HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2005-06-06
IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL, MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2005 AT 8:00 P.M.
Regular Meeting: Present: Albert J. Boro, Mayor
San Rafael City Council Barbara Heller, Vice-Mayor
Paul M. Cohen, Councilmember
Cyr N. Miller, Councilmember
Gary O. Phillips, Councilmember
Absent: None
Also Present: Rod Gould, City Manager
Gus Guinan, Assistant City Attorney
Jeanne M. Leoncini, City Clerk
OPEN SESSION – COUNCIL CHAMBER – 7:00 PM
Mayor Boro announced Closed Session items.
CLOSED SESSION – CONFERENCE ROOM 201 – 7:00PM
1. a) Conference with Real Property Negotiator (Government Code Section 54956.8)
Property Street Address: 632 Irwin Street (700 DuBois Street)
Agency Negotiators: Nancy Mackle, Economic Development Director
City of San Rafael, Tulipani Trust and Georgia A. Stapleton
Best Buy and Jim Derryberry
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
b) Conference with Real Property Negotiator (Government Code Section 54956.8)
Property Street Address: 12 & 16 Ritter Street
Agency Negotiators: Nancy Mackle, Economic Development Director
Negotiating Parties: City of San Rafael, Brovelli Trust, Bottarini Trust
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
Assistant City Attorney Gus Guinan announced that no reportable action was taken on items
1. a) and 1. b).
At the conclusion of City Council meeting:
c) Conference with Labor Negotiators (Government Code Section 54957.6)
Negotiators: Ken Nordhoff, Lydia Romero
Employee Organization:
San Rafael Firefighters’ Association
Mayor Boro announced at 10:10 p.m. that no reportable action was taken on item 1. c).
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS OF AN URGENCY NATURE: 8:05 PM
None
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmember Miller moved and Councilmember Phillips seconded, to approve the Consent Calendar, as
follows:
ITEM RECOMMENDED ACTION
2. Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of Minutes approved as submitted.
Monday, May 16, 2005 (CC)
3. Resolution and Second Amendment to RESOLUTION NO. 11765 –
RESOLUTION APPROVING AND
Agreement Between City of San Rafael and
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
George Hills Company, Inc. for General Liability
TO EXECUTE A SECOND
Claims Administration Services (CA) –
AMENDMENT TO AN AGREEMENT
File 4-10-323 x 4-10-308
WITH GEORGE HILLS COMPANY
FOR LIABILITY CLAIMS
ADMINISTRATION SERVICES (JULY
1, 2005 TO JUNE 30, 2008)
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 06/06/2005 Page
1
5. Resolution Establishing a Legalization Incentive RESOLUTION NO. 11766 –
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A
Program, Reducing Planning Application Fees for
LEGALIZATION INCENTIVE
Outdoor Dining Facilities on Public Property in
PROGRAM, REDUCING PLANNING
the Downtown Area for a Six Month Period (CD)
APPLICATION FEES FOR OUTDOOR
– File 9-10-2 x 10-2 x 9-3-85
DINING FACILITIES ON PUBLIC
PROPERTY IN THE DOWNTOWN
AREA FOR A SIX MONTH PERIOD
6. Summary of Legislation Affecting San Rafael Approved staff recommendation:
AB 1612 Cigarettes: Litter – Pavley –
(CM) – File 116 x 9-1
SUPPORT
SB 942 Cigarettes: Pollution: Litter –
Chesbro - SUPPORT
7. Resolution Authorizing Participation in the Local RESOLUTION NO. 11767 –
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
Government Sharing Program (AB63) with the
PARTICIPATION IN THE LOCAL
Franchise Tax Board via Agreement No.
GOVERNMENT SHARING PROGRAM
CO424192 (MS) – File 8-13-12
(AB63) WITH THE FRANCHISE TAX
BOARD VIA AGREEMENT NO.
C0424192
9. Resolution Approving Use of and Acceptance of RESOLUTION NO. 11768 –
RESOLUTION APPROVING USE OF
Grant Funds in the Amount of $79,416.00 for
AND ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT
Arrest Policies and Enforcement of Protection
FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF
Orders (PD) – File 9-3-30
$79,416.00 FOR ARREST POLICIES
AND ENFORCEMENT OF
PROTECTION ORDERS
10. Resolution Authorizing Economic Development RESOLUTION NO. 11769 –
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
Director to Amend the Existing Professional
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Services Agreement with Joanne Webster, San
DIRECTOR TO AMEND THE
Rafael BID Director, Through June 30, 2006
EXISTING PROFESSIONAL
(RA) – File 224
SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
JOANNE WEBSTER, SAN RAFAEL
BID DIRECTOR, THROUGH JUNE 30,
2006
11. Resolution Authorizing Temporary Closure of RESOLUTION NO. 11770 –
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE
Fourth Street from A Street to B Street for the
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF A CITY
Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center Free
STREET FOR THE CHRISTOPHER B.
