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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 2002 0508 CC JNTMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION Moorpark, California Mav 8, 2002 A Special Joint Meeting of the City Council and the Planning Commission of the City of Moorpark was held on May 8, 2002, in the Council Chambers of said City located at 799 Moorpark Avenue, Moorpark, California. 1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Hunter called the City Council meeting to order at 6.37 p.m. Chair Otto called the Planning Commission to order at 6:37 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Planning Commissioner Allegiance. 3. ROLL CALL: City Council Members Present: Absent: Planning Commissioners Present: Absent: Kipp Landis led the Pledge of Councilmembers Harper, Mikos, Wozniak, and Mayor Hunter. Councilmember Millhouse. Commissioners DiCecco, Landis, Parvin, and Chair Otto. Commissioner Haller. Staff Present: Steven Kueny, City Manager; Hugh Riley, Assistant City Manager; Ken Gilbert, Public Works Director; Walter Brown, City Engineer; Dave Bobardt, Advanced Planning Manager; Deborah Traffenstedt, Acting Community Development Director and Assistant to City Manager /City Clerk; and Blanca Garza, Deputy City Clerk. Minutes of the City Council and Planning Commission Moorpark, California Page 2 May 8, 2002 4. PUBLIC COMMENT: Ms. Traffenstedt stated that there were no public speakers. Mayor Hunter congratulated Commissioner Janice Parvin as the recipient of the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Month Award. 5. PRESENTATION /ACTION /DISCUSSION: A. Consider Presentation on FEMA Study of Arroyo Simi and Related Matters. Staff Recommendation: Receive presentation by Ventura County Flood Control District (no agenda report). Mr. Kueny stated that a representative from the Flood Control District will give a presentation relative to the FIR (Flood Insurance Rate) Map and the impact of this process on current developments in the City. Sergio Vargas addressed the Council and Commission as the principal engineer of the Planning and Regulatory Division of the Ventura County Flood Control District. Mr. Vargas provided a background for the need to update the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map. He stated that the significant growth in the Calleguas Creek Watershed since 1986 has prompted FEMA to update the FIR Map to allow local communities to administer their own flood insurance programs. He also stated that as a result of this determination, the Flood Control District, acting as a local sponsor, entered into an Agreement with FEMA in 2001, for a flood insurance study within the Calleguas Creek Watershed. Mr. Vargas provided a schedule of information to the Council and the Commission that outlined the hydrology study currently underway. He stated that the Flood Control District has requested that the Calleguas Creek portion of the FIR Study be given high priority by FEMA. Councilmember Mikos asked if the high priority request was specific to the Moorpark portion of the Calleguas Creek watershed or a more generalized area. Minutes of the City Council and Planning Commission Moorpark, California Paqe 3 Mav 8, 2002 Mr. Vargas responded that the areas they requested for priority are Moorpark and Camarillo with the entire Arroyo Simi in Moorpark being part of that area. Councilmember Wozniak asked when the City could expect the numbers for the cubic feet per second (cfs) rate of flow. Mr. Vargas responded that the District is performing a quality review and can only release draft cfs numbers. He stated that 22,300 cfs is the number they have currently estimated based on rainfall patterns of the previous 13 years. Councilmember Wozniak asked if the affected cities will have the opportunity to comment on the cfs numbers. Mr. Vargas stated that a hydrology study is a statistical approach and the District tries to formulate a consistent, reliable statistical model. He stated that the numbers can be shared with the cities, but the results will be based on statistics. Councilmember Harper stated that some developers with approved projects in the downtown area have been told that until the flood map is approved they cannot begin construction, because the required mitigation will be to raise the height of the foundation pads. Mr. Vargas stated that the FEMA flood insurance program requires that the flood map be revised before construction can occur in the floodplain. Councilmember Harper asked if the side of the Arroyo Simi could be bermed rather than raising the height of all of the construction pads in the downtown area. Mr. Vargas responded that the District would be willing to work with the developers to accelerate the proposed improvements to the Arroyo Simi channel. Minutes of the City Council and Planning Commission Moorpark, California Paqe 4 May 8, 2002 Councilmember Harper stated that it appears unreasonable to require the developers to now import large amounts of dirt to raise the foundation pads when it is intended, ultimately, that the channel will be widened and the potential flooding problem may no longer exist. Mr. Vargas stated that the determination must be made by the City, since each community administers its own floodplain program. Mr. Kueny requested that the City