HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Minutes 2007-05-07SRCC Minutes (Regular) 05/07/2007 Page 1
IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL, MONDAY, MAY 7, 2007 AT 8:00 P.M.
Regular Meeting:
San Rafael City Council
Also Present: Ken Nordhoff, City Manager
Gary T. Ragghianti, City Attorney
Jeanne M. Leoncini, City Clerk
OPEN SESSION — COUNCIL CHAMBER — 7:00 PM
Mayor Boro announced Closed Session item.
Present: Albert J. Boro, Mayor
Paul M. Cohen, Vice -Mayor
Barbara Heller, Councilmember
Cyr N. Miller, Councilmember
Absent: Gary O. Phillips, Councilmember
CLOSED SESSION — CONFERENCE ROOM 201 - 7:00 PM — File 1-4-1a
Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation
Government Code Section 54956.9(a)
Case Name: Tim McGinlev v. Citv of San Rafael
SF-WCAB Case Nos.: SRO 121982; SRO 121987
City Attorney Gary Ragghianti announced that no reportable action was taken.
2. INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES: - FILE 7-4
The following new employees were introduced to the City Council by Bob Brown, Community
Development Director and Leslie Loomis, Interim Human Resources Director:
Michael Lantier, Fire Prevention Inspector II, DJ Heckler, Code Enforcement Officer, Greg Fortune,
Code Enforcement Officer and Pam Waterstone, Employee Benefits Analyst.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS OF AN URGENCY NATURE:
Taco Vendors and Trucks: - File 100 x 9-1
Eric Fransen, Vice -President, Bahia de Rafael 4-Plexes Association, stated he had received several calls
from members of his community complaining about Taco trucks parking in front of their property. While
legally parked on the street, they tended to park longer than their allotted fifteen minutes, due to the nature
of the processed food they cook. Based on police priorities, etc., he noted it could be up to two and a half
hours before the trucks are moved. Mr. Fransen stated that customers line up on private property blocking
sidewalks and making it difficult for cars to maneuver, causing a traffic hazard. He requested that the City
Council direct staff to reconsider the zoning for the use of these rolling restaurants and relegate these
vendors to commercial only zones. He submitted photographs of two such trucks at the same intersection,
with people lined up on both sides.
Mayor Boro directed Community Development Director Bob Brown to investigate and report back to the City
Council and Mr. Fransen. Mr. Brown indicated that Code Enforcement would work with the Police
Department on the issue.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilmember Heller moved and Councilmember Miller seconded, to approve the Consent Calendar, as
follows:
ITEM
3. Approval of Minutes of Joint Special Meeting of the
San Rafael City Schools, the City of San Rafael, and
the Dixie Elementary School District, on March 14,
2007; Minutes of Special City Council Meeting on
April 16, 2007; and Minutes of Regular City Council
Meetings on April 2, 2007 and April 16, 2007 (CC)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Minutes approved as submitted.
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 05/07/2007 Page 1
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 05/07/2007 Page 2
4. Call for Applications to Fill One, 4 -Year Term on the Approved staff recommendation:
Design Review Board Through the End of June, 2011, a) Called for applications to fill one,
Due to the Expiration of Term of Brent Dickens, 4 -year term on the Design Review
Architect (CC) - File 9-2-39 Board, to expire the end of June,
2011;
5. Call for Applications to Fill Two, 4 -Year Terms on the
Planning Commission Through the End of June, 2011,
Due to the Expiration of Terms of James Atchison and
Jeff Kirchmann (CC) - File 9-2-6
b) Set deadline for receipt of
applications for Tuesday, June 12,
2007 at 12:00 Noon in the City
Clerk's Office, City Hall, Room 209;
and
c) Set date for interviews of
applicants at a Special City
Council meeting to be held on
Monday, June 18, 2007,
commencing at 6:00 p.m.
Approved staff recommendation:
a) Called for applications to fill two,
4 -year terms on the Planning
Commission, to expire the end of
June, 2011;
b) Set deadline for receipt of
applications for Tuesday, June
12, 2007 at 12:00 Noon in the City
Clerk's Office, City Hall, Room
209; and
c) Set date for interviews of
applicants at a Special City
Council meeting to be held on
Monday, June 18, 2007,
commencing at 6:30 p.m.