Outdoor Screening of the Movie Best in Show
SMITH RAFAEL FILM CENTER
from 5:00 p.m. – 12:00 Midnight on Sunday, July
OUTDOOR SCREENING OF ‘BEST IN
10, 2005 (RA) – File 11-19
SHOW’ FROM 5:00 P.M. TO 12:00
A.M. ON SUNDAY, JULY 10, 2005
(Fourth Street from “A” Street to “B”
Street)
12. Resolution Amending Resolution No. 11352 RESOLUTION NO. 11771 –
RESOLUTION AMENDING
which Pertains to Compensation for Part-time,
RESOLUTION NO. 11352 WHICH
Temporary, Intermittent and Seasonal Workers
PERTAINS TO COMPENSATION FOR
(MS) – File 7-8-6
PART-TIME, TEMPORARY,
INTERMITTENT AND SEASONAL
WORKERS
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Miller, Phillips and Mayor Boro
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
The following item was removed from the Consent Calendar at the request of Councilmember Cohen, for
discussion:
4. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT WITH TRANS GENERATION CAPITAL,
LLC FOR THREE PARKING PERMITS IN THE THIRD & “A” ST. PARKING GARAGE (CD) –
FILE 4-10-348
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 06/06/2005 Page
2
Councilmember Cohen requested clarification that under this agreement, market rate would be
paid for these spaces in any given year. Chad Lynn, Parking Services Manager, stated the
language reflected the market rate based on the rate set as part of the normal fee schedule and
he confirmed that it applied to three parking spaces.
Regarding the permit condition requiring parking in perpetuity for the SRO use, and noting the
agreement was time limited, Councilmember Cohen inquired how this would work out.
Assistant City Attorney Gus Guinan stated this was attempting to place a realistic limit,
understanding that the condition was in perpetuity. He indicated the hope was that the original
intent of the condition could be fulfilled at some time in the future, i.e., more permanent parking
could be found. Mr. Guinan stated the agreement indicated that it would terminate in the future
should those spaces be located, and he noted on its face, there was an inconsistency with the
SRO in perpetuity requirement.
Community Development Director Bob Brown stated that should the SRO units be still occupied
in 2050 and this agreement expired, the planning authority was available to look to the property
owner to find three alternate spaces on private property, or if the only option was still the City
and a garage was still available, etc., they could enter into another agreement with the City.
Councilmember Cohen confirmed that by indicating this was a 45-year agreement, the planning
ran in perpetuity and was not changed.
Councilmember Cohen moved and Councilmember Miller seconded, to adopt the Resolution.
RESOLUTION NO. 11772 – RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH TRANS
GENERATION CAPITAL, LLC, FOR THREE PARKING
PERMITS IN THE THIRD AND ‘A’ STREET PARKING
GARAGE
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Miller, Phillips and Mayor Boro
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
The following item was removed from the Consent Calendar at the request of Howard Council, for
discussion:
8. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING NEW ONE-YEAR AGREEMENT FOR FIRE PROTECTION
AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES WITH MARINWOOD COMMUNITY SERVICES
DISTRICT (FD) – FILE 4-10-130 x 9-3-31
Howard Council stated he was a past member of the Marinwood Community Services District
Board of Directors; however, was present this evening as a taxpayer. Having read the
proposed agreement he stated that as the item was on the Consent Calendar he appreciated
being permitted to address the issue; therefore, would not speak at length. Mr. Council
indicated that he would be attending the Marinwood CSD meeting tomorrow evening, Tuesday,
June 7, 2005, and would do everything possible to talk them out of ratifying the agreement.
Mr. Council explained that in 1998 while on the Board he talked with two Councilmembers and
an agreement was reached with regard to the closing of the Joseph Court Fire station, at which
time close to approximately $1 million was being spent on that station. He noted that in those
few short years this expense had been reduced to $150,000.
Indicating that he had enjoyed the years he worked with the San Rafael City Council, Mr.
Council stated he regretted having to take the action he intended to take.
Councilmember Cohen moved and Councilmember Heller seconded, to adopt the Resolution.
