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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 1979-02-15 44 City Council, Adjourned Regular Meeting Police Dept. & Council Chambers Bldg. Redding, California February 15, 1979 The meeting was called to order at 12:00 Noon by Mayor Demsher with the following Council Members present: Fulton, Gard, Kirkpatrick, Pugh, and Demsher. Also present were City Manager Brickwood, Assistant City Manager Courtney, Public Works Director Arness, Planning and Community Development Director Harris, Electric Director Simpson, Director of Personnel and Labor Relations Reynolds, Deputy Planning Director Perry, Airports Manager McCall, and Deputy City Clerk Richter. PROPOSED COUNTY JAIL FACILITY Councilman Pugh abstained from discussion and voting on this item. Planning and Community Development Director Harris reviewed the Planning Commission statement letter dated February 14, 1979, to the Shasta County Board of Supervisors re the Environmental Impact Report for the proposed jail facilities. Said letter is hereby made a part of these minutes by reference. Mr. Harris pointed out that the Planning Commission feels that three areas are not adequately addressed in the final E.I.R. as follows: 1. Lack of overall long-range planning for the vicinity surrounding the courthouse; 2. Present and future parking needs; 3. Impact of the height of the proposed structure. Councilman Fulton stated that he is in agreement with the content of said letter, but questions why the Planning Commission Chairman directed his communication to the Board without first obtaining Council support. He did not feel the Commission should write directly to the Board. Mayor Demsher said he did not personally object to the Commission writing directly to the Board. He noted that the Couuiiission has expressed its views to the Board in the past and Council expressed no concern. Mr. Demsher said he feels the Planning Commission is more aware of planning matters and that although the Council has delved into certain issues, such as the jail, he thinks the Planning Department, working along with the Planning Commission, is more adequately equipped to respond to issues pertaining to planning matters. He indicated he feels the Commission should act independently of the Council when matters concern them directly. Councilwoman Gard recommended that Council endorse the Planning Commission statement in addition to submitting a Council position statement pertaining to the matter. Mrs. Gard said she feels Council should be represented at the Board public hearing on February 20 regarding the jail E.I.R. Mr. Kirkpatrick advised Council that he had spent some time with County Public Works Director Curry discussing alternate plans for the jail. He noted that although the County does not feel the alternate plans are feasible, he thinks they are. He pointed out that it appears the alternate solution for a facility of lesser height may cost more and possibly be more expensive to operate, but that he would be willing to support such a plan. He advised Council that the alternate proposal that was presented to him was for a structure that would rise 47 ft. on West Street and 57 ft. on Court Street. He said he questions the cost figures. He feels they are excessive and not totally justifiable. Mayor Demsher concurred that if the two proposals are studied in depth, and contain similar square footage, he doubts the difference in cost would be substantial. Mr. Demsher said that a 118-ft. building in the middle of 45 downtown Redding is an excessive proposal and Council needs to respond as to how the community feels about such a proposal. He feels that Council needs to oppose the height of the structure. He noted that the parking discussed in the E.I.R. merely meets today's needs and does not make provision for future needs. He expressed concern that there will be a need for expansion of the facilities in the courthouse vicinity beyond what exist now or is presently proposed, and those problems that may be created by that expansion, inclusive of the traffic and parking issues, have not been adequately addressed in the E.I.R. Mr. Demsher said that the purpose of the E.I.R. is to point out the problems of the proposal which he feels has not been done. Mr. Demsher adamantly stated that Council needs to take a position and send a representative to present Council's views to the Board of Supervisors. Councilman Kirkpatrick asked fellow Council Members if they were in agreement with the Planning Commission statement letter. Council Members answered in the affirmative. MOTION: Made by Councilman Kirkpatrick, seconded by Councilwoman Gard that Council support and endorse the Planning Commission statement letter pertain- ing to the proposed County Jail E.I.R. ; that Council submit a statement pointing out that the items hereinbefore discussed by Mayor Demsher pertain- ing to height, parking and future development of the courthouse vicinity are not adequately addressed in the E.I.R. ; and, advising the Board of Super- visors that Council will support an alternate acceptable plan for a structure of lesser height. Councilman Fulton said he is in accord with what Council Members have said, but feels Council can only go so far in presenting its views. He feels the public needs to present its views on these issues at the hearing also. He noted that it is important for Council to maintain the good rapport that has been attained with the Board. Mayor Demsher pointed out that 1600 persons have indicated opposition to the proposal by signing a petition which has been submitted to the Board. In addition, an effort has been made to work together with the Board on areas of mutual concern to the City and the County and it appears obvious that the proposed jail facility is such a mutual concern. He said that he did not feel that he could support a building twice as high as any building in the community and that some alternative solutions needs to be proposed. Councilwoman Gard noted that as early as September of 1978, she submitted a report to Council stating the same concerns