City Council Minutes of March 11, 2009 – click here -
Agenda for March 25, 2009
AGENDA
WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
111 EAST COMMERCIAL STREET
WILLITS, CALIFORNIA
* * * * * * * *
March 25, 2009* * * * 7:00 p.m.
1. OPENING MATTERS –
a) Call to order;
b) Pledge to flag;
c) Roll Call
2. PUBLIC MATTERS
A. PUBLIC SERVICE AWARDS – 25 Years of Service
B. PUBLIC HEARING: Discussion and Possible Adoption of Resolution Approving Changes in Certain Fees and Charges for Use of Willits Center for the Arts Building Effective April 1, 2009
3. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS – Council welcomes participation in its meetings. Comments shall be limited to five minutes per person so that everyone may be given an opportunity to be heard. To expedite matters and avoid repetition, whenever any group of persons wishes to address the Council on the same subject matter, the Mayor may request that a spokesperson be chosen by the group. This item is limited to matters under the jurisdiction of the City Council which are not on the posted agenda. Public criticism of the City Council, Commission, Boards and Agencies will not be prohibited. No action shall be taken.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR – Matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion.
ACTION RECOMMENDED
A. City Council Minutes of 3/11/09—————-Approve
B. Warrants#12240-12350 = $327,838.18——————–Approve
C. Contract with Hilovsky Construction to Supply and ———Approve
Install 10,000 Gallon Steel Corrugated Steel Water Tank
At the Willits Integrated Services Center
D. Contract with Hilovsky Construction to Supply and———-Approve
Install 10,000 Gallon Steel Corrugated Steel Water Tank
At Brookside Farm
5. RIGHT TO APPEAL - Persons who are dissatisfied with the decisions of the City Council may have the right to a review of that decision by a court. The City has adopted Section 1094.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure which generally limits to 90 days the time within which the decisions of the City boards and agencies may be judicially challenged.
6. COMMISSIONS, AGENCIES AND AUTHORITIES
None
7. OLD BUSINESS
None
8. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Discussion and Possible Action regarding Direction for Resolution with Shafer Ranch Residents over Water system Connection
B. Discussion and Possible Action to the Status of City Council Committees as Related to Standing Committees versus Ad Hoc Committees
C. Discussion and Possible Action Awarding Contract for Professional Services for City of Willits Design and Construction Standards
D. Discussion and Possible Action to Adopt Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Submit an Application to the State of California Water Resources Control Board under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for Various Projects and Naming the City Manager as the Authorized Designee to Sign the Applications, Updates and Amendments Thereto
E. Other Reports – Oral/No Action
9. DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Police Chief
B. City Planner
C. City Attorney
D. Public Works Director
E. City Engineer
F. Finance Director
10. CITY COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. MCOG
B. LAFCO
C. MTA
D. REVIT-ED COMMITTEE
E. MSWMA-JPA
F. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & FINANCING CORP. (EDFC)
G. LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES
H. WATER RESOURCES COMMITTEE
I. SEWER SYSTEM COMMITTEE
J. SHERWOOD VALLEY RANCHERIA CASINO PROJECT AD HOC COMMITTEE
K. CALTRANS AD HOC COMMITTEE
L. OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS
11. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
12. ENACTMENT OF ORDINANCES
A. Next Ordinance: 2009-03
B. Next Resolution: 2009-05
C. Next Planning Commission Resolution: 2009-01
D. Next Community Development Agency Resolution: 2009-01
13. GOOD & WELFARE
14. CLOSED SESSION NOTICE
15. ADJOURNMENT
NOTE: The meeting room is wheelchair accessible and disabled parking is available. If you are a person with a disability and you need disability-related modifications or accommodations to participate in this meeting, please contact Marilyn Harden at (707) 459-7120 or FAX (707) 459-1562. Requests for such modifications or accommodations must be made at least two full business days before the start of the meeting.
NOTE: Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the Willits City Council/ Planning Commission/Community Development Agency after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at City Clerk’s office at 111 E. Commercial Street, Willits during normal business hours.
Administrative Progress Report – March 22nd 2009
City of Willits
MEMORANDUM
Date: March 20, 2009
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Paul Cayler, City Manager
Subject: Administrative Progress Report
The following developments may be of interest to you and the community-at-large. Please contact me at (707) 459-4601, if you have any questions.