Mayor Boro thanked Councilmembers Cohen and Phillips and Chuck Daniels, Chair of the Fire
Commission working with City Manager Rod Gould in negotiating the agreement with
Marinwood. He thanked the members of the Marinwood Board, whom he understood were
supporting this, and believed it was in the best interest of jurisdictions to go forward and not
disrupt service to the San Rafael or the Marinwood communities. Mayor Boro stated this was
not money available in this year’s budget and would have to be addressed in the budget
hearing to take place tomorrow evening, June 7, 2005; however, staff believed it vital to try to
sustain the service, at least for this year, and attempts would be made to find a long-term
solution to meet the needs of both parties.
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 06/06/2005 Page
3
RESOLUTION NO. 11773 – RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SIGNING OF A
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE
MARINWOOD COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT
(Term of Agreement Commencing June 8, 2005 and
Terminating on June 30, 2006)
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Miller, Phillips and Mayor Boro
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
PUBLIC HEARING:
13. Public Hearing – (MS) – File 11-18 x 9-10-2 x 9-3-20 x 9-3-87
a) CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF A PROPOSED ORDINANCE REPEALING
EXISTING CHAPTER 5.60 OF THE SAN RAFAEL MUNICIPAL CODE AND
ENACTING A NEW CHAPTER 5.60 OF THE SAN RAFAEL MUNICIPAL CODE
REGARDING PARKING METER ZONES, PARKING METER RATES, AND RELATED
RULES AND REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO PARKING METERS
b) CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION SPECIFYING METERED
OFF-STREET PARKING FACILITIES OPERATED BY THE CITY AND SETTING A
SCHEDULE OF RATES FOR SUCH FACILITIES
Mayor Boro declared the public hearing opened.
Parking Services Manager Chad Lynn reported that this was the final chapter in parking rates
and the second phase of the process approved at the last Council meeting. The ordinance
contained two major areas of change:
1) Moving the meter enforcement times from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., and although there
was a revenue component to this, the 2-hour enforcement was the reason for doing so.
In working with the Chamber of Commerce and Business Improvement District, they had
requested increased enforcement in turnover in those areas, and this facilitated the two-
hour enforcement by the peak period at 10:00 a.m. rather than 11:00 a.m. Moving from
9:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. afforded an additional hour for enforcement and to move vehicles
along before the peak period of occupancy in the downtown corridor.
2) It was proposed to move from 60-cents across the board. The Fourth Street corridor
would go to 80-cents and all other areas 65-cents per hour.
Mr. Lynn reported that the resolution dealt with the off-street surface lots with meters – same
rates – adding uniformity by creating the same rates approved for off-street structures that deal
with monthly passes and special event type charges.
Regarding the differential between Fourth Street, other streets in the downtown and parking in
the metered lots, Councilmember Cohen inquired whether this would be publicized.
Responding affirmatively, Mr. Lynn indicated that exactly how the message would be relayed to
the public had not yet been decided. He reported that staff was working with the Chamber of
Commerce and Business Improvement District to inform merchants and to offer them programs
to encourage employees. Additionally, staff intended to conduct some education process. He
indicated staff’s experience had been that most public interaction happened between
merchants and customers, and a lot more could be achieved with merchants directing
customers on where to go than his office attempting to communicate directly with the public.
Mr. Lynn stated that staff spends the bulk of its time working with the merchant agencies to get
them to inform their customers on where additional parking was located. He noted that a rate
change notice would be attached to meter poles; however, aside from newspaper articles, there
was no solid plan to get that word out.
Councilmember Cohen suggested staff consider how this could be achieved, as he believed
more benefit could be gained from premium pricing on Fourth Street if people were actually
aware of it. He recognized that merchants could help convince employees to move off of
Fourth Street. In addition, if people were aware they could save money by moving off Fourth
Street, they would; however, they needed to be apprised of this fact, and to keep putting the
word out would be beneficial.
Councilmember Heller inquired how people would be notified when the ticketing process began.
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 06/06/2005 Page
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Mr. Lynn explained that the packet contained a sheet, similar to one that would be posted one
month in advance of a meter rate change, which would be attached to every meter pole.
Councilmember Heller clarified that she was referring to the change from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Mr. Lynn indicated that the same method would be used, i.e., each individual meter pole would
be posted. He noted some signage requirements would have to be met prior to this going into
August 1,
effect. Although the ordinance would take effect on actual enforcement would not
take place until the signage and notice requirements were met.
Councilmember Phillips identified the revision to the ordinance supplied in the packet.
