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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 1998-01-20 13 City Council, Regular Meeting City Council Chambers 1313 California Street Redding, California January 20, 1998 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag was led by Electric Program Supervisor Tom Graves. The invocation was offered by Planning Manager John Keaney. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Murray with the following Council Members present: Anderson, Kehoe, McGeorge, and Murray. Also present were City Manager Warren, Assistant City Manager Perry, City Attorney Wingate, • Development Services Director Swanson, Public Works Director Russell, Deputy City Manager Starman, Administrative Services Director Kersten, Finance Officer Strong, Planning Manager Keaney, Police Chief Blankenship, Airports Manager Dinger, Human Resources Manager Bachman, Economic Development Asset Manager Hiller, City Clerk Strohmayer, Assistant City Clerk Moscatello, and Executive Secretary Lack. • CONSENT CALENDAR The following matters were considered inclusively under the Consent Calendar: Approval of Minutes - Regular meeting of October 21, 1997 Approval of Payroll and Accounts Payable Register (A-050-100-500) It is recommended that Accounts Payable Register 13, for the period January 5, 1998, through January 15, 1998, check numbers 255003 through 255436 inclusive, in the amount of$4,624,416.85, and Payroll Register 14, check numbers 44897 through 45340 inclusive, and electronic deposit transaction numbers 445408 through 445796 inclusive, totaling $1,331,500.65 for the period December 28, 1997, through January 10, 1998, be approved. TOTAL: $5,955,917.50. Highway and Road Improvements - re Change in State policy on funding highway and road improvements (S-070-100/L-040-300/T-100-375) It is the recommendation of the Assistant City Manager that the City Council accept the report and approve the project priority list relative to recommendations to the Regional Transportation Planning Agency as outlined. Financial Report - Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (F-205-150-075) It is the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager that Council accept the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for fiscal year ending June 30, 1997. Reimbursement of Costs - Anderson/Cottonwood Transit Route 9 (RABA) (R-010-265) It is the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager that the City Council approves reimbursement of costs associated with the Anderson/Cottonwood Transit Route 9 (RABA) in the amount of $86,080 to the City of Anderson and $54,776 to the County of Shasta. Reimbursement is subject to approval of the compromise agreement by the Redding Area Bus Authority(RABA) and the Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA) as outlined in the Report to the Board of Directors of RABA for the January 19, 1998, meeting. Office Supply Vendor- Office Depot/Business Services Division (B-050-100) It is the recommendation of the Administrative Services Director that City Council approve Office Depot/Business Services Division as the blanket vendor for office supplies for the contract period February 1, 1998, through January 31, 2001. 01/20/98 14 Transactions - 4th Quarter, 1997 (B-050-100) It is the recommendation of the Administrative Services Director that City Council accept the transaction listing of items between $5,000 - $25,000 for 4th quarter 1997. Resolution - re Abandonment Application A-8-97, by the Redding Redevelopment Agency (A-010-100) It is the recommendation of the Development Services Director that Resolution No. 98-8 be adopted, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Redding declaring its intention to vacate that portion of the Canyon Creek Road right-of-way South of its intersection with Buenaventura Boulevard (A-8- 97) and set a public hearing for February 17, 1998. Activity Report - Development Services Department Monthly Activity Report for December, 1997 (A-050-122) • It is the recommendation of the Development Services Director that Council accept the monthly activity report regarding 1) Zoning, Subdivision, and General Plan Amendments; 2) Building and Population; 3) Housing Assistance and Rehabilitation; and 4) General Plan Update for December, 1997, as submitted. Award of Bid-Bid Schedule No. 3153, Solid Waste Containers& Cardboard Recycling Containers (B-050-100 & S-020-100) It is the recommendation of the General Services Director that Bid Schedule No. 3153, solid waste containers and cardboard recycling containers in 1997-98, be awarded to Consolidated Fabricators in the amount of$64,709.29, including sales tax. Resolution - re Authorizing the submittal of a Household Hazardous Waste Discretionary Grant Application (G-100-170 & P-150-050-500) It is the recommendation of the General Services Director that Resolution No. 98-9 be adopted, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Redding authorizing the submittal of a Household Hazardous Waste Discretionary Grant Application in the amount of $120,000 to the California Integrated Waste Management Board for a storage