6. Acceptance of Affirmations of Confidentiality of Closed Accepted Affirmations of
Sessions for Jim Schutz, Assistant City Manager and Confidentiality of Closed Sessions
Nancy Mackle, Economic Development Director (CC) for Jim Schutz, Assistant City
— File 9-1-2 Manager and Nancy Mackie,
Economic Development Director
7. Resolution Approving the Reorganization of the City
Manager's Department (CM) —File 9-3-11
9. Resolution in Support of Full Funding for the State of
California Public Library Foundation (Lib) —
File 9-3-61
10. Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Publish a
Request for Proposal for an Automated Red Light
Photo Enforcement System and to Select the Most
Responsive and Qualified Proposal by Use of
Competitive Negotiation (PD) — File 9-3-30
RESOLUTION NO. 12237 —
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE
REORGANIZATION OF THE CITY
MANAGER'S DEPARTMENT
RESOLUTION NO. 12238 —
RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT FULL
FUNDING OF THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA'S PUBLIC LIBRARY
FOUNDATION
RESOLUTION NO. 12239 —
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO PUBLISH A
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR AN
AUTOMATED RED LIGHT PHOTO
ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM AND
SELECT THE MOST RESPONSIVE
AND QUALIFIED PROPOSAL BY
USE OF COMPETITIVE
NEGOTIATION
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 05/07/2007 Page 2
12. SECOND READING AND FINAL ADOPTION OF
ORDINANCE NO. 1849 — "An Ordinance of the City
Council of the City of San Rafael Amending Chapter
11.50 of the San Rafael Municipal Code to Increase
the Monetary Limit for Public Works Projects that May
be Bid Using Informal Bidding Procedures, and to
Clarify Certain Bidding Procedures" (PW) —
File 9-3-40 x 9-1-2
13. Resolution Authorizing Temporary Closures of
Downtown City Streets to Accommodate the Great
American Blues & Barbeque Festival Event on
Saturday, September 15, 2007, from 7:00 a.m. —
9:00 p.m.: (RA) - File 11-19
1. Fourth Street from Cijos Street to A Street
2. Lootens Place from City Parking Structure
Entry to Fifth Avenue
14. Resolution Defining Median Income for the Below
Market Rate Program and Authorizing Amendments to
Below Market Rate Rental Agreements (RA) -
File 229
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 05/07/2007 Page 3
Approved final adoption of
Ordinance No. 1849.
RESOLUTION NO. 12240 —
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF CITY
STREETS FOR THE 2ND ANNUAL
GREAT AMERICAN BLUES & BBQ
FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY,
SEPTEMBER 15, 2007 FROM
7:00 AM TO 9:00 PM
RESOLUTION NO. 12241 —
RESOLUTION DEFINING MEDIAN
INCOME FOR THE BELOW MARKET
RATE PROGRAM AND
AUTHORIZING AMENDMENTS TO
BELOW MARKET RATE RENTAL
AGREEMENTS
AYES COUNCILMEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Miller and Mayor Boro
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Phillips
ABSTAINING: COUNCILMEMBERS: Miller (from minutes of Sp. Jt. Meetinq of 3/14/07
only, due to absence from meeting)
Cohen (from minutes of 4/16/07 and item #12, due to
absence from meetinq on 4/16/07)
The following item was removed from the Consent Calendar at the request of staff to enable review of
changes made:
8. SUMMARY OF LEGISLATION AFFECTING SAN RAFAEL (CM) —FILE 116 x9-1
Mayor Boro stated that as this item related to SB 964, to which changes had been made, staff
requested that no action be taken this evening, rather it would be returned to the City Council in two
weeks with a recommendation as a result of these changes.
Councilmember Heller moved and Councilmember Cohen seconded, that the item be removed from
the agenda at the request of staff.
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
Cohen, Heller, Miller and Mayor Boro
None
Phillips
The following item was removed from the agenda for discussion at the request of Mr. Ivaldo Lenci:
11. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH ALCALDE &
FAY TO SECURE FEDERAL FUNDS TO DREDGE THE INNER AND OUTER CHANNELS OF THE
SAN RAFAEL CANAL (PW) — FILE 4-3-467 x 12-10
Ivaldo Lenci, San Rafael resident, stated he believed it was a waste of money to contract with this
outside firm with regard to dredging the San Rafael Canal and he questioned the 3.6 mile waterway
distance referred to in the staff report, believing it to be only one mile. He indicated that it should not
cost more than $360,000, @ $6 per cubic yard, to dredge the whole area. Mr. Lenci stated that as
private property owners and yacht clubs were dredging their own properties, $4 million was a waste
of City money. He suggested that before hiring an outside firm, the clout of Senators Feinstein and
Boxer, etc., should be used, and he noted it was a federal obligation to dredge the canal.
