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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 2004-10-25 - Special Meeting 215 City Council, Special Meeting Council Chambers 777 Cypress Avenue Redding, California October 25, 2004 4:00 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pohlmeyer with the following Council Members present: Cibula, Kight, Mathena, and Stegall. I Also present were City Manager Warren, Assistant City Manager Perry, Assistant City Manager Starman, Deputy City Manager Bachman, Interim City Attorney Frediani, Assistant City Attorney DeWalt, Development Services Director Hamilton, and City Engineer Tippen. AGREEMENT - Design modifications to the Sports Complex soccer fields; and RESOLUTION - Appropriating Park In-Lieu funds for same (P-050-600-200/P-050-690/B-130-070) Assistant City Manager Perry recalled that the City Council at its regular meeting of June 1, 2004, approved $100,000 to plan for construction of the Sports Complex soccer fields and directed staff to determine who would manage the fields. He advised that local soccer leagues have expressed interest in managing the fields and staff believes it is more appropriate given the fact that they will be using the fields. He related that the proposed design consultants, Purkiss Rose-RSI and Crane Architectural Group, are recommended,by staff because they designed the original park and can provide design continuity at a lower cost and more expeditiously. He added that the soccer fields will be designed as a stand- alone operation managed by a non-profit organization. Mr. Perry recommended that the City Council authorize staff to enter into design contracts with Purkiss Rose-RSI and Crane Architectural Group in a combined amount not-to-exceed $230,955. He also recommended that a resolution be adopted appropriating an additional $200,000 in Park In-lieu fees for design costs. I Council Member Kight asked if the fields will be designed in such a way that the City would be able to manage the operation in the event the non-profit group was unable to continue management. Mr. Perry responded that the City or another non-profit group would be able to step in and manage the operation. He explained that Big League Dreams (BLD) (a for- profit organization) would be precluded from management due to the process utilized in securing tax-exempt bonds for a non-profit group to manage the fields. He speculated, however, that BLD.might be able to pay a bond penalty and then take over management of the fields if necessary. In response to Council Member Stegall, Assistant City Manager Perry advised that the $200,000 funding appropriation would not be a loan but could be repaid when the bond issue is approved. City Manager Warren inteIjected that when the Parks, Trails, and Open Space Master Plan was adopted, it was determined that development fees would repay a $7.5 million bond issue that would allow early construction of many projects. He recalled that $5.5 million of that bond issue was to be used for the soccer fields and $2 million for other parks projects. Council Member Cibula inquired as to the status of negotiations for management of the soccer fields. Mr. Perry stated that preliminary negotiations are underway and added that completion of the fields is anticipated by the end of2005. I MOTION: Made by Council Member Kight, seconded by Council Member Mathena, authorizing staff to enter into design contracts with Purkiss Rose-RSI and Crane Architectural Group for a combined amount not-to-exceed $230,955; and adopting Resolution No. 2004-170, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Redding, approving and adopting the 81 st amendment to City Budget Resolution No. 2003-103 appropriating $200,000 for the design of the Sports Complex soccer fields for fiscal year 2004-05. The Vote: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: Council Members - Cibula, Kight, Mathena, Stegall, and Pohlmeyer Council Members - None Council Members - None Council Members - None 10/25/2004 216 Resolution No. 2004-170 is on file in the Office of the City Clerk OMBUDSMAN TO THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT - Report (A-050-122) . City Manager Wwren recalled that many studies of the operational process of the Development Services Department have been performed over the years in an attempt to provide the best service possible. Throughout these studies, it has been ascertained that employees of the Development Services Department strive to provide quality customer service. He recognized staff's efforts and patiens::e throughout these studies and believed that the problems and issues raised are inherent to the challenges surrounding community growth and change. The hiring of an Ombudsman was the result of these studies and Mr. Warren thanked John Sabol for providing this service for the last six months. Development Services Director Hamilton related that after a six month review, Mr. Sabol prepared a written report entitled "Reco~mended Service Enhancements for the Development Review Process." Within this report, Mr. Sabol recommended the following: 1) schedule meetings between staff and project proponents earlier and more frequently in the, development process; 2) provide better documentation of meeting results by both City staff and consultants representing project applicants; 3) encourage the increased use of handouts outlining the permitting processes and application requirements; 4) provide additional training opportunities for the development community and staff, and create opportunities for regular dialogue between members of the development community and