City Council Minutes of February 25, 2009 – click here -
Willits City Council
111 East Commercial Street Wednesday
Willits, CA 95490 February 25, 2009 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Larry Stranske called a regular meeting of the City Council to order at the above time and place. The meeting was preceded by the pledge to the flag.
Roll:
Present – Council Members Victor Hanson, Greg Kanne, Holly Madrigal Bruce Burton and Mayor Larry Stranske
Absent – None
Also present were staff members City Manager Paul Cayler, Community Development Director Alan Falleri, Police Chief Gerry Gonzalez, Public Works Director Dave Madrigal, Water Plant Supervisor Denny Caine, Finance Director Joanne Cavallari, and City Attorney Jim Lance.
Mayor Stranske called for a moment of silence in memory of City of Willits Police Officer Dave Tiller who had passed away that morning.
PUBLIC MATTERS
Charles Fielder, CalTrans District One Director, came forward and provided a brief review of the Willits Bypass Project. He reported that planning for the project had been moving forward, with environmental and permitting being the most challenging issues. He answered to concerns raised by Council Member Burton about a recent mailing to area property owners asking if they would be interested in selling their property to CalTrans for mitigation purposes. He assured the council that condemnation was not being considered as a means to acquire property for mitigation. Dave Kelly, CalTrans Project Engineer, came forward and offered to send a follow-up letter to those property owners to clarify CalTrans’ intentions. He spoke in favor of the Council’s recent action to establish a CalTrans Ad Hoc Committee. Council Member Burton suggested inviting Supervisor John Pinches to sit on the Ad Hoc Committee. Supervisor Pinches, who was present in the audience, voiced his agreement with the proposal. City Manager Cayler reported that he had acquired documents from other locations to use as models for the various agreements which would have to be negotiated between Willits and CalTrans. Mr. Kelly provided a tentative timeline for the project, with construction to begin in the summer of 2010. There was some discussion about potential borrow sites, with Oil Well Hill being the most likely site. Supervisor Pinches came forward to express his optimism about the positive effects the construction phase would have on the local economy.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS – Mayor Stranske read the public communication guidelines.
Jane McCabe with the Willits Healthy Action Team (WHAT) invited the community to participate in the upcoming 10,000 step walk scheduled for Saturday March 7th. Dick Winkle added that two Willits High School seniors were using the walk as their senior project to raise money for cancer awareness. He also reported that the Willits Farmers Market would be moving to the Grange for the month of March. Tom Woodhouse thanked the WHAT members for cleaning up after last year’s walk. He voiced concern about the Public Works Department’s plan for an ADA ramp in front of his property. Ian Fitzpatrick with the Howard Hospital Foundation thanked the WHAT group for their fund raising programs. Marcia deChadenedes, Project Coordinator, came forward to provide information on the California North Coast Geotourism Project. She distributed nomination forms and information about the project, and answered questions from the Council and audience.
CONSENT CALENDAR ACTION TAKEN
City Council Minutes of 02/11/09 Approved
Warrants #12008 -12129 = $365,157.23 Approved
Building Inspection Activity Report – January 2009 Approved
Motion Burton /2nd Madrigal and unanimous vote by the Council Members to approve Consent Calendar, Items A – C.
RIGHT TO APPEAL – Mayor Stranske read the guidelines for appealing Council decisions.
7:50 p.m. Council recessed, and reconvened as Community Development Agency
7:55 p.m. Council reconvened
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION FOR COOPERATIVE CITY-COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF WILLITS AND THE COUNTY OF MENDOCINO
City Manager Cayler explained the terms of the proposed agreement between the City of Willits and the County of Mendocino for animal control services. He reported that field services have been turned over to the County Sheriff’s Department, and outlined the services that would be provided by the agreement. He clarified that there would be two agreements in the future, one for field operations and one for shelter services. There is also a capital agreement covering the construction of the new shelter built in 2003 which the City would continue to pay until the possible opt-out date in 2011. Bliss Fischer and Stacey Cryer from the Mendocino County Health and Human Services Agency came forward and answered questions from the Council on such topics as stray cats, stray livestock, barking dogs, and injured animals. Sheriff Tom Allman came forward and stated that animal control was a necessary part of public safety. He outlined his plans for staffing and training, and provided data on calls to animal control during the prior year. Willits City Police Chief, Gerry Gonzalez described the nuisance abatement procedures to follow in the case of barking dogs.
Motion Kanne/2nd Hanson carried by roll call vote, to approve the Cooperative City-County Animal Control Agreement between the City of Willits and the County of Mendocino, and authorize the City Manager to execute same.
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE DIRECTION TO CREATE A CITIZEN SUGGESTION BOX ON THE CITY’S WEBSITE
City Manager Cayer provided a brief review of the concept of providing a section on the City’s website for public comment, and outlined his concerns about credibility of the information received and the time it would take staff to verify information and respond. He reminded the Council that the City did have a Citizen Report Form which was available at City Hall. Council Member Kanne commented that the program was envisioned as a means to invite positive suggestions from residents, and not intended to place a burden on City staff. Council Member Hanson agreed. Tom Woodhouse came forward to thank the City Manager and Council for their consideration of his suggestion, noting that there was no great urgency to act on the proposal. Larry Desmond came forward with positive comments on the idea. David Partch stated his opinion that the City government and staff had an image problem in the community. Council Member Madrigal pointed out that the process should work both directions, public to City and City to public. She suggested developing a newsletter to post on the City website. City Manager Cayler offered to post his biweekly administrative progress reports on the website. The council members agreed to table the item for future discussion.
