, MBAPCD
The representative from MBAPCD reported that he was trying to pay attention to the air impacts on San Benito from the surrounding areas.
Mayor Boch read a Proclamation declaring May to be Clean Air Month
Councilmember Cosio thanked the Air Quality Board for the electric car charging Station in San Juan
Proclamation for Water Awareness Month – Shawn Novack, Water Resources Assn.
Shawn Novack accepted the Proclamation and noted that this is a low rainfall year. All San Juan citizens are eligible for water evaluation by the Water Resources Assn. The Mayor read the proclamation declaring May as Water Awareness Month.
Mr. Novak also noted that there is currently a $150 rebate for people who replace their pre-1999 water softener and $300 for those who choose to remove their water softeners altogether. It was noted that the Mayor has a very low water usage front yard.
Monthly Financial Statements – Treasurer’s Report
The City Treasurer Chuck Geiger reported that the 9th month of the yearly budget cycle the general fund minus $50,000 as compared to $61,000 last year in regard to the enterprise fund due to lower revenues and higher contract costs. Cash flow was positive $106,000. The revenues are covering costs and reserves. He noted that the financials are being reviewed almost daily by the City Manager and the City Accountant. Councilmember Cosio noted that there was a charge by the City Treasurer and the City Manager reported that there is no money going to him, as his compensation is rolling back to the City.
Library Report
No comment
Fire Chief’s Report
The total calls were 28, 13 in San Juan, 15 in the County. There were no mutual calls. There was a pickup with an explosive device that they were called to at Bixby and Duncan. They were thinking that they might want to get training in this. There are currently 31 volunteers and all are active.
Sheriff’s Report: Monthly Activity
No report due to the phone difficulties with Santa Cruz. The Mayor noted that there needed to get more people at the Neighborhood Watch. Deputy Brown noted that people are still active via their phone calls. Councilmember Cosio asked about doing the Neighborhood Watch online. Deputy Brown said that it is still being pursued. Councilmember Cosio asked about derelict vehicles on the streets. She noted that when she was in Seal Beach they have a 48 hour limit on parking and she said San Juan did not seem to be able to enforce 48 days. The Deputy noted that the tree trimming companies have cooperated and removed their trucks. Councilmember Edge asked if there was anything he was able to say about the explosion, he said no.
Public Works Report – City Manager Grimsley
He reported that there is a bit of staff shortage in the City’s Maintenance Crew due to a health issue until the injured worker can return. There may be a need to hire additional help. The existing staff is carrying the load meanwhile. Councilmember Cosio asked about the lift station on Lang Street and was told that there was a spill and the GreenLine was there to address the problem. Councilmember Cosio noted how quickly the problem was addressed. The City Manager noted that Greenline’s truck could pump more than the City’s. There was conversation about having a Gate Valve exercise program.
Code Enforcement Report – City Manager Grimsley
The City Manager noted that sign violations have continued to be a problem he noted that the Planning Commission will be making some changes to the sign ordinance with the input of the Business Community. He noted that the tree removal at 104 The Alameda has gone well the property owner has been working with the City.
Richard Ponce reported that the building was the first duplex in San Juan. There was a Gas Station run by the Johnsons. Councilmember Cosio wanted to address the concerns about street blockage and difficulties with motorcycles in town. He noted that he had witnessed a motorcyclist without a helmet. He noted that he didn’t think that San Juan wanted to become known as a motorcycle haven which would affect the local economy. Mayor Boch noted that the barbecues on the street have been stopped.
City Planner Activity Report – City Manager Grimsley
There have been a couple of applications, including the Brewery, which has been working with the Planning Commission and Historic Resources Board. And there is an application to address encouraging agricultural-based businesses which will go to LAFCO. The D’Ambrosia project is in the process of reviewing the numbers to see if that project may be going forward soon due to the improving economy. The D’Ambrosia family has been very cooperative with the City.