LAKE LEVELS
The additional splashboards have been installed in the Centennial Reservoir spillway. Morris and Centennial Reservoirs are full to the top and spilling over the splashboards. This is the maximum storage capacity. The estimated capacity is greater than 1,300 acre feet of water in storage at this time. Per the Willits Municipal Code the minimum water storage as of May 1st must be equal or greater than 1,170 acre feet in order to lift all water emergency regulations.
HEDGES
This is a controversial topic related to hedge and fence height limitations in front yard setbacks. Back several months ago, code enforcement activity in this area generated much public input during the Public Comment section of a regular City Council Meeting. Based on input from the City Council at the March 11, 2009, meeting staff has set this issue for a Special Meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2009, at 5:00pm.
SALES TAX REVENUE
The preliminary City of Willits sales tax revenue report from the 4th Quarter of 2008 is in. The news is not encouraging for the City, region or state. The comparison of 4th Quarter data from 2007 to 2008 indicates a decrease in the City of Willits of 11%. This downward trend for the 4th quarter sales tax is the same for Mendocino County (-7.1), the North Coast Region (-9.4), and statewide (-10.8). Staff will be receiving current sales tax projections for the Fiscal Year 2009/2010 soon based on this newest sales tax information. These up-to-date revenue projections will then be used for the budget development process that is presently underway.
SEWER PLANT PROJECT COST ESTIMATE
At the City Sewer Committee meeting on Thursday, March 19, 2009, an updated cost estimate for the sewer plant project was presented. The estimate for construction of Phases 1, 2 and 3 is now $30,918,229. The next step in project development will be the retention of a rate setting expert to proceed with a Proposition 218 rate study in order to determine where sewer rates will need to be set to support the proposed project. Tentatively, the matter of the rate setting expert will be brought forward to the City Council at the April 8, 2006, regular meeting.
TSUNAMI WARNING TEST
There will be a Tsunami Warning Test in the Mendocino and Humboldt County region on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, between 10:15am and 10:45am. This is the first time that a “live” tsunami warning code, rather than a test code, will be broadcast on radio and television stations. It is very important that the public is informed of this test ahead of time so they do not mistake the test for a real tsunami warning. The National Weather Service office in Eureka will initiate this test by activating the Emergency Alert System (EAS). This test of the Tsunami Warning System will involve NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, local TV and radio stations, and other local communication sources. Radio listeners should hear the familiar alerting tone followed by an audio message describing the test, similar to the routine monthly tests of the EAS. The general public should remember that the March 25th activity is a test and they should not respond as though there is a real tsunami. The public SHOULD NOT call 9-1-1 to find out what is going on.
KIDS CLUB
The Kids Club project is suspended due to the State of California freezing grant funding for parks and recreation projects. There is no news from the State on whether the grant funding will be unfrozen anytime soon. An inspection of the Kids Club project was conducted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009, as a part of extending the present suspension for another 60 days between Cupples Construction and the City of Willits. As a part of this inspection, it was identified that the partially completed structure was suffering due to the incomplete building siding. Mr. Eric Glassey, representing the Willits Kids Club, Inc, suggested that the Kids Club will provide a no interest loan to the City in the value needed to complete the building siding, thus securing the structure from further damage. This loan would be re-paid by the City once the State grant disbursement begins. The estimated amount to complete the siding, and possibly re-key the building, is $10,000. As of the writing of this report, it appears that a favorable agreement with the Willits Kids Club will be achieved in order for a temporary lifting of the project suspension to complete the building siding work, and possible re-keying.
REQUEST FOR A SENIORS PROTECTION RESOLUTION
A gentleman named Mr. J.R. Rose has approached the City for a resolution of support for senior citizen eligibility for entitlement programs, and thereby authorizing the City Council to support state and federal legislation that would increase protections for senior citizens disqualified from public programs. I have reviewed the draft resolution provided by Mr. Rose, and discussed it with him. The resolution provides for no other obligation on the City short of supporting state and federal legislation to protect senior citizen entitlement rights. Mr. Rose is going to all the city councils and board of supervisors in the region requesting that they approve a similar resolution. Mr. Rose stated that the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors approved the resolution on March 3, 2009, and that the Ukiah City Council is scheduled to consider the resolution soon. I have told Mr. Rose to contact me after the City of Ukiah approves the resolution. Then at that time, I will consider forwarding the matter to the Willits City Council. If you would like to review the draft resolution as presented by Mr. Rose, please contact me.
Special City Council Minutes of February 27, 2009 – click here -
Community Development Minutes – February 25, 2009 -click here-
City Council Minutes of February 25, 2009 – click here -
City Council Minutes of February 11, 2009 – click here -
Memorandum – March 6th, 2009.