Mayor Boro stated that perhaps people might not understand the garage was built with the
intention of getting people off Fourth Street, noting it was cheaper to park in the garage.
Without cluttering the sign, he suggested staff consider a way to craft this as part of their
message.
Concurring, Mr. Lynn stated staff also intended to do a mailing to merchants with a sample of
what validations for the garage looked like. He believed the best way to get the message out
was to use the stores people shopped in on a daily basis whereby merchants could inform their
customers of cheaper parking available close to the store.
Mayor Boro believed it counterintuitive to think it was cheaper to park indoors and this fact
should be promoted.
There being no comment from the audience, Mayor Boro closed the public hearing.
a) The title of the Ordinance was read:
“AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL REPEALING EXISTING CHAPTER
5.60 OF THE SAN RAFAEL MUNICIPAL CODE AND ENACTING A NEW CHAPTER
5.60 OF THE SAN RAFAEL MUNICIPAL CODE, REGARDING PARKING METER
ZONES, PARKING METER RATES, AND RELATED RULES AND REGULATIONS
APPLICABLE TO PARKING METERS”
Councilmember Heller moved and Councilmember Phillips seconded, to dispense with the
reading of the ordinance in its entirety and refer to it by title only, and pass Charter
Ordinance No. 1835 to print by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Miller, Phillips and Mayor Boro
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
b) Councilmember Cohen moved and Councilmember Miller seconded, to adopt the
Resolution.
RESOLUTION NO. 11774– RESOLUTION SPECIFYING METERED OFF-STREET
PARKING FACILITIES OPERATED BY THE CITY AND
SETTING A SCHEDULE OF RATES FOR SUCH
FACILITIES
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Miller, Phillips and Mayor Boro
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
COUNCIL CONSIDERATION:
OLD BUSINESS:
14. CONSIDERATION OF SAN RAFAEL’S INVOLVEMENT IN CITIES FOR CLIMATE
PROTECTION CAMPAIGN (CM) – FILE 13-1 x 9-1
City Manager Rod Gould reported that in August 2003, Supervisor Susan Adams requested that
the City Council pass a resolution committing the City to reducing greenhouse gas and
particulate emissions, and joining the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives
(ICLEI). He explained that this organization had been in existence since 1990 and sought to
create a broad coalition of local governments to improve climate conditions globally, and its
main effort was entitled “Cities for Climate Protection” (CCP). Mr. Gould noted that a number of
Bay Area cities had joined over 500 cities worldwide that were part of this campaign. The
County of Marin was a very active participant and the City of Novato, together with the towns of
San Anselmo and Fairfax had also signed on.
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 06/06/2005 Page
5
Mr. Gould stated that as the City was in its third year of financial distress, staff recommended
the Council pass on it at the time due to having to pay for the membership in ICLEI, having to
conduct an inventory of greenhouse gas emitters and defining goals for a 10-year commitment,
with subsequent staffing and identifying resources to make good on those commitments, and
the feeling was that the City was not in a position to do this at that time. Supervisor Adams
returned to the City Council on April 4, 2005, and announced she had purchased a membership
in this organization for the City of San Rafael, using County discretionary funds. Further, Mr.
Gould stated she indicated that the County had most of the information necessary to develop
the inventory of greenhouse gas emitters in San Rafael as part of a countywide study, and that
perhaps, an intern would be available to assist in putting this information together to afford a
better picture of what San Rafael does in its own City operations, as well as citywide. He
indicated that Supervisor Adams requested the City Council adopt a resolution to commit to ten
years of greenhouse gas emissions, to become certified as a green business, to support the
Kyoto Protocol and take full part in discussions regarding community choice energy
aggregation.
Indicating that staff had read the materials provided by the Supervisor and ICLEI and had met
with Melissa Royael, the project coordinator for U.S. Cities for Climate Protection, Mr. Gould
explained that no one questions the scientific basis for the concerns of a global warming or the
effects of air pollution; however, referring to the requested resolution (copy attached), Mr. Gould
stated it indicated that the City would actively support the Kyoto Protocol. While he had not
done research on the Kyoto Protocol, Mr. Gould pointed out the City’s historic practice of not
taking positions on national, foreign or international relations unless there was a direct and
immediate impact on municipal operations. He noted the requested resolution then commits
the City to participate in the CCP involving the following milestones:
Inventory of greenhouse gas emitters in the City’s operations through its buildings, fleet
and community wide;
Establish targets for reductions in these emissions;
An action plan to meet these targets over ten years;
The implementation and monitoring of the plan, together with course corrections, etc.