City Manager Report
The City Manager reported that the most important priorities would be the water project, next would be the Fire contract and the third would be the budget. He is looking for a scoping session in which the council members would participate in communicating what their priorities would be. Councilmember Cosio reported that there was a letter from CALTRANS to add a green sign at Hwy 129 pointing for the City. CALTRANS has responded that they could not meet that request but that there was the possibility of a Main Street Historic District sign that the City might pursue. The Manager will be meeting with Valerie Eglund to consider course. The city has found that there was a question about whether the The City Attorney noted that the County receives a flat fee for infractions. He noted that it was do-able but the fees would need to be raised. He offered to bring back a resolution to increase the fines at the next meeting. The County Court has charge, and adds a fingerprinting charge. Councilmember Edge asked if there was anyway to get out of the fees and the City Attorney replied that there was not. He noted that the counties.
There was a question from a resident about where the parking would be affected. He was told that no changes were being made to the parking ordinances at this time, this was just to change the process.
The City Attorney will bring a resolution to the next meeting.
Public Meetings and Committee Reports
Councilmember Cosio attended a meeting about the Hwy 25 intersection at Hwy 101 and the Hwy 101 stretch to Hwy 129. She was interested in the alternative route from Hwy 25 to Bloomfield Rd to Hwy 152. Vice Mayor Moore reported that the Fire Contract was approved and he attended the Hwy 25 renaming meeting. Councilmember Lund reported his attendance at the Motorcycle Rally. The Fire Contract meeting will be tomorrow. The Highway Patrol has said that they would respond if called into town. Mayor Boch was appointed by Supervisor Botelho to a committee planning the alternative route from Hwy 101 to Hwy 152. He said that the Water Board meeting was promising. Councilmember Edge asked what had happened with the group which had asked for money to help fund the legal work challenging the Hwy 156. The Farm Bureau idea was to take the traffic off of Hwy 101 to Hwy 152.
4. Consent Items
A. Approve Affidavit of Posting Agenda
B. Waive Reading of Ordinances and Resolutions on Tonight’s Agenda Beyond Title
C. Approve Resolution 2013-XX for Street Closure
D. Approve Resolution 2013-XX Ordering Preparation of an Engineer’s Report for Fiscal Year 2013-14 for Valle Vista Landscape and Lighting Maintenance Assessment District No. 1
E. Approve Minutes for February 19, 2013 Meeting
Items ABD approved
Item C Councilmember Cosio had difficulty seeing where the closure would be. She expressed her belief that the least closure of streets possible. She asked that there was a need to reduce street closure if the event was not going to be able to fill the closed space. She believed that the City Manager was capable of handling the problem. City Manager noted that he had a problem with the closures of The Red Ribbon Run to close Third Street from 7:00am until 11:00am. He noted that there had been a problem with property owners not being able to get out of their driveways. He asked that it be pulled off and he will talk with the organizers. The DIrector of the Double Road Race said that he had no problem with starting on Second Street. He said they had wanted it to be different than the Red Ribbon Run, but have no problem using Second. He said that the races could be moved to earlier in the day. This is a two race event. Participants would be running both races. He wanted to use Third Street due to the historic aspect. He wanted to have 1 hour and 45 minutes after the first race for the runners to rest. There was discussion about the accessibility for the breakfast restaurants. The main hotels will be those used in San Juan. He is trying to bring as many people as possible into the city. Students from Anzar HIgh School will be volunteers and will benefit from funds. The organizer will meet with the City Manager and work out the specifics and it will be brought back next month. The other two closures were approved, The Antique Fair and the Car Show.
Councilmember asked for a change to her comments about the AMBAG projection of 0% growth for San Juan. She said that was a changeable number.