Mayor Boro explained that the $4 million plus figure was submitted by the Corps of Engineers. The
outer canal was last dredged approximately 8 or 9 years ago and the inner canal approximately 4
years ago and they were definitely silting up, especially the outer canal. He indicated that this firm
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SRCC Minutes (Regular) 05/07/2007 Page 4
was used the last time because even with two representatives in the Senate and one in Congress,
more than that was needed to obtain an allocation such as this. Although it was "the obligation of the
Corps to do it" the Corps would not do anything without some congressional input, and this firm had
been very effective in securing the funds in the past.
Mayor Boro stated that recently the representative from Congress, who chairs a sub -committee on
this effort, toured the canal; however, the City still did not have the money. Mayor Boro strongly
recommended to the City Council to proceed. He pointed out that the cost was $5,000 monthly for
the next six months, approximately $30,000, to hire the consultant, which he believed was worth it to
secure $4,350,000.
Councilmember Cohen moved and Councilmember Heller seconded, to adopt the Resolution.
RESOLUTION NO. 12242 — RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH ALCALDE & FAY TO SECURE FEDERAL
FUNDS TO DREDGE THE INNER AND OUTER CHANNELS OF
THE SAN RAFAEL CANAL (FOR 8 MONTHS COMMENCING ON
MAY 1, 2007 AND ENDING ON DECEMBER 31, 2007; UPON
MUTUAL AGREEMENT AND APPROVAL OF CITY MANAGER,
TERM MAY BE EXTENDED FOR AN ADDITIONAL PERIOD OF
ONE YEAR)
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Miller and Mayor Boro
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Phillips
PUBLIC HEARING:
15. Public Hearinq — CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION APPROVING LOANS TO THE SAN
RAFAEL REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY IN AN APPROXIMATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT TO
EXCEED $5 MILLION DOLLARS ($5,000,000) RELATING TO LONE PALM COURT
APARTMENTS (840 "C" STREET) (RA) — FILE (SRRA) R-372 x SRCC 13-16 x 229
Mayor Boro declared the public hearing opened.
Economic Development Coordinator Stephanie Lovette stated that this item was an extension of a
loan the Redevelopment Agency made to the Lone Palm Court apartments. She explained this was
60 units located on "C" Street and the apartments had actually been built on Redevelopment Agency
land. There is a ground lease with the owner of the building and they pay lease payments.
Ms. Lovette reported that the Agency issued tax exempt notes and entered into a loan agreement
with Bank of America to fund the note. This note is now due and payable and the developer and
bank desire to extend it for an additional ten years. They are also adding $250,000 to the original
note which the owner plans to use to make rehabilitation improvements on the project.
Ms. Lovette explained that prior to this evening's action, approximately four years ago the Agency
approved the change of ownership of this development from a general partnership with Mr.
Samuelson and Mr. Schafer to a Limited Liability Corporation, and the documents for this bond would
be with the Limited Liability Corporation. She indicated that the Agency still had a personal
guarantee from the two gentlemen who were the general partners and this would also be part of the
documents.
There being no comment from the audience, Mayor Boro closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Miller moved and Councilmember Cohen seconded, to adopt the Resolution.
RESOLUTION NO. 12243 — RESOLUTION APPROVING LOANS TO THE SAN RAFAEL
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY IN AN APPROXIMATE PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED $5 MILLION DOLLARS
($5,000,000) RELATING TO LONE PALM COURT APARTMENTS
(840 C STREET)
AYES:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
Cohen, Heller, Miller and Mayor Boro
NOES:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
None
ABSENT:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
Phillips
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 05/07/2007 Page 4
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 05/07/2007 Page 5
COUNCIL CONSIDERATION:
OLD BUSINESS:
16. CONSIDERATION OF REPLACEMENT OF CURRENT TELEPHONE SYSTEM: (MS) —
FILE 4-3-88 x 2-9-28 x 9-3-87
a) RESOLUTION APPROVING THE AGREEMENT FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEM AND
INSTALLATION SERVICES FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $384,102.40 WITH PLANIT
SOLUTIONS, INC. AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE
AGREEMENT;
b) RESOLUTION AWARDING THE PURCHASE OF TEN NETWORK SWITCH DEVICES FROM
CDW-G, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $42,185.03, AND
c) RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A LEASE WITH OPTION
TO PURCHASE TELEPHONE AND ASSOCIATED NETWORK EQUIPMENT WITH LASALLE
BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AND AUTHORIZING CERTAIN ACTIONS IN
CONNECTION THEREWITH
Having interests in certain telephone companies, Mayor Boro recused himself, due to potential
conflict of interest, handed the meeting over to Vice -Mayor Cohen and left the Council Chamber.
