HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 1998-08-14 215
City Council, Special Meeting
City Hall Conference Room A
760 Parkview Avenue
Redding, California
August 14, 1998 9:00 a.m.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kehoe at 9:00 a.m. with the following Council Members
present: Anderson, Cibula, Kight, McGeorge, and Mayor Kehoe.
Also present were City Manager Warren, Assistant City Manager Perry, Deputy City Manager
Starman, City Attorney Wingate, Public Works Director August, Electric Utility Director Feider,
Community Services Director Gorman, Administrative Services Director Bachman, Support Services
Director Kersten, Fire Chief Wagner, Economic Development/Asset Manager Hiller, Assistant City
Engineer Russell, Transportation Manager Duryee, Planning Manager Keaney, Building Official
Nagel, Senior Planners Haddox and Hanson, Assistant Planner Thompson, Personnel Analyst II
Niemer, Housing Program Supervisors Buckley and Meek, City Clerk Strohmayer and Executive
Secretary Sherman.
CITY OF REDDING STAFF WORK PROGRAM FOR 1998-99
(A-050-080)
City Manager Warren reviewed the Report to Council dated August 12, 1998, regarding the City
Staff Work Program for 1998-99. He explained that reviewing staff's work program for next fiscal
year ensures that Council and staff are working in concert toward the same goals.
Mr. Warren briefly described the five project and tasks lists for Council's consideration. He recalled
that List "A", Projects and Tasks for 1998, was provided to Council during the budget review
session; and since that time, a few items have been included for various reasons, while other projects
have been completed, or are considered to be routine and ongoing in nature. Mr. Warren explained
that List"B", Completed Projects, is a list of projects which have been completed to date; and List
"C", Revised List of Projects and Tasks for 1998/99, eliminates completed projects. Mr. Warren
related that List "D", Most Time Consuming Projects and Tasks, are those projects which are
anticipated to take a great deal of time and effort from staff, and List "E", Recommendations, is a list
of recommendations which will provide direction and ease the work load. Mr. Warren added that
over the next two years, this Council will set a record for the most openings and ribbon cuttings, and
that level of activity dictates that the lists contain only high profile projects and issues. He pointed
out that this list represents a one-year plan, with some projects being brought forward into next year.
Council Member McGeorge stated that he was in agreement with the recommendations contained
on List"E", and approved scaling down projects while maintaining quality.
Council Member Anderson expressed satisfaction with the list of recommendations, stating that he
had nothing to add or remove from the list at this time.
Council Member Cibula related that he is in basic agreement with the list, but believed that open
space issues should receive priority. Mr. Warren responded that while the issue of open space will
be discussed within the General Plan, it was recently added to List "C". Mr. Cibula also expressed
his concurrence with regard to a"reduction of backlog of capital improvement projects" (refer to List
"C"), and requested that a list of those projects be provided to Council for discussions with Public
Works Director August at a later date.
08/14/98
216
Council Member Kight stated that he is participating in the formulation of an economic development
strategy which will be submitted to the City Council. He viewed bringing jobs to the community as
a high priority and urged Council to vigorously move forward in this area. In addition, he suggested
the City bring all of its systems into year 200 compliance as expeditiously as possible.
Mr. Warren advised that the items on List"E" are not listed in order of priority, and he reviewed the
Projects and Tasks for 1998-99 Recommendations as follows:
1. If a new project is added, one needs to be removed from the list.
2. If there is a project that the City Council does not want to have completed or considered, now
would be the time to take it off. Reciprocal: If there is something you want to include on the work
plan, please say so today.
3. If the City Council does not want to do a project or task, it would be helpful to indicate that at
Council meetings as opposed to requesting a study, referring it to a committee, or asking for
additional information.
Mayor Kehoe opined that items 1, 2& 3, have great importance to the City, and staff should
receive conceptual approval from Council. Council Member Anderson stated that if Council
adds an item or project, it is incumbent that Council decides which one shall be removed.
Council Members concurred.
4. With regard to specific items that could be deferred, City Manager Warren suggested the
following:
(a) New Convention Center - There are no partnership opportunities that require immediate
attention. Staff however, will continue to respond to private sector partnership opportunities as they
arise.
Council Members concurred.
(b) Enhancing the Code Enforcement Program - The current Code Enforcement Program is
adequate. Enhancement, while desirable, is not recommended at this time. Mr. Warren believed that
the that the current level of effort should be maintained.
Council Members concurred.
Building Official Nagel advised that staff and Code Enforcement Officers are making
progress, and will continue to pursue problem areas. City Attorney Wingate added that code
enforcement is very time consuming, and the Attorney's Office will accomplish as much as
possible with available resources.
Council Member Anderson requested information on Doc's Restaurant on Hilltop Dr. Mr.
Wingate responded that his office is preparing for trial, possibly in February or March of
1999. He added that hopefully the problem will be resolved prior to that time through
negotiations with the bank holding the property.
(c) Housing Programs - City Manager Warren suggested finishing the workshop with Council but
delaying implementation of any new program until next fiscal year.
Council Members concurred.
(d) Library - City Manager Warren suggested letting the committee finish its work, but delay
implementation of a plan until next year.
08/14/98
217
Council Member Cibula questioned the recommendation that no action be taken. Mr. Warren
responded that when the Library Committee completes its review and has a recommendation,
it will be presented to Council at that time. Mr. Warren related, however, that he is not
supportive of the City taking over administration of the library.