OTHER REPORTS – CITY MANAGER
City Manager Cayler reported that a representative from Senator Barbara Boxer’s office would be in Ukiah on March 2nd and in Fort Bragg on March 3rd. He reported that City staff had submitted a pre-application to the Department of Health Services for approximately $2 million in stimulus money to fund the North Main Street water line replacement project. He asked that the Sewer Committee set a meeting to review the cost estimates of the Waste Water Treatment Project. He also reported that delivery of the Ukiah Daily Journal Sampler would be discontinued after March 3rd, MCOG was scheduled to meet on March 2nd, and he was planning a public meeting to review plans for the West Commercial Street paving project. He asked for input on a proposal to post videos of council meetings on UkiahValley.tv, and reminded the council and public that there would be a workshop on the Brown Act at noon on Friday, February 27, 2009.
9:05 p.m. Council recessed
9:10 p.m. Council reconvened
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Police Chief Gerardo Gonzalez thanked Mayor Stranske for the moment of silence in honor of Officer Tiller. He announced the plans for a memorial on Saturday, February 28th, which would include a processional of local police and fire vehicles. City coverage would be provided by the CHP and Ukiah Police Department. He offered comments on the citizen suggestion box proposal, noting his experiences with similar programs used by police departments. He reported that Community Services Officer Brandi Gamble had been talking with local merchants to get input on parking issues, and that the parking ticket program was ready to implement. He also reported on a recent walk-through of the Remco facility.
Community Development Director Allen Falleri provided an update on the selection process for the Water Conservation Specialist position. He reported that the Revit-ED committee proposed formation of a citizens committee to discuss Main Street improvements, and that he would be adding an item on the March 19th Revit-ED agenda to receive input on locations for new bike racks to be purchased with grant money from MCOG.
City Attorney Lance commented that the Brown Act workshop on February 27th would be a Power Point presentation on the basics, lasting approximately one hour. He also reminded the council members about the requirement for ethics training every two years. City Manager Cayler commented that a free class was available online through the State Attorney General’s office website.
Public Works Director Madrigal reported that he had been working on the review of the Safe Routes to Schools plan proposal, and that he would be receiving RFPs for design and construction standards. He pointed out that the majority of City projects are preceded by public workshops, and that he welcomed public input at any time. He reported that there would be a Commercial Street/Central Street project kick-off meeting on Monday, March 2nd. He had attended an MCOG meeting to discuss availability of stimulus money, the West Commercial Street project would be ready to go out to bid in April, pending approval by CalTrans, and that five properties had been identified as recommended locations for the new bike racks.
Finance Director Joanne Cavallari reported that the draft June 30, 2008 audited financial statements had been received, and that the bound copies should be available within a few weeks. She also updated the council on the status of the 2009/10 budget process.
CITY COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
LAFCO – Council Member Madrigal reported that LAFCO was scheduled to meet on March 2, 2009.
MSWMA JPA- Council Member Hanson reported that the committee was scheduled to meet on March 14, 2009.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & FINANCING CORP – Council Member Madrigal reported that the committee had met, and that there was a very large turnout to discuss the availability of federal stimulus money.
WATER RESOURCES COMMITTEE – Mayor Stranske reported that the committee was scheduled to meet on March 4, 2009.
SEWER SYSTEM COMMITTEE – Mayor Stranske reported that the committee had not met, but would be scheduling a meeting soon to discuss the Waster Water Treatment Plant Project.
NCRA LIAISON AD HOC COMMITTEE – Council Member Kanne asked if the committee could be dropped from the list. City Manager Cayler offered to research the status of the committee and remove it from the list if appropriate.
OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS – Council Member Madrigal reported that a committee had been formed in response to the introduction of AB390, a bill which would legalize marijuana. City Attorney Lance reminded the council that marijuana would still be illegal under federal law, and that there was a City ordinance which declared it a nuisance and banned dispensaries of medical marijuana within the city limits.
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Council Member Hanson reported that he would undergo a medical procedure on March 10, 2009, but that he expected to be able to attend the next meeting.
ENACTMENT OF ORDINANCES
Mayor Stranske read the title of the proposed ordinance. City Manager Cayler commented that the adoption of the ordinance could be done through the normal process, as opposed to the expedited emergency process, as both reservoirs had risen to capacity due to recent rainfall. Council Member Burton questioned the necessity of the amendment, noting the levels in the lakes. Council Member Kanne commented that the amendment would provide flexibility in the future should a water emergency of any nature arise. City Manager Cayler commented that the amendment addresses shortcomings in the original ordinance, and recommended that the Council pass the ordinance. Council Member Hanson voiced concern about the number of rules and regulations presently on the books.
Motion Madrigal /2nd Kanne and carried by roll call vote, with Council Member Burton opposed, to introduce ordinance amending Chapter 14.90 of the Willits Municipal Code to declare water storage emergencies and impose emergency water use restrictions under extraordinary circumstances direct staff to publish a summary as required by law, and to bring the matter before the council at its regular meeting on March 11, 2009 for adoption.
GOOD & WELFARE
Council Member Madrigal reported that she had seen former Council Member Karen Oslund’s son, who is serving as a page at the Capitol in Washington DC, on television in the background during President Obama’s recent address.
Community Development Director Falleri reported that several new merchants in town had joined the Local First group and that he appreciated their input and involvement. He also reported that he and Council Member Madrigal had been invited to speak in Sonoma County to share their ideas with leaders of other communities.
9:50 p.m. – Motion Hanson/2nd Kanne and unanimous vote to adjourn.
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Larry Stranske, Mayor
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Joanne Cavallari, Deputy City Clerk