While it could be possible to do this inventory without overly affecting operations, if indeed most
of the information was available and an intern was available to assist, Mr. Gould stated his
concern was that to make a ten-year commitment to do this, it should be done correctly. This
meant prioritizing it against other City priorities, staffing it and making a lasting commitment to
doing it. Mr. Gould stated that given the fact the City was in the fourth year of fiscal distress
and the City Council had directed that staff focus heavily upon solving the fiscal issues and not
take on new initiatives at this time, he had talked to Melissa Royael about a modified course of
action. Because San Rafael had already taken a number of actions very consistent with those
advocated by the Climate Protection Campaign, Mr. Gould stated he had inquired whether
ICLEI could provide consulting services to San Rafael for this year as part of its membership in
the organization to demonstrate what ICLEI could do to benefit the City, and at the same time,
the City could work through its financial issues and decide whether or not San Rafael wished to
become an ongoing member of ICLEI and make the ten-year commitment. Mr. Gould reported
that Ms. Royael appeared to think this a good idea and had written up an alternative course of
action (attached) entitled “Climate Protection Initiative San Rafael Strategy.” He indicated this
would focus primarily on:
1) The City’s fleet – developing green fleet type policies. Ms. Royael would work with Andy
Preston, Public Works Director, Frank Prim’s replacement (Deputy Public Works
Director), and the garage to evaluate the management of the City’s fleet, policies – from
procurement to gas to maintenance – and ensure these were current; and
2) Buildings – to identify those buildings least energy efficient and evaluate ways to make
these more energy efficient and less costly.
Mr. Gould believed this to be an appropriate use of time and would not overly effect the City’s
work plan.
Indicating that he wished to ensure everyone was aware San Rafael was already taking a
number of actions beneficial to the environment, Mr. Gould explained:
San Rafael was home to the Marin Resource and Recovery Center, operated by Marin
Sanitary Service, which generated a tremendous amount of source reduction through
reuse and recycling in San Rafael. Currently, the City’s own diversion rate from the
landfill was over 80%, one of the highest in California, and San Rafael was working with
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 06/06/2005 Page
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Marin Sanitary Service to expand the material recovery facility which would benefit not
just San Rafael, but six other cities in Marin County.
The San Rafael Fire Department had been operating a state of the art Household
Hazardous Waste Program, again in conjunction with Marin Sanitary Service on Jacoby
Street, for a number of years. It was one of the leaders in California, was so popular it
also needed to expand, and Community Development was working with the Fire
Department and Marin Sanitary Service to expand this program to include e-waste and
other materials.
A number of City buildings had undergone re-lamping and HVAC retrofitting to conserve
energy and the City had changed over to LED traffic signals several years ago when
grants were available to do so.
Nader Mansourian, City Traffic Engineer, had done a lot of work in traffic
synchronization with state and federal grants to provide optimal energy efficiency and
minimize waiting times on arterials.
San Rafael had one hybrid vehicle in its fleet.
The City strongly supports light rail transportation between Sonoma and Marin Counties.
Mayor Boro, in particular, had been a leader on SMART (Sonoma Marin Area Rail
Transit).
San Rafael supports the north/south bike lane along the CalTrans right-of-way as part of
the Gap Closure project and the reopening of the Cal Park Tunnel for bicycle and
pedestrian use, and ultimately, light rail use.
The City operates a vanpool for its employees north of Marin County. A grant was
received a year ago which provided a van, thus reducing the number of cars on the road
daily.
San Rafael had incorporated a number of the green building concepts into General Plan
2020, including those encouraging participation in the County’s Green Business
Certification Program, alternative energy production, increased energy conservation
requirements for large single-family homes, alternative modes of transportation, mixed-
use development and resource efficiency in City operations.
San Rafael is a “Tree City USA” for the twenty-third time, with over 52,000 trees, almost
one per resident. These help absorb toxic gasses and produce oxygen. San Rafael
was also one of the few cities to obtain a grant from the state to plant more street trees
and landscaping along Belle Avenue.
The new Public Works Corporation Yard was designed with the latest computer
standards, with computer controlled lighting and climate control to save energy costs.
San Rafael had its own full service garage to maintain vehicles operating in peak
condition. Vehicles are smogged using the latest dynometer procedures.
Public Works endeavors to include bike paths and lanes in every appropriate capital
project, in conjunction with the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
The City is presently completing the latest section of the Shoreline Pathway.