Engineer be allowed to explain one specific project that has been approved and what the options are for allowing that developer to proceed with construction. Mr. Brown explained that any developer who wants to pull building permits, currently, must utilize the current FEMA FIR maps. He stated that the difficulty for developers who have yet to design or complete the design of their improvements is that in that process the City would look to the issue of water surface elevations in the Arroyo and have them design their system accordingly. He stated that a developer could proceed using the existing FIR maps, but if changes to those maps occur mid - construction, then the developer would be in a very difficult position. Councilmember Harper stated that it does not seem necessary to require the raising of the foundation pads if the rechannelization of the Arroyo Simi will remove the flooding potential once it is completed. Mr. Brown explained that it is not a feasible thing that lenders would ignore the FIR maps, so financing would become difficult for the purchasers. Councilmember Harper said it has been suggested that an overlay zone be created to charge all development a fee for Arroyo Simi improvements and use those contributions to accelerate the funding and occurrence of the rechannelization project. Minutes of the City Council and Planning Commission Moorpark, California Page 5 May 8, 2002 Mr. Kueny explained that the problem is that the full funding is not collected until the last house is actually built in the project. He stated that in the interim the City could have an assessment district, but many of the contributors' projects are not yet approved. In response to Mr. Kueny, Mr. Vargas confirmed that the Flood Control District does not currently have the funding available to perform the rechannelization of the Arroyo Simi. Mr. Kueny requested that the City Engineer explain the Shea Homes project, as an example, and what is being done relative to the flood issue. Mr. Brown stated that the City is investigating with the developer's engineer to raise the level of the lots and the pads. He stated that they are dealing with the 26,900 cfs and the 22,300 cfs numbers. Mr. Brown went on to state that the Flood Control District's efforts to establish an accurate cfs number is essential as there are significant cost differences between designing for each rate of flow. Mr. Gilbert stated that once the rechannelization project is constructed, the full cfs would be contained within the channel. He stated it is a very significant project with a lot of right -of -way design and funding issues to resolve. Mr. Gilbert stated that the City and the developers must work with the data that is currently known. In response to Councilmember Harper, Mr. Vargas stated that the estimated cost for the rechannelization project through the City of Moorpark is over five million dollars. Councilmember Harper asked if a partial rechannelization project is possible to protect the land that is in question on the north side of the channel. Minutes of the City Council and Planning Commission Moorpark, California Paae 6 May 8, 2002 Mr. Vargas explained that due to the sequence of the construction it is not feasible to do so. In response to Commissioner DiCecco, Mr. Vargas stated that the consultant is lagging behind schedule in getting the project to FEMA. He stated that a conservative estimate for approval of the FIR map could feasibly be extended by 2 -1/2 to 3 -1/2 months beyond the projected January, 2003 date. In response to Commissioner Parvin, Mr. Vargas explained that the schedule for the capital improvement project is independent of the FEMA study. Chair Otto asked what is dictating the pace of the FEMA study schedule. Mr. Vargas responded that the Ventura County Flood Control District is providing data for the FEMA study, but that they do not have contractual control over the consultant performing the study, because it is being done with FEMA oversight. Chair Otto asked if the higher priority being requested for the Moorpark area really has any advantage, since we have to wait for the final figures prior to any potential developer benefiting from that information. Mr. Vargas stated that it would have an impact when the results are final, and it does give an advantage over other communities who have other components to be submitted, reviewed, and approved. In response to Councilmember Mikos, Mr. Vargas confirmed that the FIR map study is based on the environmental impact report that was done several years ago. He further explained that since that study did not include the various projects that are currently being considered in Moorpark, it should not affect the timetable for the 2005 -2006 project, because some of the right -of -way has already been designated by the Board of Supervisors and there is Minutes of the City Council and Planning Commission Moorpark, California Page 7 May 8, 2002 plenty of time to acquire the remaining land necessary for the construction. Councilmember Mikos asked how the existing homeowners in the downtown area are going to be impacted relative to the cost of their flood insurance and the status of their property. Mr. Brown responded that the FEMA flood insurance program provides for flood insurance for persons who are found to be within the floodplain. He