Information Technology Manager Mark Rinkel stated that similar to how previous technology projects
had been handled for the past few years, there was a high degree of employee involvement. He
indicated that in evaluating the current telephone system over a year ago, it was realized there was a
high degree of decentralization and very little management of the system; therefore, billing was
centralized in the Information Technology Department and a very serious look was taken at how
telephones were handled.
Having evaluated available technology and found a better solution, Mr. Rinkel reported that the
telephone team proposed that the City Council approve actions to move from a Centrex based
system (a system supplied by the telephone company) to a Voice Over IP (VOIP) system to be
leased to own, and operated by the City with the assistance and support of the manufacturer's
representative.
Regarding ease of use, Mr. Rinkel stated the telephone team spent quite some time evaluating the
features, and more importantly, how easily these features were accessed and utilized. He indicated
that current telephones throughout the City varied from a lot of features and functionalities to very
few, and staff was considering a standardized system across the board with just four models of
telephones, making it much easier to support.
Mr. Rinkel noted the following:
• Multiple line appearances would be available with enhanced call handling.
• Intercom between extensions and conference calls, which would make it much easier for
individual users to build their own conference calls or take existing callers to their phone and
place them in a conference call;
• Integration with the City's existing PC (Personal Computer) network, which was not available
in the past. Capabilities on telephones could be extended to computers via email integration
with voicemail into a single inbox rather than having to go to two different places to check
messages;
• Better system management — Mr. Rinkel displayed a voluminous monthly long distance
phone bill, which was difficult to understand. Mr. Rinkel stated that merely paying the bill
was not necessarily the best way to manage the system; however, the new system would
have much better management of calls placed. He indicated that department level reports
would identify usage areas, which currently was impossible without a lot of staff time. The
process would be automated with the new system.
With regard to financing the system, Mr. Rinkel explained that the VOIP technology was a system
that would save money. While the phone company would still be involved by providing dial tone, he
stated that instead of paying for each and every line going to each desk, trunks with multiple lines
would be installed and the system would handle the routing within the City organization. He
indicated that by cutting out this cost, the funds could be used for financing the system, with a return
on investment of five years. Saving approximately $70,000 annually would pay off the debt incurred
in financing the system.
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 05/07/2007 Page 5
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 05/07/2007 Page 6
Noting the new system would remain attached to the telephone company, Councilmember Heller
inquired as to how service would be maintained in the event of an emergency should power be lost.
Having spent a great deal of time reviewing the scenarios of power loss, Mr. Rinkel explained that
the telephones would not be powered at desks, rather through the network in the back room, and as
City Hall has its own generator, dial tone would not be lost. He noted emergency sites also had this
capability, together with battery backup in the event of power loss. Mr. Rinkel stated that in the event
of losing the link between City Hall and Public Works, for instance, intelligence was built into the
system to allow each site to exist on its own with very low loss of functionality.
Noting benefits to the EOC (Emergency Operations Center) designations, City Hall and Public
Works, Mr. Rinkel explained that one of the benefits of controlling the City's own system was being
able to route calls depending on the location of the EOC. Should City Hall, for instance, be
unavailable, the same telephone numbers could be used at the alternate site, Public Works, without
even having talked to the telephone company.
Councilmember Heller requested further information on LaSalle Bank.
Ken Nordhoff, City Manager, explained that in his former life he used LaSalle Bank quite often. He
indicated they are a nationally known firm doing a lot of competitive bidding around leasing of
equipment, vehicles, etc. He stated they typically were an organization that competed very well in
these types of projects. Mr. Nordhoff noted that the telephone team looked at several financing
alternatives and LaSalle Bank came out on top.
Mr. Nordhoff explained for Councilmember Heller they were more of a lending institution than a bank.
Thanking Mr. Rinkel for this particular system, Councilmember Miller was pleased with the
conferencing feature, which would enhance the workplace and allow staff to be in constant
communication as a group without losing a lot of time.
Councilmember Cohen inquired as to how the 911 issue could be resolved with this system.
Mr. Rinkel explained that by picking up a phone on this system in a City building and dialing 911, the
address and specific floor level would be displayed. He further explained that there were capabilities
of identifying the actual office making the call; however, a little more management was involved with
more overhead. He indicated that the system would provide as good if not better service than
currently.