structure, cabinets, equipment, contract services and public information. Acceptance of Final Map & Improvements - Rivertrail Commons Planned Development (PD-1-93) Park Marina Drive (L-010-211-001) It is the recommendation of the Public Works Director that by minute order Council approve the final map of the Rivertrail Commons Planned Development by Americor and instruct the City Clerk to file the map with the Shasta County Recorder. Acceptance of Improvements - Churn Creek Road/Mervyn's Access Road Signals, UP-8-96 (L-010-390) It is the recommendation of the Public Works Director that by minute order Council accept the improvements of the Churn Creek/Mervyn's signals by developer, Chris Corrigan, as satisfactorily completed. Resolution Accepting Streets and Improvements - Court Street Extension (S-070-23 0/B-050-020/S-070-100) It is the recommendation of the Public Works Director that Resolution No. 98-10 be adopted, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Redding accepting for maintenance and operation the Court Street extension, Bid Schedule No. 3110 (Job No. 2041). MOTION: Made by Council Member McGeorge, seconded by Council Member Anderson, that all the foregoing items on the Consent Calendar be approved and adopted as recommended. Voting was as follows: Ayes: Council Members - Anderson, Kehoe, McGeorge, and Murray Noes: Council Members -None Absent: Council Members - None Abstain: Council Members -None 01/20/98 • 15 Resolution Nos. 98-8, 98-9, and 98-10 are on file in the office of the City Clerk. LETTER OF RESIGNATION - Paul Edgren, Redding Planning Commission (B-080-300) A letter of resignation from Paul Edgren, Redding Planning Commissioner, dated January 6, 1998, was submitted to City Council. Mr. Edgren requested that his resignation be effective January 5, 1998. MOTION: Made by Council Member Kehoe, seconded by Council Member McGeorge, to accept the letter of resignation from Paul Edgren, effective January 5, 1998. The Vote: Unanimous Ayes • PUBLIC HEARING - re Proposed Amendment to Redding Municipal Code Chapter 18.47, Floodplain Combining District (L-010-050 & L-010-500-050) The hour of 7:00 p.m. having arrived, Mayor Murray opened the public hearing regarding Redding Municipal Code Chapter 18.47, Floodplain Combining District. The following documents are on file in the office of the City Clerk: Affidavit of Mailing - Notice of Public Hearing Affidavit of Publication - Notice of Public Hearing City Clerk Strohmayer advised that no protests were received. Development Services Director Swanson provided an overview of the Report to City Council dated December 4, 1997. At its meeting of January 13, 1998, the Planning Commission recommended approval of a proposed technical revision to Chapter 18.47 of the Municipal Code, Floodplain Combining District. Mr. Swanson explained that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) finalized revisions to the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS)for the City of Redding during the summer months of 1997. These revisions address new and modified flood-elevation determinations for portions of Olney Creek and portions of Stillwater Creek south of Rancho Road. He indicated that whenever revisions are made by FEMA to a community's floodplain maps, the community is required to incorporate in its Floodplain Ordinance the date of the original map index (September 29, 1989) and a notation as to any subsequent revisions such as the one above. This action ensures the City's continued participation in the National Flood Insurance Program by recognizing the new Flood Insurance Rate Map revisions by FEMA. Mayor Murray determined that there was no one present wishing to speak on the matter and closed the public hearing. MOTION: Made by Council Member Kehoe, seconded by Council Member Anderson, that amendments to portions of Redding Municipal Code Chapter 18.47, Floodplain Combining District be approved as presented and make the following findings: 1. The project is compatible with the Redding General Plan; 2. The project will not significantly alter existing land form; 3. The project is compatible with surrounding land use; 4. The project is compatible with the code of the City of Redding, California, and approve the Negative Declaration authorized by the Development Services Department. The Vote: Unanimous Ayes Council Member Kehoe offered Ordinance No. 2205 for first reading, an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Redding amending portions of Redding Municipal Code Chapter 18.47, Floodplain Combining District, MOTION: Made by Council Member Kehoe, seconded by Council Member Anderson, that the full reading of Ordinance No. 2205 be waived and the City Attorney be instructed to read the ordinance by title only. The Vote: Unanimous Ayes 01/20/98 16 AUDIT COMMITTEE - Auditors' Communication and Reports (F-205-150-075) Deputy City Manager Starman provided an overview of the Report to City Council dated January 9, 1998, incorporated herein by reference, and briefly discussed the findings of the Independent Auditors' Communication to the Audit Committee and the Single Audit Reports for the year ending June 30, 1997. It