also stated that if the floodplain were determined to be larger than it was before, those persons that were now included in the larger area would be eligible to buy flood insurance on a subsidized basis. He further stated that if those homeowners elect to refinance or sell the property, they would be eligible to purchase that flood insurance. Mr. Brown stated that, in the case of a homeowner constructing an addition to an existing structure, FEMA typically does not want to increase their exposure to flooding claims and, therefore, discourages increases to property values within the floodplain. Mr. Gilbert stated that the current FIR map has all of the area south of Los Angeles Avenue in the flood plain. He continued by stating that the new FIR map will possibly have a larger floodplain. John Newton, 165 High Street, addressed and the Commission. He stated that it for the improvements to be accelerated should be a formal request to FEMA to do stated that FEMA should be requested to surface elevation information as soon as developers can proceed. In response to Councilmember Harper, provided a summary of affected projects. them as being Colmer, Shea Homes, and two General Plan Amendment, USA and LT. He 400 units have been approved and potentially, 400 additional units. Mr. that staff will meet with the Ventura the Council is important and that it SO. He also release the possible so Mr. Kueny He listed projects for stated that there are Kueny stated County Flood Minutes of the City Council and Planning Commission Moorpark, California Page 8 May 8, 2002 Control District to determine the status of the funds for the project. Councilmember Mikos expressed concern that part of this floodplain development includes affordable housing. This item was concluded with no action required. B. Consider Goals and Objectives for Fiscal year 2002/2003. Staff Recommendation: Consider and discuss Goals and Objectives for FY 2002/2003. In response to Mayor Hunter, Mr. Kueny suggested that the Planning Commission be requested to provide comments and ask questions relative to the stated Goals and Objectives. Mayor Hunter opened the item for discussion. Commissioner Parvin requested the status of the item to develop a plan and conceptual design for City entry signs. (Item G.11, page 11 of the staff report.) Mr. Kueny stated the City has not budgeted for the entry signs so there has been no progress. Commissioner Parvin asked if the City has considered working with the service clubs relative to this item. Mr. Kueny stated that there has been a proposal submitted, but he is not certain of the status of that proposal. He explained that service clubs typically participate when it is on private property at the site to introduce what clubs are available in the City versus the kinds of welcome signs located in the right -of -way. Mayor Hunter asked if the City would be open to a service club proposal to build one or more entry or monument signs on City -owned property, theoretically, in the center median, and if the Council approved of such a sign. Minutes of the City Council and Planning Commission Moorpark, California Paqe 9 May 8, 2002 Mr. Kueny stated that it would be a Council decision. Chair Otto inquired on the status of the Business Recovery Plan. (Item G.8, page 11 of the staff report) Mr. Kueny clarified that this item is not relative to Economic Development, but is part of the Disaster Recovery Plan for the City. Chair Otto stated that his question is that a concern in previous years has been attracting and retaining retail businesses in the City. He asked if this is still a concern and area of focus for the City. Mr. Kueny stated that the City works on this objective without an adopted plan. He said attraction of businesses is pursued through the landowners and their brokers on an ongoing basis. Relative to the retention of businesses, Mr. Kueny stated that the City works in conjunction with the Economic Development Collaborative of Ventura County (EDCVC) on an informal basis and assists troubled businesses to refine their business plans. He explained that the City is also in contact with businesses periodically, to see how they are doing. Chair Otto suggested the need for a more explicit goal for this item. Mayor Hunter suggested that perhaps this item should be given more of a priority than the City has given to it in the past and include it as one of the top ten goals for the City. Chair Otto concurred with the Mayor's suggestion. Commissioner Landis commented relative to Items 19 and 27 (pages 4 and 5 of the staff report) . He suggested that Item No. 27, "Work with property owner to improve west City entry ", be a companion item to top priority Item No. 4. He stated that Item No. 19, "Utility undergrounding projects" needs to be addressed as it relates to the utility poles on Los Angeles Avenue and Minutes of the City Council and Planning Commission Moorpark, California Paqe 10 May 8, 2002 the improvement of the west entrance to the City. Commissioner Landis also suggested that another priority should be to relieve the traffic congestion on the 23 freeway. Mr. Kueny stated that the City does have a project for the utility undergrounding, which was delayed because of the energy crisis. He stated that the City is participating with Southern California Edison in a plan