Councilmember Cohen commented that traditional land lines calling 911 deliver an address, whereas
cellphones do not, and currently are routed to the Highway Patrol. He believed home based VOIP
systems do not deal with the issue very well and he was glad to note that this system allowed
resolution of this issue.
Mr. Rinkel noted a member of the telephone team, a Police Department Dispatch Supervisor who is
used to dealing with systems that did not feed the address, was very involved with the vendor
demonstration process to ensure this new system worked.
Councilmember Heller stated she was pleased to be moving forward with this new telephone system.
a) Councilmember Heller moved and Councilmember Miller seconded, to adopt the Resolution.
RESOLUTION NO. 12244 — RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FIVE YEAR AGREEMENT
FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEM EQUIPMENT, INSTALLATION
SERVICES, AND ANNUAL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE FOR
AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $384,102.40 WITH PLANIT
SOLUTIONS, INC. AND AUTHORIZING CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT
AYES:
COUNCILMEMBERS: Heller, Miller and Vice -Mayor Cohen
NOES:
COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT:
COUNCILMEMBERS: Phillips
ABSENT/
COUNCILMEMBERS: Mayor Boro, due to potential conflict of interest.
DISQUALIFIED:
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 05/07/2007 Page 6
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 05/07/2007 Page 7
b) Councilmember Miller moved and Councilmember Heller seconded, to adopt the Resolution.
RESOLUTION NO. 12245 — RESOLUTION AWARDING THE PURCHASE OF TEN
NETWORK SWITCH DEVICES FROM CDW-G, INC. IN THE
AMOUNT OF $42,185.03
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Heller, Miller and Vice -Mayor Cohen
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Phillips
ABSENT/ COUNCILMEMBERS: Mayor Boro, due to potential conflict of interest.
DISQUALIFIED:
c) Councilmember Heller moved and Councilmember Miller seconded, to adopt the Resolution.
RESOLUTION NO. 12246 — RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND
DELIVERY OF A LEASE WITH OPTION TO PURCHASE
TELEPHONE AND ASSOCIATED NETWORK EQUIPMENT
WITH LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AND
AUTHORIZING CERTAIN ACTIONS IN CONNECTION
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Heller, Miller and Vice -Mayor Cohen
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Phillips
ABSENT/ COUNCILMEMBERS: Mayor Boro, due to potential conflict of interest.
DISQUALIFIED:
Mayor Boro returned to the Council Chamber.
NEW BUSINESS:
17. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO
EXECUTE THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL'S RESPONSE TO THE GRAND JURY REPORT
ENTITLED "HOGTIEING: A LETHAL RESTRAINT?" (CA) — FILE 269 x 9-3-16
Assistant City Attorney Gus Guinan reported that in a report dated February 14, 2007, the 2006-2007
Marin County Grand Jury made several findings and recommendations in the report entitled
"Hogtieing: A Lethal Restraint?" He noted that those findings and the recommendations were listed
on page 1 of this evening's staff report.
Mr. Guinan stated that the Grand Jury's report addressed the issue of "Hogtieing: a maximum
restraint" in which the legs of a criminal suspect are bound, pulled up behind and joined to the
suspect's bound hands, while the suspect is lying prone on the ground. He indicated that the report
criticizes this procedure and was sent out to all of Marin County's towns and cities, as well as the
Chiefs of Police of all towns and cities in the County.
Indicating that San Rafael Chief of Police Odetto's response was timely, made a little over a month
ago, Mr. Guinan stated that the City Council's response, under Penal Code §933, is due with 90 days
or by May 15, 2007.
Mr. Guinan noted that a Resolution containing the Grand Jury's specified form of response was
attached to the staff report and a copy of a revised version of an addendum was distributed to the
City Council this evening.
Mr. Guinan stated that Council action to approve this item this evening would satisfy the
requirements of the penal code. He noted Mayor Boro would sign it and the City Clerk would forward
it to the Grand Jury foreperson and the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court, as required.
Indicating that the general theme of the response was that the City Council and Mayor as elected
public officials do not involve themselves in the day to day operations of the law enforcement branch
of city government, Mr. Guinan stated, however, that they do support their Police Department and
had the utmost confidence in their ability to properly perform all law enforcement techniques and
procedures.
Mr. Guinan stated he would be glad to answer questions or take any suggestions or comments as to
revisions.