City of Willits
MEMORANDUM
Date: March 6, 2009
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Paul Cayler, City Manager
Subject: Administrative Progress Report
The following developments may be of interest to you and the community-at-large. Please contact me at (707) 459-4601, if you have any questions.
LAKE LEVELS
Morris and Centennial Reservoirs are at 1,343 acre feet. This is near the maximum storage capacity. Per the Willits Municipal Code the minimum water storage as of May 1st must be equal or greater than 1,170 acre feet in order to lift all water emergency regulations. I am hopeful that moderate rains will continue through the end of winter and early spring so that emergency regulations may be eliminated.
SHAFER RANCH ROAD
This issue is related to a group of dissatisfied water system users that reside outside the City Limits. The situation developed because five residences use one water meter. Water Plant Supervisor and I met with all the Shafer Ranch Road residents a second time on Thursday, February 19, 2009. The broad agreement has been achieved on many issues. The largest remaining issue appears whether the Shafer Ranch Road residents should pay the capital improvement fee for new water service customers outside the City Limits. This issue was reviewed by the Water Resources Committee on Wednesday, March 4, 2009. The Committee directed that it be brought to the City Council as soon as appropriate. Tentatively, the issue will be set for the March 25, 2009, City Council meeting.
SPECIAL ELECTION
Per the new State Budget, there will be a Special Election on May 19, 2009. The Special Election will ask voters to consider a number of initiatives to implement the State Budget compromise. Absentee ballots will begin to be sent out on April 20, 2009. The last day to register to vote prior in order to participate in the Special Election will be May 4, 2009.
MEETING WITH FIELD REPRESENTATIVE OF U.S. SENATOR BARBARA BOXER
I met with Ms. Jennifer Tang on Monday, March 2, 2009, in Ukiah. Ms. Tang is Senator Barbara Boxer’s Field Representative working out of the San Francisco Office. Ms. Tang is conducting “office hours” in Mendocino County. I spoke to Ms. Tang about concerns related to the State of California to effectively administer the Federal Stimulus money as related to the failure of the State to disburse State Park Grants. I also encouraged Ms. Tang to visit Willits in the future for the purpose of holding “office hours” here so that Willits citizens may have a chance to be heard.
HEDGES
This is a highly controversial topic related to hedge and fence height limitations in front yard setbacks. Back several months, code enforcement activity in this area generated much public input during the Public Comment section of a regular City Council Meeting. Staff is in the process of preparing a staff report in order that the matter may be placed on an upcoming City Council meeting agenda for discussion and possible action. Tentatively, the issue will be set for the March 25, 2009, City Council meeting.
CITY BUDGET
City staff conducted its Fiscal Year 2009/2010 Budget Preparation Kick Off Staff Meeting on Tuesday, March 3, 2009. Unlike recent past years, there is now reliable fund balance information to guide the budget process. There is great concern for the upcoming year’s budget in the face of projected sales tax decreases, increasing expenses, the failure of the State to meet its grant obligations, and the general economic downturn. To that end, the City budget process begins one month earlier than past years. Department Heads will be submitting their proposed budgets to the Finance Director and City Manager at individual meetings over the next 60 days. The City Finance Committee will consider the first draft of the proposed budget on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 5 and 6, 2009. A City Council budget workshop is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2009.
REMCO
On Tuesday, March 10, 2009, the City Attorney and I will be attending a meeting at the North Coast Regional Water Control Board offices in Santa Rosa where the Willits Remediation Trust will be making a presentation on proposed feasibility goals for the REMCO site.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
On Wednesday, March 4, 2009, Community Development Director Alan Falleri and I met with Todd Crabtree and Craig Schlatter of the Community Development Commission (CDC) to discuss forming a partnership to apply for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds in order to do low income housing rehabilitation programs and other community development projects. The concept being that CDC staff would prepare a grant application for the City, and if the City’s grant application is successful, then the CDC would administer the program and complete grant reporting. CDC would be reimbursed for their work by funds that are provided in the grant for administration. The next step is that the CDC will be proposing a draft agreement to City staff for review and consideration.
SEWER
Business related to the City’s sewer treatment and collection system is moving forward. Development of this project will have critical impacts on the community. There are two upcoming sewer meetings, which citizens should be aware. The two meetings are as follows:
Brooktrails/City Joint Sewer Committee March 9, 2009 @ 4 pm in the Brooktrails Community Center (24859 Birch Street)
City Sewer Committee March 19, 2009 @ 4 pm in the City Council Chambers (111 East Commercial St.)