Mr. Gould stated staff’s recommendation was a motion to approve the interim strategy with
ICLEI to provide assistance to the City on its buildings and with its fleet while resolving the
financial issues and learning more about ICLEI.
Marin County Board of Supervisors member Susan Adams stated she was happy this item was
being discussed this evening. She believed this project could assist in continuing to move
forward on the issue of how to protect the climate, and noted the City could feel proud of the
steps already taken. Reiterating the support the County could provide, Supervisor Adams
stated the County’s vehicles, which had been operating on diesel, were being switched over to
bio-diesel, they were in the process of increasing the amount of bio fuel being used and
evaluating how the fleet had responded, and San Rafael could benefit from not repeating the
County’s mistakes. She stated all indications were that they could at least get up to 80/90% of
bio-diesel without any untoward effect, noting the County had a bio-diesel gas tank.
Expressing pleasure at the long list of actions currently being taken by San Rafael, Supervisor
Adams believed those in attendance this evening to support this issue appreciated the City’s
consideration. She thanked the City Council for taking the time this evening to address this
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 06/06/2005 Page
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issue.
Addressing the City Council, Sue Spofford stated they especially wished to thank
Councilmember Miller for alerting them to tonight’s meeting and inviting them to speak. She
indicated that she and Kiki La Porta were co-chairs of the organization “Sustainable San Rafael”
and the members were all San Rafael residents who shared common concerns about the
environment, especially the critical issue of climate change.
Ms. Spofford stated that Sustainable San Rafael’s message was threefold:
1) They understood how tough the budget situation was and in light of that, applauded and
supported the strategy worked out by staff with ICLEI, which was a great first step.
2) They encouraged the City to take the next step as soon as possible by adopting a
resolution committing to the full five-step climate protection plan and program, believing
it important for San Rafael to take a leadership position. San Rafael sets an example,
not only for smaller cities, but for every homeowner and business.
3) They were present to help, noting there was real momentum in the County for action.
Should the City take any action on climate protection, Ms. Spofford stated it would receive
tremendous support from the community, and Sustainable San Rafael would assist in mobilizing
the support when and if needed. She thanked the City for the many policy positions already
accomplished and step-by-step, Sustainable San Rafael would be watching, waiting and
working with the City.
Kiki La Porta thanked Mr. Gould for his very thorough, logical and well analyzed report. She
stated they were present this evening to demonstrate that support for the City’s intentions, and
especially, for its actions and leadership, would meet with wide support from constituents, east,
west, north and south. She reported that on May 5, 2005, she and Sue Spofford participated in
creating and marketing a public education event called “Making Choices that Make Change –
Earth Friendly Solutions for Every Day” - the theme being “Global Climate Change as it Relates
to Individual Consumer Choices.” She indicated they expected and would have appreciated
about 50 people in attendance; however, instead, approximately 175 people were present, all
interested and concerned about climate change who wished to be more fully informed and
wanted to make everyday decisions that supported rather than challenged the environment.
Ms. La Porta stated these everyday decisions included how civic institutions were run and how
public monies were directed to be spent.
While understanding the fiscal constraints under which San Rafael was so judiciously
balancing City services, Ms. La Porta applauded the steps being taken and encouraged the City
to fully explore the benefits in human terms, as well as cost savings, that would accrue from
adopting the ICLEI resolution and from full participation in the CCP campaign.
Ms. La Porta indicated they believed the citizens of San Rafael would be willing to support
financially and at the ballot box, the commitment to moving the City into alignment with the other
US CCP cities which were taking prudent action to stem production of greenhouse gasses.
Every year actions taken by US CCP local governments cut 20 million tons of global warming
pollution and saved $400 million from reduced energy and fuel costs for local communities.
Indicating they were present to offer their support, help, professional and personal expertise,
Ms. La Porta stated that just as they were committed to making changes in their own lives to
support the environment, they were committed to helping San Rafael take its rightful position of
leadership in these efforts. She invited the City to participate in Sustainable San Rafael and let
them know how they could help. She thanked the City Council for its consideration of this very
important topic.
Roger Roberts stated that at the national level there appeared to be an inability to deal with this
issue and this was perhaps the reason for so many local cities stepping up to the plate to try to
address the issue, noting it was a perfect example of “thinking globally and acting locally.” He
applauded and supported the City’s efforts in joining the CCP and taking the first steps to
reduce global warming and the addition of greenhouse gasses to the climate.
Mr. Roberts urged the City to go a half step beyond what was recommended and proceed with
taking the inventory and getting an intern to assist with working through the analysis and
inventory process.