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 05/07/2007 Page 7
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 05/07/2007 Page 8
Councilmember Miller moved and Councilmember Heller seconded, to adopt the Resolution.
RESOLUTION NO. 12247 — RESOLUTION APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO
EXECUTE THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL RESPONSE TO THE 2006-
2007 MARIN COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT ENTITLED
"HOGTIEING: A LETHAL RESTRAINT?"
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS:
Cohen, Heller, Miller and Mayor Boro
None
Phillips
18. a) Association of Bav Area Governments (ABAG) General Session: - File 111
Councilmember Cohen reported that as the City's representative, he attended the meeting of the ABAG
General Session on Thursday, April 19, 2007, at which the ABAG budget was adopted with a small
increase, an adjustment bringing up the level for cities of a particular size; however, not affecting San
Rafael. He believed ABAG was becoming more interesting on some of the discussions, moving
towards discussion concerning regional issues among cities, as opposed to bringing in lecturers. He
noted a mayors' panel, including mayors from San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland and Petaluma,
discussed how they were dealing with issues of growth, most of which related to ABAG's vision
process in terms of how the region would deal with the pressures of growth. Awards were given for
Smart Growth — mixed use projects near transit.
Councilmember Cohen stated that with this vision process, while still having to deal with housing
allocation numbers, ABAG was moving towards a system of incentives, i.e., should the community
want a transit oriented development and give density bonuses because of that, ABAG would evaluate
ways to bring additional resources to that community as an offset. He noted Community Development
Director Bob Brown had written to the City Council previously with a question about whether or not
there was any area or project within San Rafael where a priority development area designation should
be evaluated. However, he believed from a regional perspective, it was a prudent approach to
encourage communities that were prepared to do this and provide some reward for trying to go above
and beyond and meet the regional demand.
b) Water Transit Authority: - File 258 x 9-1
Reporting that she attended the Community Advisory Committee meeting of the Water Transit Authority
(WTA) on April 18, 2007, Councilmember Heller stated she was amazed at how rapidly and far they
were moving, and she believed that their ferries would be seen on the Bay quite soon. Spare Vessel
funding was being worked on and she noted that two vessels were being built currently at a cost of $17
million, with delivery scheduled for October, 2008 and January, 2009. Councilmember Heller
commented that the ferries were designed to lead the way to cleaner engine operations with a new
selective catalytic reduction system. Sites currently being studied included: Redwood City, South San
Francisco and Hercules.
Councilmember Heller noted that with the passage of Infrastructure Bond 1 B, approximately $1 billion
was being earmarked for disaster preparedness. She noted that at this moment, the WTA had no
authority to undertake disaster emergency response; however, they were working with Senator
Peralta's office to find funds to help improve the ferry terminals. The WTA pointed out that in case of
disaster, over 40 boats were available to transport people across the Bay; however, approximately 20
only were docked at the San Francisco ferry building.
Mayor Boro stated Berkeley was the other area being evaluated for a ferry boat. He agreed South San
Francisco would be the first, Redwood City second, with Berkeley third. Noting a lot of interest around
the Bay, he reported that Port Sonoma was also being considered, the permitting process for which
would come from the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors; however, he believed that until
environmental clearance was given, not much more work would be done.
c) Leaque of California Cities, North Bav Division, General Membership Meetinq: - File 9-11-1
Councilmember Heller reported that she, Jim Schutz and Nancy Mackle attended the League of
California Cities, North Bay Division, General Membership meeting. Jason Dickerson, Principal Fiscal
and Policy Analyst for the Legislative Analyst's office, gave a presentation, the first part of which dealt
with income tax revenue. They believed revenues had been running $106 billion below projections;
however, checks from April tax returns totaled approximately $1.3 billion more than forecast and with
strong corporate tax payments factored in, officials expected that the state would end the month about
$240 million ahead for the first ten months of the current fiscal year. Overall revenues for the month
were running approximately 6% of last year, which she realized could change rapidly.
Councilmember Heller noted Mr. Dickerson's main presentation dealt with the fiscal state of healthcare
and other post employment benefits as they related to public agencies. Noting San Rafael was moving
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 05/07/2007 Page 8
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 05/07/2007 Page 9
forward with the process, she believed this was a wake-up call to a lot of the very small communities
that not much time was left to begin to change their systems.
There being no further business, Mayor Boro adjourned the City Council meeting at 8:46 p.m.
JEANNE M. LEONCINI, City Clerk
APPROVED THIS DAY OF 2007
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
SRCC Minutes (Regular) 05/07/2007 Page 9