Agenda for March 11, 2009
AGENDA
WILLITS CITY COUNCIL
111 EAST COMMERCIAL STREET
WILLITS, CALIFORNIA
* * * * * * * *
March 11, 2009* * * * 7:00 p.m.
1. OPENING MATTERS –
a) Call to order;
b) Pledge to flag;
c) Roll Call
2. PUBLIC MATTERS
3. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS – Council welcomes participation in its meetings. Comments shall be limited to five minutes per person so that everyone may be given an opportunity to be heard. To expedite matters and avoid repetition, whenever any group of persons wishes to address the Council on the same subject matter, the Mayor may request that a spokesperson be chosen by the group. This item is limited to matters under the jurisdiction of the City Council which are not on the posted agenda. Public criticism of the City Council, Commission, Boards and Agencies will not be prohibited. No action shall be taken.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR - Matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion.
ACTION RECOMMENDED
A. City Council Minutes of 2/25/09, 2/27/09 & Amended——Approve
2/11/09
B. Warrants #12130-12239 = $522,893.16———————–Approve
C. RESOLUTION 2009-04 Appointing Paul Cayler as the City——-Approve
of Willits Alternate Representative to the Redwood Empire
Municipal Insurance (REMIF) Board of Directors
D. Building Inspection Activity Report – February 2009————-Accept
5. RIGHT TO APPEAL - Persons who are dissatisfied with the decisions of the City Council may have the right to a review of that decision by a court. The City has adopted Section 1094.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure which generally limits to 90 days the time within which the decisions of the City boards and agencies may be judicially challenged.
6. COMMISSIONS, AGENCIES AND AUTHORITIES
A. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
1. Approval of Community Development Agency Minutes of 2/25/09
2. Discussion and Possible Action Approving a Grant in the Amount of $25,000 to the Renewable Energy Development Institute to Continue Funding for the Home Energy Link Program
7. OLD BUSINESS
None
8. CITY MANAGER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Contract with Capability Brown Landscaping for Installation of Rainwater Catchment System at Brookside Farm
B. Discussion and Possible Action Approving Contract Amendment Number Two with Cupples & Sons, Inc. on the Willits Kids Club Project
C. Discussion and Possible Action Awarding Contract for Professional Services for Safe Routes to School Plan
D. Discussion and Possible Action to Approve Contract Amendment Number Three with SHN Engineering for Additional Environmental and Permitting Services for the Wastewater Treatment Project
E. Discussion and Possible Action Approving Contract with Wipf Construction to Provide Emergency Sewer Line Cleaning Services
F. Discussion and Possible Action to Include Mendocino County Supervisor John Pinches on the Caltrans Ad Hoc Committee
G. Discussion and Possible Action Awarding Contract for Professional Services for a Seismic Review of Morris Dam
H. Other Reports – Oral/No Action
9. DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Police Chief
B. City Planner
C. City Attorney
D. Public Works Director
E. City Engineer
F. Finance Director
10. CITY COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. MCOG
B. LAFCO
C. MTA
D. REVIT-ED COMMITTEE
E. MSWMA-JPA
F. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & FINANCING CORP. (EDFC)
G. LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES
H. WATER RESOURCES COMMITTEE
I. SEWER SYSTEM COMMITTEE
J. EXPLORATION OF POTENTIAL ENERGY SOURCES AD HOC COMMITTEE
K. SHERWOOD VALLEY RANCHERIA CASINO PROJECT AD HOC COMMITTEE
L. CALTRANS AD HOC COMMITTEE
M. OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS
11. COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
12. ENACTMENT OF ORDINANCES
A. Discussion and Possible Action Adopting Ordinance Amending Chapter 14.90 of the Willits Municipal Code in Order to Declare Water Storage Emergencies under Extraordinary Circumstances
Next Ordinance: 2009-02
Next Resolution: 2009-05
Next Planning Commission Resolution: 2009-01
Next Community Development Agency Resolution: 2009-01
13. GOOD & WELFARE
14. CLOSED SESSION NOTICE
15. ADJOURNMENT
NOTE: The meeting room is wheelchair accessible and disabled parking is available. If you are a person with a disability and you need disability-related modifications or accommodations to participate in this meeting, please contact Marilyn Harden at (707) 459-7120 or FAX (707) 459-1562. Requests for such modifications or accommodations must be made at least two full business days before the start of the meeting.
NOTE: Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the Willits City Council/ Planning Commission/Community Development Agency after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at City Clerk’s office at 111 E. Commercial Street, Willits during normal business hours.