Being involved with the Marin Conservation League, Mr. Roberts stated that their legal counsel,
a lecturer at Dominican University, had spoken with the Chair of his department and obtained a
commitment for the dedication of a graduate student to provide this intern service. He
understood the County already had a considerable amount of data available that would make
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 06/06/2005 Page
8
the City’s job easier, together with intern assistance. For those reasons, he urged the City
Council to take that half step beyond that recommended by Mr. Gould and follow up with option
#2 by directing staff to begin the inventory process of greenhouse gas emitters in San Rafael
with the assistance from ICLEI and the interns described.
Pam Reeves, Sustainable San Rafael, thanked the City Council for considering this issue and
urged its support. Regarding the current budget crisis, she stated she would be pleased to
gather the other Sustainable San Rafael members and pass on their willingness to support and
work for the tax increase measure the City deemed wisest and most equitable across the
board.
Councilmember Miller reported that last Friday evening he and Mayor Boro attended the grand
Ecology celebration in San Francisco. He indicated that Vice-President Gore’s presentation
was delivered with passion, inspiration and was convincing regarding the fact and
consequences of global warming. He stated that it was impossible to leave the City of San
Francisco on Friday without a super charge of dedication to look at and begin to work for a
better climate. He believed this was the spirit of the City Council in taking the current small
steps, noting small steps had their way of breaking into stride. Councilmember Miller believed
the biggest terror being faced presently was global warming, which would shake the security of
the world and was happening faster than ever anticipated. While proceeding slowly at the
present, Councilmember Miller stated that a sprint would be seen in the future.
Agreeing with Councilmember Miller, Councilmember Heller stated she concurred with staff’s
position on the issue as at this point, there simply was no staff available to put together any type
of plan. She was comfortable at this time with just beginning to work in these two excellent
areas, noting a lot of work could be done planning out the vehicle fleet, and at the end of the
year evaluate the financial situation and consider the interns. She believed everyone
understood that global warming was a black cloud over the entire world and was very
frightening.
Mr. Gould confirmed that staff would return to Council next spring to report what had been
accomplished with ICLEI’s help, and based on the City’s financial circumstances, Council could
decide whether or not to adopt a similar resolution that would commit the City to the five
milestones, including doing the inventory, setting the targets and going after them over a ten-
year period.
Councilmember Phillips stated it appeared staff had done an excellent job and were
complimented by those who were in a position to assess and he expressed thanks for the well
supported recommendation.
Should resources be available now or in the fall, particularly for the inventory (without the
commitment of City staff resources), Councilmember Cohen believed it could be worth
exploring. Should Council decide to place a tax measure on the ballot, and it passed, putting
the City in a position of perhaps being able to contemplate having staff available to put together
a ten-year commitment, having the inventory either done or underway would present a jump
start on getting up to speed. Even with completion of an inventory, should the resources be
unavailable, people would clearly understand why it could not followed up at that time.
Regardless of whether or not a revenue measure was placed on the ballot, and passed, the City
would be in a situation for some time of balancing competing demands for limited City
resources. If some resources were available to allocate and Council decided to pursue this
course rather than some other choice, such as opening the library an extra couple of hours,
etc., Councilmember Cohen believed that having the inventory as a backdrop to that decision
could be helpful.
While he was in support of the staff recommendation and was not requesting anything different
be done this evening, Councilmember Cohen suggested inviting the City Manager to explore
the offer made concerning the possibility of working with Dominican University and perhaps
return to Council with some discussion about how the City might proceed on the inventory, with
the understanding he was not requesting or suggesting any commitment be made beyond an
inventory before the outcome of a vote in November, should there be one.
,
Dawn WeiszMarin County Planner, stated they had done a lot of work over the past two years
regarding gathering data, compiling a report and setting a target for emission reductions. She
indicated that it had been relatively painless, had not taken a lot of resources and in the process
of collecting data and developing their report, data from all of the cities had been included in
order to make it easier for cities to conduct their own analysis when the time came. She
confirmed data was already plugged into the ICLEI software which could be turned over. She
noted that an intern would be with them for the summer who intended to do a thesis project in
this area and who was very committed to helping with the next stage of developing an
implementation plan, and she would be available to assist San Rafael with data collection.
Expressing support for any City efforts, she looked forward to providing any assistance
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 06/06/2005 Page
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necessary.