that have been stated today. She pointed out that these same concerns have been expressed repeatedly over a 15-16 month period and because we are nearing the end of the E.I.R. process, and the County will be making its ultimate decision soon, it appears that Council should reiterate its position and how strongly it feels about the proposal. Mayor Demsher said that he has received many phone calls from persons who oppose the proposal and that Council's position in this matter is repre- sentative of the citizenry it represents. Councilman Kirkpatrick said that Council needs to tell the Board what it will support. The E.I.R. does not present an alternate plan, but the alternate proposal discussed with Mr. Curry for a structure with a height of 47 ft. on West Street and 57 ft. high on Court Street is something Council can endorse. Councilman Kirkpatrick said he believes Council is taking the right step by presenting a proposal it will support. Mayor Demsher called for a vote on the existing motion on the floor. The Vote: Unanimous lyes with Councilman Pugh abstaining. Council concurred that it will be represented at the public hearing on February 20, 1979. 46 ORDINANCE - Prohibition of Alcoholic Beverages in Downtown Areas MOTION: Made by Councilwoman Gard, seconded by Councilman Pugh that Ordinance No. 1431 be adopted, an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Redding amending Chapter 6. 38 of the Redding Municipal Code by adding thereto Section 6.38.060, prohibiting consumption of alcoholic -1) beverages in the Redding Downtown Mall and Downtown Parking Lots. \li ' Voting was as follows: {\\ Ayes : Council Members - Fulton, Gard, Kirkpatrick, Pugh, and Demsher Noes: Council Members - None Absent: Council Members - None Ordinance No. 1431 is on file in the office of the City Clerk. AWARD OF BID - Construction of Addition at Municipal Airport Terminal MOTION: Made by Councilman Fulton, seconded by Councilman Pugh that Council makes the following findings regarding Public Works Project No. 9142 (Bid Schedule No. 1075) , by the City of Redding, proposing to add 2,000 square-feet of floor area to the Redding Municipal Airport terminal building: 1. Project is compatible with the Redding General Plan; 2. Project will not significantly alter existing land form; 3. Project is compatible with surrounding land use; \ 1 4. Project is compatible with the Code of the City of Redding, California, and, ratifies the Negative Declaration approved by the Board of Administrative Review on February 8, 1979. The Vote: Unanimous Ayes MOTION: Made by Councilman Kirkpatrick, seconded by Councilwoman Gard approving the recommendation of the Public Works Director that Bid Schedule No. 1075, Construction of Redding Municipal Airport Terminal Addition, be awarded to Gifford Construction Company on their low bid in the amount of $116,781.00. Voting was as follows : Ayes: Council Members - Fulton, Gard, Kirkpatrick, Pugh, and Demsher Noes: Council Members - None Absent: Council Members - None Note that no provision is made for this item in the 1978-79 fiscal budget. AGREEMENT - Between City and P.G.& E. re Acquisition of the Enterprise Electric Facilities Mayor Demsher asked Councilman Pugh to present the proposal for acquisition and sale of the P.G.& E. electrical facilities in Enterprise. Councilman Pugh said that Council Members have been presented the proposed draft sales agreement with P.G.& E. which is hoped will be the final agreement. He pointed out that the price of $7,600,000 is somewhat higher than the price discussed prior to annexation of the Enterprise area; however, additional facilities are being acquired which the City did not contemplate purchasing. These facilities include acquisition of the Churn Creek Sub- • `> station and the transmission line that runs from the P.G.& E. Keswick Switch- yard to the City of Redding and on to the Churn Creek Substation. He stated that these items are of great benefit to the City in its long-range plan for power development. It is anticipated that the Enterprise citizens will be on the line with City power by August of 1979. Mr. Pugh said that it is felt that the program and price being paid for the facilities are fair, equitable and reasonable to all citizens involved. He pointed out that attached to the draft agreement is a letter from the City Manager, dated February 13, 1979, assuring that adequate funds are available for consummation of this purchase. Also, there is a supplemental letter to the City from P.G.& E. , dated February 2, 1979, presenting construction costs for field work to be performed by P.G. & E. to enable the transfer of P.G.& E. 's electrical facilities to the City. 47 MOTION: Made by Councilman Pugh, seconded by Councilman Kirkpatrick that Resolution No. 79-40 be adopted, a resolution of the City Council of the City of Redding approving certain agreements concerning the acquisition by City of Pacific Gas and Electric Company's electric facilities in the Enterprise Annexation area, and authorizing the Mayor and the City Manager to execute said agreements on behalf of the City. Voting was as follows : Ayes: Council Members - Fulton, Gard, Kirkpatrick, Pugh, and Demsher Noes: Council Members - None Absent: Council Members - None Resolution No. 79-40 is on file in the office of the City Clerk. Councilman Pugh expressed Council's appreciation to Assistant City Manager Courtney, City Attorney Murphy and Electric Director Simpson who worked tactfully and diligently in the negotiation process. He also thanked Mr. Brickwood for keeping the communication lines open between his office and those of Mr. Svensson of the Redding P.G.& E. office and Mr. LaRue of the Red Bluff office for the purpose of submitting negotiations back and forth. Mayor Demsher commended those involved for the smooth and timely manner in which this matter has been brought to a conclusion. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, at the hour of 12:30 P.M. , Mayor Demsher declared the meeting adjourned. APPROVED: ATTEST: Mayor Mildred L. Brayton, City erk By: jQ Ethel A. Richter Deputy City Clerk