is recommended that City Council accept the reports. Council complimented staff on a job well done. MOTION: Made by Council Member Anderson, seconded by Council Member Kehoe, to accept the Independent Auditor's Communication to the Audit Committee and the Single Audit Reports for the year ending June 30, 1997. The Vote: Unanimous Ayes RESOLUTION- Mid-Year Budget Review (B-130-070) Deputy City Manager Starman provided an overview of the Report to City Council dated January 13, 1998, incorporated herein by reference, regarding the Mid-Year Budget Report. Mr. Starman conveyed that expenditures are trending as expected in all funds. Mr. Starman stated that revenue is also trending as expected or better than expected in most funds; however, he recommended the following adjustments: 1. Reduce the sales tax revenue projection by $350,000 to reflect current activity; 2. Reduce the transient occupancy tax revenue projection by $75,000 to reflect current activity; 3. Reduce the revenue projection associated with licenses and permits by $97,000; 4. Reduce the amount budgeted for property damage by $67,000 to reflect actual revenue; 5. Reduce the revenue estimate for plan check fees by $79,000 to reflect current activity; and 6. Reduce the connection fee estimate in the Water Utility Fund by $292,000 to reflect current activity. Mr. Starman also indicated that the Finance Division projects that the General Fund will end fiscal year 1997-98 with a cash reserve of approximately $3.3 million, up slightly from staff's original projection of 8.8 percent, and the General Fund is not projected to fall below 5.3 percent during the 10-year forecast period. Therefore, it is the recommendation of staff that the City Council accept the Mid-Year Budget Report and adopt the budget resolution. MOTION: Made by Council Member Anderson, seconded by Council Member McGeorge, to accept the Mid-Year budget report and adopt Budget Resolution No. 98-11, a resolution of the City of Redding approving and adopting the 14th amendment to City Budget Resolution No. 97-111 to 1) increase appropriations in the City Manager's office by $50,000 and 2) reduce revenue estimates in the General Fund by $668,370, and in the Water Utility Fund by $292,000. Voting was as follows: Ayes: Council Members - Anderson, Kehoe, McGeorge, and Murray Noes: Council Members - None Absent: Council Members - None Resolution No. 98-11 is on file in the office of the City Clerk. ORDINANCE - re Redding Municipal Code Title 17, Subdivision (L-010-500-050 & S-100) Development Services Director Swanson outlined the Report to City Council dated December 30, 1997, incorporated herein by reference, regarding amendments to Title 17, Subdivision Ordinance. Mr. Swanson noted that the Subdivision Ordinance which was previously adopted at the August 2, 1994, meeting, did not incorporate five changes directed by Council at the July 19, 1994, public hearing. Thus, the Municipal Code does not reflect City Council's intent. Mr. Swanson explained that Planning Division staff incorporated Council's revisions into the working copy of the code handed out to the public and used by staff. Therefore, the Planning staff has met the intent of Council's direction, but are actually in violation of the Code. Mr. Swanson recommended that Council offer the ordinance for first reading to correct the inconsistencies in the Code and validate the map approvals and subdivision extensions which have been granted. 01/20/98 17 Council Member McGeorge offered Ordinance No. 2206 for first reading, an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Redding amending portions of Redding Municipal Code Title 17, Subdivisions, and implementing Council's instruction given to staff at its July 19, 1994, meeting, and correcting the inconsistencies of the existing ordinance. MOTION: Made by Council Member McGeorge, seconded by Council Member Anderson, that the full reading of Ordinance No. 2206 be waived and the City Attorney be instructed to read the ordinance by title only. The Vote: Unanimous Ayes WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH FOUNDATION (W-010 & W-020) City Manager Warren highlighted the Report to City Council dated January 14, 1998, incorporated herein by reference, regarding a benchmark study comparing Redding's Wastewater Utility Operations to the rest of the nation. • Mr. Warren noted that Redding is one of the top performing utilities in the nation, and that Redding's overall collection and treatment costs were 28 percent below the expected amounts earning it a ranking as the eighth most efficient utility in the study. He also explained that the average staffing ratio of all the utilities in this study was 0.48 staff per 1,000 population. Applied to Redding, the City should have a staff of over 35.2 people; however, Redding's staffing level is 9 percent lower at 32 people. The bottom line for the consumer is that Redding's average monthly wastewater service charge is $16.25, which is 10 percent below the nation average of$18.10. Wastewater Superintendent Craig, who participated in the study, complimented the wastewater utility staff and expressed his gratitude to