for the service lines from Gabbert Road to Millard Avenue to be undergrounded, which will leave only the transmission lines above ground. Mr. Gilbert stated that the entire process of undergrounding the utility service lines along Los Angeles Avenue would take approximately 1 -1/2 to 2 years to complete. Mr. Kueny stated that this is a long standing, multi- million dollar goal to underground the transmission lines along Los Angeles Avenue. He explained that the City will be working on a funding source in the future to underground the transmission lines. He continued by stating that the City is hopeful that Caltrans will establish a policy that will allow a raised Los Angeles Avenue median that can be landscaped to enhance the west entrance to the City. Mr. Kueny stated that the City has had discussions with the property owner of Specific Plan No. 1, relative to where Muranaka Farms is located, to address possible truck parking violations at the west entrance to the City. Mr. Kueny responded to Commissioner Landis' question relative to alleviating traffic congestion on the State Route 23 freeway. He stated that an additional lane on SR -23 is proposed to be constructed and completed within four years. In response to Mr. Kueny, Mr. Gilbert stated that Caltrans is in the design mode for the proposed project, complete with sound walls and the widening of all of the bridges from here to Highway 101. He Minutes of the City Council and Planning Commission Moorpark, California Paae 11 Mav 8, 2002 stated that Caltrans proposes to be under construction with this project within approximately two years. Mr. Kueny added that it is the City's understanding that any further widening projects for SR -23 would not be beneficial until design changes are made to the connecting Highway 101. Commissioner DiCecco commented relative to Item No. 6, "Conduct an Organization and Management Study (0 &M Study) and prepare an implementation plan ", (page 3 of the staff report). He suggested that this item be deferred until the actual construction of the new City Hall, since most of this information will be utilized in the programming and the organization of the new facility. He commented that if the O &M Study is done prematurely to the construction of the new City Hall, it will be outdated information relevant to the needs to be designed into the proposed new facility. He also commented that he is an advocate of the senior center and teen center being developed on the same site or possibly on the site of the existing City Hall. Relative to Item No. 18, "Expand Poindexter Park ", Commissioner DiCecco suggested that Poindexter Park be considered as a skatepark location and that there is substantial community support for such a facility. Commissioner DiCecco suggested that the City consider and expedite a municipal code revision to allow second dwelling units for property owners. He stated that property owners in the City are transitioning to need housing for elderly parents to live with them. Mayor Hunter suggested that Chair Otto's recommendation relative to the heightened level of business proactivity and retention within the City be adopted and moved to what will become the list of the top 10 goals of the City. Councilmember Mikos suggested replacing Item No. 10, which has been accomplished with this evening's discussion, with something relative to Affordable Minutes of the City Council and Planning Commission Moorpark, California Page 12 May 8, 2002 Housing. She stated that it could serve a dual priority with Business Retention and the Arroyo Vista Park development. Mayor Hunter concurred that it can be done in conjunction with issues surrounding Arroyo Vista Community Park. Councilmember Wozniak stated that he is concerned that the Council needs to keep the top 10 priority items manageable for staff. He concurs with Chair Otto about moving the item that requested a concern for attracting and retaining quality retail businesses in the City to become a focus. Mayor Hunter stated that the City must enhance its proactive stance to pursue businesses to the City which meet the needs and the requirements of the City. Councilmember Harper used the Zelman project as an example and stated that the Council needs to be as proactive as possible in this regard, but they must be aware of the private sector economics that drive such retail development. Mr. Kueny stated that these comments will be provided to the Council in a formal session on their Council agenda so they can contemplate and finalize the language of the Goals and Objectives. Councilmember Mikos suggested that she wants to see the East Los Angeles Avenue widening project receive a higher priority. Mayor Hunter queried the Council and Commission for further comments relative to priorities on the agenda. Commissioner Parvin suggested a volunteer section for the City's webpage. Councilmember Mikos commended staff for the accomplishments that have been done relative to the Goals and Objectives. Minutes of the City Council and Planning Commission Moorpark, California Page 13 May 8, 2002 6. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Otto adjourned the Planning Commission Meeting at 8:05 p.m. Mayor Hunter adjourned the City Council meeting at 8:05 p.m. ATTEST: � D,,. � � ss - -F-'a PO, ,:, A � Deborah S. Traffenste t City Clerk