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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 2001 0516 CC REGMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL Moorpark, California May 16, 2001 A Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Moorpark was held on May 16, 2001 in the Community Center of said City located at 799 Moorpark Avenue, Moorpark, California. 1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Hunter called the meeting to order at 6:47 p.m. 2. INVOCATION: Pastor Tony Amatangelo, Life Spring Community Church, gave the invocation. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Walter Brown, City Engineer, led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmembers Mikos, Millhouse, Harper, Wozniak, and Mayor Hunter. Staff Present: Steven Kueny, City Manager; Hugh Riley, Assistant City Manager; Joseph Montes, Acting City Attorney (arrived at 8:05 p.m.); Wayne Loftus, Community Development Director; Ken Gilbert, Public Works Director; Mary Lindley, Community Services Director; Dana Shigley, Administrative Services Director; Walter Brown, City Engineer; Captain Robert LeMay, Sheriff's Department; Deborah Traffenstedt, Assistant to City Manager /City Clerk; and La -Dell VanDeren, Deputy City Clerk. 5. PROCLAMATIONS AND COMMENDATIONS: A. Recognition of Public Works Week (May 20th through May 26th, 2001) . Mayor Hunter presented the Proclamation recognizing National Public Works Week to Ken Gilbert, Public Works Director. B. Recognition of Hilary Gushwa for "Heart to Heart" Campaign to Assist Leukemia Foundation. Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 2 May 16, 2001 Councilmember John Wozniak presented a Certificate of Recognition to Hilary Gushwa. C. City Manager's Monthly Report. Mr. Kueny introduced Ken Gilbert, Director of Public Works, who gave the monthly report. Mr. Gilbert summarized the Department of Public Works responsibilities, including duties as the Caltrans liaison, parking permit administration, sidewalk repair, and pothole repairs. He recognized and thanked his staff. He gave examples of the capital works projects completed and in progress, including the bridge widening project; six -lane Los Angeles Avenue widening; two new traffic signals added; medians on Los Angeles Avenue; three landscape design projects under construction; completed slurry seal program for 2000, asphalt overlay underway which includes new asphalt overlays on Los Angeles Avenue and Spring Road; maintenance and conversion of traffic signals to LED which uses only 2% energy; and all storm drain catch basin cleaning. Mayor Hunter stated his praise for a job well done by the Public Works Department staff. 6. PUBLIC COMMENT: Eloise Brown, a Moorpark resident, stated the floodlights at Peach Hill Park recently came on at 7:00 p.m. while there was still daylight and suggested that the lights be adjusted for daylight savings time. Gerald Goldstein, a Moorpark resident, discussed a Fire Department training exercise adjacent to Chaparral School and expressed his concern about the impact to local air quality. He asked for comment from the Council. Councilmember Millhouse asked staff to check on the comments of Mr. Goldstein with regard to the impact on air quality for the area around the exercise. Councilmember Millhouse also stated that the work of the Ventura County Fire Department and the fire fighters is Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 3 May 16, 2001 appreciated and that negative comments against them are not appropriate. Councilmember Wozniak commented that at the time of the fire exercise the adjacent school was not in session. He stated that Fire Department recruits were being trained in the event of an emergency and that neither the school nor the children were ever in any jeopardy. 7. REORDERING OF, AND ADDITIONS TO, THE AGENDA: Councilmember Millhouse requested a future agenda item regarding information about the significant number of traffic accidents occurring with traffic turning left into the Blockbuster video center driveway on New Los Angeles Avenue. He requested that Captain LeMay and Mr. Gilbert check into it. Councilmember Millhouse requested that staff check into the lack of parking at Miller Park and suggested that the Parks and Recreation Commission address the issue and report back to the City Council. Mayor Hunter requested that Item 11.F. be pulled from the Consent Calendar. 8. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: Mayor Hunter announced the City Council's request for interested persons to apply for appointment to the Teen Council and the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging. He also announced free landfill day for Moorpark residents on May 20th at the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center. He announced the Moorpark After Dark dance for teens at Arroyo Vista Recreation Center (AVRC) and the Skatefest at AVRC, where the new skate ramps would be on display and there would be a skate contest and climbing wall. Councilmember Wozniak discussed the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) meeting that he attended. He stated that Caltrans provided a map showing current projects, and the map is posted on the VCTC website. He stated VCTC will provide the City Council with information on a regular basis to keep them informed. Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 4 May 16, 2001 Councilmember Wozniak stated that Councilmember Mikos is a member of the Transportation Planning and Policy Committee of VCTC. He stated that Councilmember Mikos brought some unmet needs findings to his attention and those items were added to the VCTC agenda for discussion and were approved. 9. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None. 10. PRESENTATION /ACTION /DISCUSSION: A. Consider Appeal of Decision of the Director of Public Works Denying an Application from the County of Ventura for a Street Encroachment Permit to Construct Modifications to Street Improvements Related to a Proposed Project by the County to Realign Moorpark Road. (Continued from May 2, 2001.) Staff Recommendation: Continue to June 6, 2001. No staff report was given. MOTION: Councilmember Millhouse moved and Councilmember Mikos seconded a motion to continue this item to City Council meeting of June 6, 2001. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. B. Consider Proposed Operating and Capital Improvement Budgets for Fiscal Year 2001/2002. Staff Recommendation: Set budget workshop for May 23 or May 30, 2001. Mr. Kueny gave the staff report and thanked Ms. Shigley and her staff for their work on the budget. Councilmember Harper stated that he preferred the date of May 30 for a budget workshop, and Mayor Hunter stated he agreed with that date. CONSENSUS: By consensus, the City Council agreed to convene the budget workshop at a Special Meeting on May 30, 2001, at 6:30 p.m. C. Consider Proposed City Goals and Objectives for Fiscal Year 2001/2002. Staff Recommendation: Consider City Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 5 May 16, 2001 Goals and Objectives for Fiscal Year 2001/2002 with recommended budget. Councilmember Millhouse discussed the need for future capital improvement projects for youth sports, the need for more and better equipped sports fields for the middle school and high school sports teams and the adult league; the need for a community pool; and the need for adequate gymnasium facilities. He also discussed the need to plan for future facilities and keeping projects moving forward. He stated that by the next softball season, he wants to see the completion of an additional softball field and lighting installed for softball and for soccer practice in the evenings. He stated his second goal is completion of the community pool by a definitive date in 2003. He stated that the Moorpark Unified School District (MUSD) may not be able to financially participate at this time and for the time being we will only be able to complete one pool rather than the various types that were previously envisioned. He stated the MUSD is amenable to sharing gymnasium space when those projects are completed. He stated he wants to see four new Little League fields, restrooms and concession buildings. He suggested having the Parks and Recreation Commission look at Little League facility needs and make a recommendation to the City Council. Councilmember Mikos stated she would defer her comments until the May 17, 2001, special meeting. In response to Councilmember Mikos, Mr. Kueny stated that the two Commissions will have the benefit of having the draft goals and objectives and historically the budget is discussed with the goals and objectives. He stated at the May 17 joint meeting, the City Council would consider the Planning Commission's views on the Goals and Objectives. He advised that no final decisions are made by the City Council at the joint meetings with the Planning Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission. Councilmember Harper discussed the need for the City to look at passive open space and trail recreational opportunities. He stated he would like a broader spectrum of recreational opportunities and asked staff Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 6 May 16, 2001 to look into the possibility of the City providing a hiking trail opportunity in the open space area adjacent to Miller Park. Councilmember Millhouse stated he is also in favor of passive recreational opportunities and that is why he suggested opening up Arroyo Vista Community Park to allow for more passive types of activity. Mayor Hunter asked Ms. Lindley to obtain and provide preliminary cost estimates for the Arroyo Vista Community Park expansion at the joint City Council and Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. Councilmember Mikos suggested a discussion with the Parks and Recreation Commission at the joint meeting regarding using the Arroyo Simi as a scenic centerpiece and to utilize the natural area as a resource for passive recreation uses. CONSENSUS: By consensus, the City Council agreed to discuss the goals and objectives at the Special Meeting on May 30, 2001, at 6:30 p.m. D. Consider Route Freeway 23 Traffic Congestion. Staff Recommendation: Direct staff as deemed appropriate. Mr. Gilbert gave the staff report. Mr. Gilbert noted a correction on stamped page 26, Paragraph E. should state that when State Route 23 is widened, the bridges will be re- striped to put three lanes on the bridges rather than two lanes as stated in the report. In response to Mayor Hunter, Mr. Gilbert replied that new signals are being evaluated for certain off and on ramps. In response to Mayor Hunter, Mr. Gilbert replied that there have been discussions about widening Highway 101 to open up the bottleneck to allow State Route 23 to work better, but Caltrans could not secure funding. Councilmember Millhouse discussed the timeline for the approved Highway 23 project. He discussed the need for Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 7 May 16, 2001 an additional lane in each direction, which would mean a total of four lanes. He stated the City Council should make a formal request to Caltrans to limit the construction during peak traffic hours. He suggested there be no construction from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on the southbound side, and on the northbound side, no construction from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. He also suggested that truck traffic be restricted on Highway 23 for a certain period of time during the day. Mayor Hunter stated that although he is not as pessimistic for the approval of the travel lane; he is willing to pursue the lobbying efforts. He stated his agreement with limiting truck hours during construction. He also stated he would like to see the limited truck traffic hours continue to appear on plan and design specifications. Councilmember Mikos stated that a longer -term solution to the inadequate lanes on Highway 101 is to put some type of special lane or light rail system to help move more people through the corridor. Councilmember Millhouse stated his agreement that lobbying should continue, and other alternatives should be explored. He stated it would be beneficial to meet and work with other city councils to address the regional issues of our area. Mr. Gilbert stated the environmental document prepared for the three -lane project was less of an effort, because Caltrans had prepared a value analysis that the current traffic would not justify two additional lanes. He stated a four -lane project was determined by Caltrans to be growth inducing, which would have required an environmental impact report document for a significant growth- inducing impact. In response to Councilmember Harper, Mr. Gilbert replied that the bridge structures would require modifications, including abutments and driving piles in order to make the bridge abutments wide enough to handle the four lanes. In response to Councilmember Harper, Mr. Gilbert replied that he was unsure of the age of the bridges Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 8 May 16, 2001 involved and was not aware if there is a similar reactive aggregate problem in Simi Valley. Councilmember Millhouse stated that logically a fourth lane should be planned for State Route 23. He concurred with Councilmember Mikos regarding exploring other efforts for Highway 101. He discussed the need to work with other city councils and east county cities to be a more dynamic political force. Mayor Hunter stated he does not want to hold up the process. He agrees that the City should take a firm stance on removing the truck traffic from State Route 118 to State Route 23 through to State Route 101. He further stated that later this year, he will write a bill and submit it to the City Council for support to go along with AB500 signed in June 2000 by Governor Davis. He stated the purpose is to restrict trucks over a certain weight but that a strategy is needed for accommodating trucks on State Route 23. Councilmember Wozniak stated he does not want to see the City push just the fourth lane to be added and nothing else be done to correct the other problems. He stated we also need to address alternative means of transportation to solve the congestion problems. He stated adding lanes to State Route 23 will help alleviate some of the problems, but is not the only issue that needs to be addressed. Mayor Hunter stated that addition of the third and fourth travel lanes are only a short -term solution. Councilmember Wozniak stated the addition of lanes is a band -aid fix, and we need to plan better for the future by looking at both expansion and alternative means of transportation. Gerald Goldstein, a Moorpark resident, spoke about the older freeway systems and discussed transit ideas. Councilmember Millhouse stated the City Council needs to get its input to Caltrans in a timely manner regarding suggestions we have for the construction phase, construction hours, and restriction of trucks. Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 9 May 16, 2001 He commented that a list of suggestions could be discussed at the next City Council meeting. Councilmember Harper suggested carpooling to help reduce some of the traffic on the roadways. CONSENSUS: By consensus, the City Council directed staff to prepare a letter to Caltrans regarding mitigation of traffic congestion during construction, and schedule for council consideration at June 6, 2001, meeting. 11. CONSENT CALENDAR: MOTION: Councilmember Wozniak moved and Councilmember Harper seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar with the exception of Item 11.F. