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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 1987 0518 CC SPCMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL Moorpark, California May 18, 1987 The Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Moorpark, California, and the Moorpark Parks and Recreation Commission, was held on May 18, 1987 in Room A of City Hall, located at 799 Moorpark Avenue, Moorpark, California. 1. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:22 P.M. by Mayor Harper. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commission Chairman Tom Baldwin. 3. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmembers Eloise Brown, John Galloway, Bernardo Perez and Mayor Clint Harper. Commissioners Pam Castro; Dan Rasey; Cheryl Zemont; and Chairman Tom Baldwin. Steven Kueny, City Manager; Gerald Forde, Director of Community Services; Thomas P. Genovese, Director of Administrative Services; and Maureen W. Wall, City Clerk. 4. JOINT MEETING WITH THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION: A. Duties and Role of the Commission: Councilmember Galloway commented that he felt that if there was clear communication between the Council and the Commission, mutual goals for the betterment of the community could be accomplished. He cited his displeasure with Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Baldwin's letter of resignation as Chairman dated May 5, 1987, and then the rescission of that letter on May 11, 1987. He felt it was the role of the Chairman to facilitate the Commission meetings, but not to disrupt the function of the Commission by stating that he alone represents a unit within that Commission. Further, the Chairman's role is not to dictate policy. He did not feel it was necessary for the Chairman of the Commission to stand before the City Council and state what actions and policies the Commission was taking. Minutes of the City Council May 18, 1987 Moorpark, California 2 Councilmember Brown spoke concerning Chairman Baldwin's use of the terms "bickering by women ". She further stated she felt that there were several times when Chairman Baldwin had negatively impacted the ladies on the Commission, and felt that those actions deserved an apology. Councilmember Perez commented he thought the purpose of this joint meeting was to see how the Commission could better serve the City Council and the City. Mayor Harper favored setting goals and guidelines for the Commission so that they could do their job. Chairman Baldwin then read a prepared statement, stating he felt the purpose of this joint meeting and the holding of the meeting itself was a mistake. He felt the real reason the meeting was called was to allow certain Councilmembers to express their displeasure with the Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman and some of the actions and statements which he had made in the recent past. He concluded his prepared statement remarks by stating he felt certain members of the Council were attacking him personally, and further remarked that if the Council wanted him off the Commission, that they should just "fire me ". He additionally commented that the Commissioners themselves had appointed him to represent them as a body to the City Council. Since he had been so directed by the Commission to represent them before the Council, he had attended Council meetings to report on the Commission's actions. Commissioner Rasey commented that the Commission had appointed Chairman Baldwin to represent the Commission at the City Council meetings. Commissioner Castro stated she resented the fact that Chairman Baldwin stated there was a disagreement among the women on the Commission when in fact the disagreement was between all of the women on the Commission and Chairman Baldwin. She further commented that she had attempted to approach Chairman Baldwin quietly to resolve these differences privately, but that he persisted in airing any problems publicly. Chairman Baldwin stated that he felt he had been working with the Commission, but Commissioner Rasey commented that he had been known to use the term "my women" at times. Commissioner Zemont commented that without discussion or "bickering" amongst members of the Commission that decisions quite often could not be made. Minutes of the City Council May 18, 1987 Moorpark, California 3 Mayor Harper commented that it was obvious a better understanding of how the City Council and the Commission should work together was needed. The City Council, he felt, needs to indicate very clearly what direction they wish the Commission to take, both in regards to budgetary concerns and constraits of the scope of a project. Councilmember Galloway felt the Commission should always be looking to save the City money in the development of Parks. Councilmember Brown stated line items within a project should be checked very closely by the Commission. She also stated she felt it was the Commission's responsibility to verify those line items and report their findings to the Council. Further, she felt the Parks and Recreation Commission should concentrate on park development within the City. Commissioner Zemont felt the Parks and Recreation Commission should also review streetscape plans in order to make parkways more aesthetically pleasing. Councilmember Brown commented that she felt the Planning Commission should take care of this. In an effort to allow the Commission time to review projects, City Manager Steven Kueny said Staff will endeavor to insure that, whenever possible, the Parks and Recreation Commission will sees projects and their