Item E Approved with corrections
5. Action Items
Consider Approval of Fire Station Addition & Provide Staff Authorization to Request Proposals
The City Manager reported that the negotiations are ongoing and the authorization of the improvement of the Fire Station would be dependent upon the approval of the contract with the City of Hollister with the County. Any formalization of the contract will come back to the Council for approval.There was support for the county’s involvement in the improvement. Vice Mayor Moore suggested that it be approved contingent with the approval going through as a demonstration of support. The City Manager reported that they had a budget of about $65,000 for the project. There are volunteers who are offering labor and materials to make the project happen. Councilmember Lund suggested that there are volunteers fighting over the couch and it would be good to support them. The City Attorney suggested three parts The Environmental piece, to authorize CIty Manager to accept bid proposals.
Approved
Consider Ballot Decision on League of California Cities Bylaws Amendments
Approved
Consider Request by Seniors Council for Representative
Yvonne Novak, President of the Seniors Council, serving San Benito, Southern Santa Clara, Northern Monterey, Santa Cruz Counties. The Agency receives $1.8 million to spend on Senior Services. There are 8,000 senior citizens in San Benito County. They would like to see someone from San Benito County serve as a representative. They meet once a month. They rotate between Santa Cruz, Monterey or San Benito County. It can be a councilmember or a member of the community who would report to the council. The Advisory Board does not require that nominees be 60 years of age. Mayor Boch suggested that the council post the request and see if anyone in the community as interested. The next meeting is in May in San Benito County and she suggested that someone attend to find out what it is about. She encouraged participation to promote San Benito County. Richard Ponce suggested that meeting be noticed so that the public could attend. It was agreed to notice the meeting and see who was interested.
Staff was directed to post the meeting
D. Recycled Water Improvement Project (SEP R3-2012-0040): Update of Milestones & Provide Staff Authorization to Request Bids for Pipeline Work on Third Street.
The City Manager reported that the City was on course to meet the milestones, he asked the council to improve the plans and request bids for the work.
Approved
6. Discussion Items
A. Property Abatement Update 301 7th Street
The City Manager reported that he had taken photos of the property. The hot-tub is still there, and looks like a big bird bath. The owner has said that she can not physically do the work. Councilmember Lund expressed his frustration at this not being addressed. He asked what the City would charge to remove it. Councilmember Cosio suggested that the City offer to remove it and charge her. Councilmember Lund suggested that allowing her to take as much time as they have encourages others to ask for the same treatment. The City Manager suggested that he speak with her.
Richard Ponce spoke to the issue agreeing with Councilmember Lund. Vice Mayor Moore suggested going ahead with the abatement. The City Manager noted that there was no action they could take on it at this time. It would be addressed at the next meeting
205 The Alameda
The City Manager noted that the boat and trailer are still there behind a temporary fence. The City Manager suggested that he did not believe that this was appropriate and that they needed to construct an actual fence. The owner has tried to encourage his tenants to respond, but they are still not complying. The City Manager will address the issue with the owner. Councilmember Cosio suggested the code enforcement company address the problem.
Budget Review Time Schedule
The City Manager offered dates and suggested April 30 as a budget kickoff time when the Council could look at projects that they think need to be addressed. It was agreed to have the meeting at 6:00pm. They other dates will be determined later.
Comments
A. City Council
Councilmember Cosio noted that May is National Historic Preservation Month. The Historic Resource Board is working on acknowledging residents who have done restoration. She also noted that the economic climate is improving. Councilmember Lund reported that the volunteers brought in about $1000 for the Firefighter’s Association to be used to fund volunteer’s training. He will be meeting with the Gold Coast Car Club to work out activities and is hoping to get started on the improvements to the Fire Station. Mayor Boch reported that “Lunch with the Leaders” featuring City Manager Roger Grimsley will be the speaker, sponsored by the San Juan Committee.
City Manager
The City Manager commented that he wanted the council to review water connections to property outside of the City Limits. He wanted to have a policy not to allow the connections. He also was concerned about the usage of the Community Center by Non Profits that are not quite covering the wear and tear on the Community Center. Councilmember Lund reported that there was a report that Non profits food permits were going to be reduced and the restaurant fees would go up to cover it.
City Attorney
No comment
8. Adjourned