the following staff members: Jacob Blank, Richard Elliott, Gary Mercer, Rhonda Ohler and John Tasello from Public Works; Rita Vokal and staff from Customer Service; and Kim Collins from Finance. It was the consensus of City Council to accept the benchmark study prepared by the Water Environment Research Foundation and direct staff to continue searching for techniques to improve operational efficiencies. REPEAL OF ORDINANCE - re Proposition 208 (F-010/L-040-300) City Attorney Wingate reviewed the Report to City Council dated January 16, 1998, incorporated herein by reference, regarding the repeal of Ordinance 2197 which established a voluntary expenditure ceiling for candidates for city elective office. Mr. Wingate explained that on January 6, 1998, Judge Lawrence K. Karlton of the Unites States District Court in Sacramento issued an order in the challenge to Proposition 208 declaring key provisions of the proposition unconstitutional. The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) is enjoined from enforcing any provisions of Proposition 208 pending further order of the court, and the judge directed FPPC to seek an original writ in the California Supreme Court to determine whether the unconstitutional provisions of Proposition 208 are severable leaving portions of the proposition intact. The campaign spending limits established by Proposition 208 are unenforceable by the FPPC. Mr. Wingate explained that the validity of the City's ordinance is placed in doubt due to the judge's decision. It is, therefore, recommended that Ordinance No. 2197 be repealed. Mr. Wingate noted that the effective date of the repeal of the ordinance would be March 5, 1998, and no action will be taken to enforce its provisions during the interim period. In response to Mayor Murray's request for clarification on the ability of candidates for reelection to vote on this matter, Mr. Wingate explained that repealing the ordinance requires a 3/4 majority vote, therefore, all Council Members are required to vote on this issue. Council Member Kehoe offered Ordinance No. 2207 for first reading, an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Redding repealing section 2.17.100 of the Redding Municipal Code relating to voluntary expenditure ceilings in general municipal elections. 01/20/98 r- 18 MOTION: Made by Council Member Kehoe, seconded by Council Member McGeorge, that the full reading of Ordinance No. 2207 be waived and the City Attorney be instructed to read the ordinance by title only. The Vote: Unanimous Ayes REDDING PEACE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION - re Letter from Richard D. McCartin, President (P-100-050-120) Richard D. McCartin, President of the Redding Police Officers Association (RPOA) stated that the Redding Police Department is one of the top-rated departments in the State. Mr. McCartin outlined the City's crime statistics and noted that the department is holding the line on crime. Mr. McCartin suggested that the City's philosophy of treating all contract employees the same is flawed, and he explained that police officers deserve special consideration because they make life and death decisions. The RPOA is concerned that without a financial package that will attract high caliber individuals, the department may not.be able to recruit the best officers and there will be a negative effect on the department. Mr. McCartin stated that the salary differential between sergeant and lieutenant has grown over the years and is not equitable. RPOA does not understand why a group that has been praised for doing an outstanding job is not being justly compensated. Human Resources Manager Bachman stated that the RPOA contract expired on September 20, 1997, and negotiations began taking place early in September. However, an impasse over economic issues was reached on October 23, 1997. In response to Mr. McCartin's statement regarding recruitment difficulties, Mr. Bachman expressed disappointment that an impasse was reached so quickly. He noted that the number of lateral transfer applicants is down; however, research shows that other agencies are experiencing the same problem, which is more related to the grant programs available resulting in more job openings. Mr. Bachman asserted that the City is still hiring quality officers, and the quality of the department is not being diminished. In response to Mr. McCartin's statement that the salary differential between sergeant and lieutenant has become inequitable, Mr. Bachman indicated that since 1987, the difference in salary between the top step of a lieutenant and sergeant has changed only 2 percent. In fact, the salary differential is the same as it was in 1990. In looking at the actual gross wages paid for 1997, he said the average differential between sergeants and lieutenants is more like 17 or 18 percent. He explained that lieutenants do not receive overtime pay. Mr. Bachman conveyed that the City is interested in returning to the bargaining table. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, at the hour of 7:43 p.m., Mayor Murray declared the meeting adjourned. APPROVED: r )71 i Mayor ATTEST: '111 City Clerk / 01/20/98