input duly noted prior to projects going to the Planning Commission and then on to the City Council. Councilmember Perez commented he felt the streetscape was more in line with the functions of the Design Review Committee. Councilmember Galloway also felt this Committee might need to be more specific in certain areas and that streetscape might be one of the items they might review. Mayor Harper commented that although the Design Review Committee might develop standards, they should not be included in the review process. After more discussion, City Manager Steven Kueny outlined the following process for Councilmembers and Commissioners. The Commission would give Staff direction concerning their comments on a project. Staff would then bring those back to the Commission in final form for their approval. That document would then come to the City Council. The project would be reviewed by the Council and then go out to bid after the costs have been estimated. Mayor Harper felt the City Council should be involved very early in the scope of a park project. Mr. Kueny additionally commented that Minutes of the City Council May 18, 1987 Moorpark, California 4 preparation of specifications would not occur until the design of a project had been approved by the City Council. Estimates of cost could be done at that time. Then, based upon the approved design, the specifications could be drawn and the project could then go out to bid. Councilmember Galloway additionally commented that a project should not exceed the funds approved for that project. He cautioned, however, that just because a project had been funded at a certain amount, care should still be taken to observe and follow through on cost - saving measures. After further discussion, the Parks and Recreation Commission was directed to prepare a Master Park Plan with phasing. Then, if during the fiscal year, additional dollars became available, portions of the plan might be accelerated. Councilmember Brown also asked that the Commission supply the Council with rough estimates of maintenance costs for the parks. MOTION: Councilmember Brown moved and Councilmember Perez seconded a Motion to direct Staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission to begin working on a five -year Master Park Plan. The voice vote was unanimous, with Councilmember Ferguson absent. Councilmember Galloway suggested that park development be accomplished in phases. In that way, major portions of a park could be done initially and other portions and amenities added as funds became available at a later time. City Manager Kueny commented that a Master Park Plan could be developed and looked at during the upcoming budget process. In closing, Commissioner Baldwin commented he felt it would be a mistake to put a Commission in the position that an individual Commissioner is responsible to one particular member of the City Council. Further, he stated that a Commissioner is appointed for a two -year term and can be removed from that position by a majority of the Council. B. Commission Request to Move Ahead with Possible Use of the Hiqh School Lower Field Jerry Forde, Director of Community Services gave a Staff Report dated May 13, 1987, which outlined the Parks and Recreation Commission's desire to send a letter to the Moorpark Unified School District requesting that they meet concerning the various alternatives for use of the lower high school field as a pot the Parks and Recreation Commission's desire to send a letter to the Moorpark Unified School District requesting that they meet concerning the various alternatives for use of the lower high school field as a potential downtown Park site. Minutes of the City Council May 18, 1987 Moorpark, California 5 Councilmember Brown felt that it might be improper for the Commission, as a nonelected body, to meet with the school board, which is an elected body, unless the City Council so directed. Commissioner Castro stated she was approached by a member of the school board who asked her that the Parks and Recreation Commission, as well as the school board, meet to determine what each other's thoughts were concerning the lower high school field. She further stated that the Commission would like to take a more active approach to moving on park development. Mayor Harper pointed out that the school board had been sent a letter, but a response had not yet been received. He further suggested that a letter might be sent from the City Council suggesting that the Parks and Recreation Commission meet with the school board. City Manager Steven Kueny suggested that a joint meeting between the City Council and the school board might be held and after that time, direction could be given to the Parks and Recreation Commission by the Council. Councilmember Galloway suggested that a joint meeting between the City Council and the School Board, with the Parks and Recreation Commission in attendance, might be held. The following Motion was then heard. MOTION: Councilmember Brown and Councilmember Perez seconded a Motion to write a letter to the school board, asking for a joint meeting between the Council and the school board. The Mayor was directed to contact the school board President directly and deliver the letter. The voice vote was unanimous, with Councilmember Ferguson absent. 5. ADJOURNMENT: Councilmember Brown moved and Councilmember Perez seconded a Motion to adjourn the meeting. The voice vote was unanimous, with Councilmember Ferguson absent. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 P.M. C.A.k'D. Clint D. Harper Mayor ATTEST: Maureen W. Wall o �- City Clerk