Mayor Boro confirmed that at the recent dinner he and Councilmember Miller attended, the
point was very clearly made, both by the presentation by Vice-President Gore, and some very
telling video and slides he presented of locations in the Alps some thirty-forty years ago and
locations today where the snow had almost diminished. Similarly, in Alaska, and a large
movement of ice in the Antarctic, which was of concern. Mayor Boro stated Vice-President
Gore had a couple of slides depicting what could happen to the Coast of California, Florida in
particular, and a lot of the coastal communities in this country, as well as around the world,
were very telling if this phenomenon continued and was not abated. Indicating that the
presentation was excellent, Mayor Boro stated it was a privilege to see it and listen to Vice-
President Gore.
Mayor Boro agreed with starting with staff’s recommendation this evening and have Mr. Gould
look into the other options presented, without committing to anything. While he agreed an
intern would be great, he recognized this person would require supervision. He suggested
considering what could be done if either the person at the County or someone was available
from Dominican in the fall, and how this could be worked into the City’s plans. Noting Public
Works had lost seventeen people and issues were ever present with streets, etc., he believed
staff’s recommendation was a good one to begin with, and while proceeding, consider the next
steps.
Councilmember Cohen stated that one of the items he was reacting to was Mr. Roberts’
comment concerning participation with Dominican University. While otherwise occupied
presently, he suggested that rather than waiting a year to get started should resources be
available on a pro bono basis, the City should be open to explore this. He indicated he was
referring to a line in the City Manager’s report on page 3 that indicated it could be possible to
complete the greenhouse gas inventory without compromising City resources. Should that
prove to be true, he stated he would like to see it brought back for Council to consider.
Requesting clear direction from the City Council, Mr. Gould stated this should be either direction
to staff to find a way to do the greenhouse gas inventory with an intern, or take the staff
recommendation suggesting staff work with ICLEI to make the City’s fleet and buildings a little
more energy efficient while getting through the financial difficulties. He noted requests are
received from San Francisco State, University of California at Berkeley, Sonoma State,
Dominican University, etc., inquiring whether interns could be used to do various work with the
City; therefore, finding an intern was not the biggest issue.
Mr. Gould noted a number of cities had joined ICLEI and the campaign and were not doing a
lot, and he would not wish San Rafael to be in that position. Should the City Council decide to
do this, he favored bringing the entire package, not just the greenhouse gas inventory, rather
what it would take to set realistic targets and complete them over ten years, and what that
would take in staffing, monitoring, etc., build it into the work plan and prioritize it with all the
other City services overseen by the City Council. Should this be what Council chose, they
would do so affirmatively, and staff would commit to it, do it and do it right; however, the
piecemeal course did not make a lot of sense to him as a manager. He expressed the hope
that if Council decided to go in, it would go all in; therefore, he suggested working with ICLEI to
learn what they could do, see what value added they could bring and obtain the benefits of their
expertise for this year. As pointed out by Mayor Boro, he agreed Public Works was not fully
staffed and even doing what he suggested would be a stretch for Public Works’ staff. He noted
the Fleet Advisory Board comprised of people from all departments could meet with these
people, and a number of others could help.
Expressing the hope that the City would be in a better position next spring, Mr. Gould
suggested staff could bring the entire package at that time. Should there be a need to cut major
City services, he commented there would be no purpose in having this inventory as the City
would not be meeting its core mission.
Mayor Boro stated the City Council wished to go forward with the recommendation, with staff
staying tuned in to what else was going on, and as the year progressed and staff returned next
year, the issue of an inventory was one of the goals to be achieved. If there were ways to do
this with help being offered in the community, Council could support that, and he confirmed they
wished to accomplish staff’s recommendation this evening.
Mayor Boro thanked Supervisor Adams for bringing this issue to the City Council. He thanked
all members of the community, north, south, east and west, for being present in support of this
project, commenting that it was good to note they understood and hoped the City’s message
was getting out concerning its financial issues, and he looked forward to their assistance in
overcoming that this fall.
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Councilmember Phillips moved and Councilmember Miller seconded, to accept the report and
approve recommendation for a year of Consulting Assistance provided by ICLEI (International
Council For Local Environmental Initiatives)
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Miller, Phillips and Mayor Boro
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
COUNCILMEMBERS REPORTS:
15. None
There being no further business, Mayor Boro adjourned the meeting at 9:02 p.m. to Closed Session,
Item 1. c) in the City Manager’s Conference Room.
____________________________
JEANNE M. LEONCINI, City Clerk
APPROVED THIS ______ DAY OF __________, 2005
___________________________________
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
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