Engineering, Planning, and Building Division staff; and 5) track and coordinate projects more efficiently with a comprehensive computerized project tracking system. Mr. Hamilton concurred with the findings of the report adding that the Department continues to push to do the things Mr. Sabol outlined. Mr. Hamilton pointed out that available resources will drive staff's ability to implement the recommendations. I John Sabol, Ombudsl11an for the City, thanked the City for the opportunity to serve and advised that during the process he found that different ~oups needed varying types of assistance. The first group was comprised of average citizens reporting problems such as a damaged curb or a problem with a neighbor. These required minimal assistance and in most cases the problem was resolved. The second group was professional builders, developers, and/or engineering firms priIl!arily requiring open dialogue. Mr. Sabol advised that the majority of his time was spent with those il).-between, consisting of small bll;siness owners who, for the most part, operated on a frugal budget. He found it was difficult for them to understand and navigate the process, and they experienced difficulty hiring a professional to assist them. He believed th~t providing this group with assistance would eliminate many compl~ints. Mr. Sabol added. that the role of the Development Services Department is tenuous and conflict will always be an undesired and inevitable part of the equation. I Council Member Kight thanked Mr. Sabol for his assistance over the last six months but observed that the majority of the recommendations are common business practices and should be followed by staff. He suggested that the recommendation regarding the computerized tracking and coordination of project systems be addressed at the next budget meeting. In response to Council Member Cibula, Mr. Hamilton advised that the computerized tracking system would cost approximately $350,000 for implementation and software and carry an annual price tag of $70,000 to $100,000. Mr. Warren explained that the Ombudsman position handles most complaints that would have been directed to the administrative area where the City Manager, Assistant City Managers, and Council would have been required to address these complaints. I Council Members qbul~ and Stegall expressed interest in extending the position but would like ,more information before making a decision. They asked for a more d~tailed job description and an accounting of cost savings. Council Member Kight recalled that the Zucker Report recommended that an Ombudsman be utilized for six months to identify problematic areas. He pointed out the irony of the Ombudsman determining that the City needed an Ombudsman and believed that all employees of the City should serve as ombudsmen. Mr. Kight believed the position is a luxury the City cannot afford at this time and opined that resources exist withinjthe City to address this type of work. He added that if problems exist within the City that require someone working 25 hours a week to resolve, it could be indicative of another type of 10/25/2004 I I I 217 problem. Mayor Pohlmeyer valued the work performed by Mr. Sabol and questioned that if the position is eliminated would the strides made in improved customer service be lost and old problems begin to resurface. He suggested that staff return to Council and provide a firm recommendation regarding the necessity of this full-time position or a recourse for handling the work and who will be responsible to address citizen complaints and issues. Mr. Warren clarified that the City CouI?-cil is directing staff to prepare a more detailed report containing the following information: 1) detailed job description and responsibilities of an Ombudsmanlbusiness liaison/customer liaison, 2) the ramifications of eliminating the Ombudsman position, 3) how the work will be done if the position is eliminated, 4) the feasibility of a part-time position, 5) feedback from other City departments on how they could utilize the position, and 6) cost savings realized by City departments and the community if the position is retained. It was the consensus of the City Council that staff be directed to prepare a detailed report regarding these issues and return at the regular meeting of November 16, 2004. UPDATE ON MAJOR PROJECTS - Cypress Bridge Replacement Program (S-070-050-050) City Engineer Tippen advised that 65% of the design plans for the Cypress Bridge Replacement Project (Project) have been received from T. Y. Lin along with an updated cost estimate and proposed aesthetic elements. He stated that Northstate Resources, under separate contract with CH2M Hill, is performing the environmental process and it is anticipated that the environmental document will be circulated in November or December 2004, with estimated completion in the Spring of2005. He related that Project construction should begin in Summer or Fall of2006. Mr. Tippen advised that due to escalating costs within the state construction industry and environmental constraints, the estimated Project cost has risen from $30 million to $40 million. He related that a wide range of alternatives are under investigation and it is hoped that less expensive methods of construction can be found. Mr. Tippen presented slides depicting some of the aesthetic elements proposed for the Project. He pointed out that these elements are eligible for federal grant assistance because of the other capital projects within the Cypress corridor such as City Hall and the fact that aesthetic elements are called for within the General Plan. He added that there will be a number of