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. A. Consider Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of April 4, 2001. Staff Recommendation: Approve minutes as processed. B. Consider Approval of Warrant Register -May 16, 2001. Manual Warrants 105754 - 105763 $232,985.10 Voided Warrants 105551 $ (144.00) Pentamation additional 105786 105787 & remittance copies) 105788 Payroll Liability 105865 - 105873 $ 14,849.32 Warrants Regular Warrants 105770 - 105864 $542,465.66 Staff Recommendation: Approve the Warrant Register. C. Consider Next Bus Transit Information System. (Continued from May 2, 2001) Staff Recommendation: Approve VCTC's request for $5,000 for the Next Bus Project and direct staff to make the necessary transfers within the Transit Fund using TDA Article 8c revenue. (ROLL CALL VOTE REQUIRED) Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 10 May 16, 2001 D. Consider Approval of a Budget Amendment for the Purchase and Installation of Playground Equipment at Campus Park and Authorize Execution of Installation Agreement. Staff Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2001 -1841, amending the FY 2000/01 budget by transferring $4,100 from Park Improvement Fund, Zone 2, to the Campus Park Playground Equipment Project and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Premium Construction at a cost not to exceed $15,589 for removal and installation. (ROLL CALL VOTE REQUIRED) E. Consider Resolution No. 2001- 1842 regarding Transportation Congestion Relief Fund Allocation. Staff Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2001 -1842. G. Consider Resolution No. 2001 -1843 Establishing a Revised Classification Plan and Job Descriptions for Non - Competitive and Competitive Service Employees and Rescinding Resolution No. 2001 -1813 and Consider Resolution No. 2001 -1844 Amending the Salary Plan for Competitive Service, Non - Competitive Service and Hourly Employees, and Rescinding Resolution No. 2001- 1814. Staff Recommendation: 1) Adopt Resolution No. 2001 -1843 establishing a Revised Classification Plan and Job Descriptions for Non - Competitive and Competitive Service Employees and Rescinding Resolution No. 2001 -1813; and 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2001 -1844, amending the Salary Plan for Competitive Service, Non - Competitive Service and Hourly Employees, and rescinding Resolution No. 2001 -1814. H. Consider Approval of Budget Amendment for Backup Generator Power for the City Hall Annex Building. Staff Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2001 -1845, amending the FY 2000/01 Budget by allocating $4,400 from the General Fund Reserve for the design of a backup power system for the Annex and authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to the City's Agreement with Lundeen and Associates to perform the design work. (ROLL CALL VOTE REQUIRED) I. Consider Los Angeles Avenue Area of Contribution [L.A. Ave. AOC] and Gabbert Road -Casey Road Area of Contribution [Gabbert -Casey AOC] Fee Revisions. Staff Recommendation: 1) Set June 6, 2001, as the date of a public hearing to consider the proposed increase tc Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 11 May 16, 2001 the subject AOC fees; and 2) direct the City Clerk to give notice of said hearing in a manner consistent with the requirements of the appropriate sections of the Government Code. J. Consider Status Report on Spring Road and Tierra Rejada Road Area of Contribution (STR AOC) Fees. Staff Recommendation: Receive and file the report and direct staff to return with recommendation for schedule of loan repayments. The following item was pulled for individual consideration. F. Consider Report on the City of Moorpark's Energy Shortage Contingency Plan to Address Rotating Electrical Outages Affecting Moorpark. Staff Recommendation: Receive and file the report. Mayor Hunter stated he pulled this item to discuss railroad crossing arms and traffic lights AT THIS POINT in the meeting, Joseph Montes, Acting City Attorney arrived at the meeting. The time was 8:05 p.m. Hugh Riley gave the staff report. In response to Mayor Hunter, Mr. Riley replied that for initial power outages at the railroad crossings, the arm should operate automatically without external power. In response to Mayor Hunter, Mr. Riley stated he presumed the railroad crossings are inspected on a regular basis, however, he does no have specific information on the inspections. In response to Mayor Hunter, Captain LeMay replied that the Sheriff's Department does not have the ability to manually override the railroad crossing arms. Mayor Hunter requested a box item ensuring the rail crossings are regularly inspected, and that the Sheriff's Department request and be given manual override ability for the railroad crossings that affect the City of Moorpark. Councilmember Harper stated the batteries need to be maintained at full charge and asked if they are charged Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 12 May 16, 2001 automatically. Mr. Riley stated they do recharge automatically and should be at full capacity. In response to Mayor Hunter, Captain LeMay replied that he shares the Mayor's concerns. He stated it is still the policy of the Sheriff's Department that if signalized intersections are not working due to power outages, the Sheriff's Department is precluded from stationing personnel at those intersections. Mayor Hunter suggested getting the word out to the general public via Channel 10 to reinforce the Vehicle Code section about proper procedure for a four -way stop at a signalized intersection when the traffic signal is out. He requested that the City Manager provide a box item to the Council stating the options that are available to the City to protect the intersections. In response to Councilmember Mikos, Captain LeMay replied that the Sheriff's Department policy regarding not stationing personnel at intersections with non- functioning signals was formulated recently. He stated that the Sheriff's Department tries to give as much attention to the public safety as possible, while balancing liability issues. Councilmember Mikos suggested that on Channel 10, the City might provide tips to handling rolling blackouts during an emergency blackout. In response to Councilmember Millhouse, Mr. Riley replied that staff is researching the feasibility of obtaining battery backups for the signal lights to keep them operating during a blackout. Captain LeMay stated that when a traffic signal goes out under any circumstance, it should be adhered to as though it is a stop sign. In response to Mayor Hunter, Mr. Kueny replied that due to the issue of liability, deputies cannot be requested to post stop signs. In response to Mayor Hunter, Mr. Kueny stated that the major intersections in the City are controlled by Caltrans, and we will need to convince them that battery backups for traffic signals are an appropriate use of money. Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 13 May 16, 2001 Mayor Hunter requested that the Council be provided with cost estimates for traffic signal battery backups by the time they are considering the budget. Councilmember Wozniak suggested that stop signs be posted in intersections, because the City needs to take the extra step to prevent fatality accidents from occurring during these blackouts. In response to Councilmember Harper, Mr. Gilbert replied that the LED conversion is 90% complete. He stated the yellow lights have not yet been converted, because it was originally not thought to be cost effective to change those lights. He also advised that Caltrans has opted to now convert all of the amber lights. CONSENSUS: By consensus, the City Council directed staff to obtain additional information regarding acquiring and installing signs and report back to the Council as necessary 12. ORDINANCES: A. Consider Ordinance No. 271, A Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) 2001 -02 Related to Chapter 17.44, "Entitlement- Process and Procedure ", and Chapter 17.60, "Amendments to this Title ". Staff Recommendation: Declare Ordinance No. 271 read for the second time and adopted as read. CONSENSUS: By consensus, the City Council determined to continue this item to the City Council meeting of June 6, 2001. 13. CLOSED SESSION: Mr. Kueny announced that the City Council would be going into closed session for discussion of one case under Item 13.A., four cases under Item 13.B., and Items 13.C., 13.F., 13.I., 13.J. on the agenda. Mr. Montes announced that for the one case under Item 13.A. the facts and circumstances creating significant exposure to litigation consist of an appeal of denial of application for encroachment permit, Moorpark Road Realignment (County Project No. 50221), filed by the County of Ventura Public Works Agency on March 19, 2001. Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 14 May 16, 2001 Councilmember Mikos announced that she would not participate in the discussion for Items 13.C. and 13.F. MOTION: Councilmember Harper moved and Councilmember Wozniak seconded a motion to adjourn to closed session for a discussion one case under Item 13.A., four cases under Item 13.B., and Items 13.C., 13.F., 13.I., and 13.J. on the agenda. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote. The time was 8:23 p.m. A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Subdivision (b) of Section 54956.9 of the Government Code: (Number of cases to be discussed - 4) B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Initiation of litigation pursuant to Subdivision (c) of Section 54956.9 of the Government Code: (Number of cases to be discussed - 4) C. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (Subdivision (a) of Section 54956.9) The Environmental Coalition of Ventura County vs. City of Moorpark and City Council of the City of Moorpark (Case No. SCO21825) F. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (Subdivision (a) of Section 54956.9) Hidden Creek Ranch, LP, a California Limited Partnership and Messenger Investment Company, Inc., a California Corporation vs. The City of Moorpark and City Council of the City of Moorpark (Case No. SCO23388) I. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6) Agency Designated Representative: Steven Kueny Employee Organization: Service Employees International Union, AFL -CIO, CPC, Local 998 J. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6) Agency Designated Representative: Steven Kueny Unrepresented employees: Assistant City Manager, Director of Administrative Services, ATCM /City Clerk, Director of Community Development, Director of Community Services, Director of Public Works, Minutes of the City Council Moorpark, California Page 15 May 16, 2001 Finance /Accounting Manager, Planning Manager, Principal Planner, Recreation Superintendent, and Senior Management Analyst Present in closed session were Mayor Hunter, Councilmember Harper, Councilmember Mikos, Councilmember Millhouse, and Councilmember Wozniak; Steven Kueny, City Manager; Hugh Riley, Assistant City Manager; Ken Gilbert, Public Works Director; Wayne Loftus, Community Development Director; and Deborah Traffenstedt, Assistant to City Manager /City Clerk. Councilmember Mikos left the meeting at 9:15 p.m., prior to discussion of Items 13.C. and 13.F. She returned to the closed session at 9:30 p.m. Mr. Loftus and Mr. Riley left the meeting at 9:55 p.m., prior to discussion of Items 13.1. and 13.J. The Council reconvened into open session at 10:08 p.m. Mr. Kueny stated that one case under Item 13.A., four cases under Item 13.B., and Items 13.C., 13.F., 13.I., and 13.J. were discussed and that there was no action to report. 14. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Hunter adjourned the ATTEST: Deborah S. Traf fens`bedt City Clerk