Council Member Anderson cautioned that the County is the lead agency for the library, and
without its cooperation and involvement, Council cannot move forward.
Deputy City Manager Starman clarified that the Library Committee is comprised of
representatives from both the City and Shasta County and its recommendation will reflect the
interests of those agencies and the community when deciding the library's future.
Council Member Cibula added that if there is no implementation of a plan at this time, staff
should be preparing the ground work so that by July 1, 1999, the plan can be put into place.
Mayor Kehoe concurred with Council Member Cibula stating that impression should not be
conveyed that the City is abandoning the project. He suggested that Council seek a
resolution to this problem.
Mayor Kehoe recommended that Council reserve the right to reconsider the library project
pending the report of the Library Committee.
Council Members concurred.
(e) The Plunge - Groundwork can be done in this fiscal year, but implementation would not take
place until next fiscal year.
Council Members concurred
In response to Council Member Cibula, Mr. Warren explained that the Plunge needs extensive
repairs which may amount to $200,000 to $300,000, and staff is currently exploring groups
which may want to take over the day-to-day operation of the Plunge with the City remaining
responsible for the cost of large repairs.
(f) Optical Imaging Program - Although nice to have in place, delaying implementation until next
fiscal year would help.
Council Members concurred.
(g) General Plan-Elements(Housing, Public Facilities, Economic Development) shall be completed
after the General Plan has been approved by the City Council.
In response to Mayor Kehoe, Mr. Warren advised that the General Plan should be completed
by December 1999. He explained that while completion could occur earlier, staff is affording
additional time for public comment and involvement.
Mayor Kehoe stated that he is not in favor of taking incremental action with regard to the
General plan and did not support delay of the elements until after December 1999. Mr.
Kehoe suggested that Economic Development Element be included in the General Plan.
Council Member Kight opined that Council's approach to the General Plan should be broad
in scope, and expressed his reluctance to delay these elements until December 1999, when the
General Plan is scheduled for completion. He believes that the Housing Element should be
in place prior to adoption of the General Plan.
Mr. Starman responded that the Housing Element is census driven and that information will
not be available until after the year 2000.
08/14/98
218
It was the consensus of Council that the Economic Development element be included in the
General Plan.
(h) Animal Regulation Program - Work with the Haven Humane Society on extending the current
agreement and forego a new RFP process.
Council Members concurred.
(i) Training for First-Line Supervisors - Delay until next year or when/if personnel officer is hired.
Council Members concurred.
(j) City Council and Planning Commission Minutes - Although not on the list, but a potential time-
saving task nevertheless, is the preparation of minutes for the City Council and Planning Commission
meetings. Mr. Warren suggested a move from comprehensive minutes to something less
comprehensive, such as summary minutes, while complying with all legal requirements.
Council Members concurred.
Mr. Warren explained that since Council meetings are videotaped and the City Clerk's Office
maintains an audiotape, summary minutes should provide a sufficient record of the
proceedings. Mr. Warren related that all requests for specific comments to be included in
the record will be accommodated. City Clerk Strohmayer concurred that summary minutes
will streamline and expedite the process of minutes preparation and enhance staff's ability to
get the work out timely.
In response to Council Member Anderson, City Attorney Wingate advised that summary
minutes will meet the legal requirements for legislative action. However, public hearings
must be more detailed and include public comment.
(k) Where possible, the department shall request in writing opinions of the City Attorney.
Council Members concurred.
City Attorney Wingate advised that departments should explore problems prior to contacting
the Attorney's Office for assistance. However, he assured Council that the Attorney's office
is available and ready to support staff on these projects.
(1) Postpone Municipal Airport Golf Course - Although a potential revenue source, this project
should be delayed until next fiscal year due to workload.
Council Members concurred.
Mayor Kehoe stated that Council has not taken any action on the Municipal Airport Golf
Course, and suggested that staff come to Council for conceptual approval prior to moving
forward.
(m) Records Retention Policy - Defer implementation to next fiscal year.
Council Members concurred.
City Manager Warren also proposed a 25% reduction in paper flow between staff and
Council. Council supported the proposition, and Council Member Kight suggested that e-
mail be used for some correspondence between staff and the Council.
08/14/98
219
PUBLIC COMMENT
(A-050-080)
Richard Johnson, 3000 Valentine Lane, stated that he appreciated staffs hard work and dedication
to prioritizing projects, but encouraged Council to closely examine ongoing costs and overhead for
these projects. He suggested expanding the volunteer program, and emphasized that Council and the
community should work to preserve the area's watershed rights. Mr. Johnson also stated that
because the General Plan is costly and time consuming to prepare, it should be developed for time
periods of five years or more. He also commented that code enforcement flexibility has no place in
the community; it is important that it be consistent.
Frank Straz7arino, Chamber of Commerce, related that he reviewed the report and concurs with the
City Manager's recommendations. Mr. Strazzarino complimented staff on its dedication and hard
work, and believes this plan will contribute to its overall efficiency. He applauded the General plan
but recommended that Council not delay implementation of the elements. Mr. Strazzarino urged
Council to continue to place an emphasis on industry and the better paying jobs it can bring to the
community.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, at the hour of 10:25 a.m., Mayor Kehoe declared the meeting
adjourned.
APPROVED:
/40:00",,„
Mayor Da •d A. Kehoe
ATTEST:
dt-/t4ce '4
City Clerk
1
08/14/98