public workshops to receive public input throughout the process. Mr. Tippen related that 50,000 vehicles travel over the Cypress Bridge each day making it the most heavily traveled arterial north of Sacramento. Although it is currently operating at a marginally adequate "Level of Service C", without the proposed improvements, he said it will drop to "Level of Service F" in the future, which is unacceptable. In response to Council Member Stegall's concerns regarding cost, Mr. Tippen advised that there is a $20 million cap for grant funding on the typical bridge, but this project also qualifies for an additional "High Cost" bridge program that has a fluctuating grant amount determined by the number of bridges requesting funding in a given year. Mr. Tippen said that information received indicates that the City may be the only applicant for authorization of construction funds next Fall which could result in a grant for the full project amount. No action was required on this informational item. RESOLUTION - Approving PARS enhanced retirement benefits for specified bargaining units (P 1 00-050/P-1 00-050-070/P-1 00-050-1 00/P-1 00-050-120/P-1 00-050-124) Deputy City Manager Bachman explained that the proposed resolution to provide Public Agency Retirement System (PARS) enhanced retirement benefits formalizes the previous Council approval regarding this employee benefits package. Mr. Bachman recommended adoption of the resolution approving PARS for specified bargaining units. 10/25/2004 218 MOTION: Made by Council Member Stegall, seconded by Mayor Pohlmeyer, adopting Resolution No. 2004-171, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Redding, adopting the Public Agency Retirement System (PARS) Plan and defined contribution retirement enhancement plans for employees whose Employment Agreement or Memorandums of Understanding provide for participation, as part of the City of Redding Retirement Program, effective January 1, 2005. The Vote: AYES: Council Members - Cibula, Kight, Mathena, Stegall, and Pohlmeyer NOES: Council Members - None ABSTAIN: Council Members - None ABSENT: Council Members - None I Resolution No. 2004-171 is on file in the Office of the City Clerk At the hour of 5:00 p.m., Mayor Pohlmeyer announced that the City Council would adjourn to closed session to discuss the following: Closed session pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.8 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR Property described as follows: Parcell: Assessor's Parcel No. 113-230-003 (427 Buckeye Terrace) . Property Owner: Harold Rodriguez, Jr. etal Parcel 2: Assessor's Parcel No. 114-080-033 (1289 Deodar Way) Property Owner: Nathan Frisch. . Parcel 3: Assessor's Parcel No. 113-210-004 (255 Lost Lane) Property Owner: John M & Kathleen M. Frank Trustees of the Frank Family 1993 Rev. Trust Assessor's Parcel No. 113-210-013 (4321 Dogwood Lane) John M & Kathleen M. Frank Trustees of the Frank Family 1993 Rev. Trust Assessor's Parcel No. 113-210-018 (466 Buckeye Terrace) Todd Brown Assessor's Parcel No. 113-210-019 (460 Buckeye Terrace) Todd Brown Assessor's Parcel No. 114-080-008 (3291 Keswick Dam Road) Ricardo & Rosalinda Ongaco Assessor's Parcel No. 114-070-006 (1155 Lake Blvd.) TiqlOthy & Ellen Page Assessor's Parcel No. 114-070-002 (1200 Lake Blvd.) Ju~nita Grace Rittenhouse Tr Assessor's Parcel No. 114-080-017 (1350 Lake Blvd.) Distressed Merchandise Surplus Assessor's Parcel No. 114-060-032 (1081 Lake Blvd.) Joann Marie Fields Assessor's Parcel No. 114-240-039 (3500 & 3550 Santa Rosa Way) Wayne Rowland Assessor's Parcel No. 114-240-033 (3555 Santa Rosa Way & 3511 & 3527 Lake Forest Drive Dale & Jacquelyn Severson Assessor's Parcel No. 113-050-018 (998 Lake Blvd & 3495 Santa Rosa Way) Property Owner: Robert & Verna Payne Parcel 15: Assessor's Parcel No. 113-030-003 (960 Lake Blvd) Property Owner: Steven Hansen Agency Negotiator: Assistant City Manager Starman Under negotiation: T~rms and Price (C-070-010) Parcel 4: Property Owner: Parcel 5: Property Owner: Parcel 6: Property Owner: . Parcel 7: Property Owner: Parcel 8: Property Owner: Parcel 9: Property Owner: Parcel 10: Property Owner: Parcel 11: Property Owner: Parce112: Property Owner: Parcel 13: Property Owner: Parcel 14: 10/25/2004 I I 219 Closed session pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.8 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR Property on Park Marina Drive identified as Assessor's Parcel Numbers: 102-110-001 through 102-110-002 102-110-014 102-120-015 102-150-010 through 102-150-013 102- 220-001 through 102-150-008 102-220-010 through 102-220-013 102-220-015 through 102-220-020 102-230-053 through 102-230-073 I Agency Negotiator: City Manager Warren and Assistant City Manager Starman Negotiating parties: City of Redding and George Kutras, Christopher Kutras, and Demetra Kutras Under negotiation: Terms and Price (C-070-010) Closed session pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957: PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT Title: City Attorney (A-050-050 & P-l 00-060-000) At the hour of 6: 13 p.m., Mayor Pohlmeyer reconvened the Special Meeting to open session and advised there was no reportable action regarding both property issues. He reported that with regard to the item of Public Employment Title: City Attorney, the City Council, by unanimous vote, appointed Rick Duvernay of La Mesa, California, as the new City Attorney effective January 3,2005, with an annual salary of$150,000. There being no further business, at the hour,of 6:15 p.m., Mayor Pohlmeyer declared the meeting adjourned. APPROVED I ATTEST: ~d, City Clerk / '1 I 10/25/2004