2005/01/19 City Council MinutesCITY OF ROHNERT PARK
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
January 19, 2005
Tuesday
The Rohnert Park City Council met this date for a
Special Meeting to commence at 5:00 p.m. at the Rohnert
Park City Hall, Council Chambers, 6750 Commerce Boulevard,
Rohnert Park, with Mayor Mackenzie presiding.
CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Mackenzie CALLED the Special Meeting to order at
5:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: (5) Councilmembers Flores, Smith and Spradlin;
Vice Mayor Vidak- Martinez; and Mayor Mackenzie
Absent: (0) None
Staff present for all or part of the Regular Session:
City Manager Leivo, Assistant City Manager Donley, Interim
City Attorney Whelan, Senior Planner Bendorff, Finance
Director Lipitz, Finance Services Manager Lauchner, Utility
Billing Supervisor Owens, City Engineer Jenkins, Senior
Engineering Technician Pedroncelli and City Clerk Hauff.
1. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES /COMMENTS:
No members of the public responded.
2. GENERAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION:
a..Staff Report: City Manager Leivo referred to Senior
Planner Bendorff, who shared the contents of the Staff
Report.
b. Public Comments:
1. Ken Blackman, Santa Rosa, was recognized and shared
information on the presence of the California Tiger
Salamander in the vicinity of the Northwest Specific
Plan Area. He expressed an interest in coming to an
agreement as opposed to litigation. He discussed the
Wetlands permit process and the terms for the Northwest
area.
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c. Council Discussion /Direction: Councilmember Smith
made a MOTION TO DIRECT STAFF to prepare a historical
summary on the Hewlett Packard property and its
effect on growth management, specifically zoning
issues within the City limits and issues related to
the surrounding area such as Canon Manor.
Councilmember Flores seconded said motion and
REQUESTED a report on the use of water for industrial
projects as compared to residential projects. Said
motion was UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
Staff responded to further Council inquiries about
the Administrative Draft EIR, the Supplemental EIR
and the stadium lands. Council CONCURRED with a
SUGGESTION from Mayor Mackenzie for Council to have a
separate discussion on Community Separator and Open
Space Area Mitigation issues.
City Manager Leivo shared additional comments on
sewer projects and the policy to increase the use of
recycled water in the Specific Plan Areas. City
Engineer Jenkins elaborated on the preparation of
infrastructure studies for water /sewer /storm
facilities.
Mayor Mackenzie asked interested members of the
audience for further comments. He acknowledged that
interested parties in the audience nodded their
heads in agreement that City staff is working in the
right direction on these matters.
BREAK FOR DINNER:
Council recessed for Dinner Break at 5:45 p.m.
RECONVENE REGULAR SESSION:
Council reconvened Regular Session at 6:15 p.m.
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3. FINANCE DEPARTMENT MATTERS:
Finance Presentation - Fiscal Year 2003 -2004
a. Staff Report: Finance Director Lipitz shared the
contents of the Staff Report via a Power Point
presentation, and staff responded to Council
questions /comments. Councilmember Smith noted that
he was awaiting a report from the City Attorney
regarding matters he may need to abstain from due to
where he lives. Councilmember Flores INQUIRED about
a meeting with community groups interested in using
the Southwest Boulevard Fire Station. City Manager
Leivo noted that staff is in the process of setting up
such a meeting.
b. Public Comments: None.
c. Council Discussion /Direction: Councilmember Flores
acknowledged that the Council recognizes how hard all
City employees are working, and he REQUESTED that
administration share that message. Councilmember
Smith inquired about an adequate ratio for reserves.
Water /Sewer Rates
a. Staff Report /Presentation by Consultants Bartle Wells:
City Manager Leivo shared opening comments, and Tom
Gaffney, Principal, and Sophia Skoda, Vice President,
of Bartle Wells shared a Power Point presentation.
Staff and Bartle Wells representatives responded to
Council questions /comments.
b. Public Comments:
1. Linda Beltz, 6182 San Bruno Court, was recognized and
expressed concern with the water rates for multiple
families living in one home. She urged Council to
consider ways of helping such families with their water
bills.
2. Paul Libeu, 33 Frederick Drive, was recognized and
inquired as to whether the City intends to install meters
in homeowners, associations. A copy of the Water /Sewer
Rates Power Point presentation was PROVIDED to Mr. Libeu
at his request. City Manager Leivo commented on the
reasons why the City does not install individual meters
.in mobilehome parks and apartment complexes.
Councilmember Flores SUGGESTED that staff review this
matter.
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c. Council Discussion /Direction: Upon MOTION by
Councilmember Smith, seconded by Vice Mayor Vidak-
Martinez, a motion to DIRECT STAFF to submit the
draft revenue program for sewer force main funding
to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) was
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
Upon MOTION by Councilmember Flores, seconded by
Councilmember Spradlin, a motion was made to DIRECT
STAFF to research a multiple -tier water rates program
with no additional work session. Staff stated they
will prepare a recommendation, based on Bartle Wells'
recommendations of some specific rates for sewer and
water rate increases over three years, for Council
review in February with a Public Hearing. Said motion
was UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED with staff direction and
recommendations.
4. WILFRED/GOLF COURSE AND HIGHWAY 101 INTERCHANGE:
a. Staff Report /Presentation by CalTrans: CalTrans
representatives, Rey Centeno and Zack Matley, and
City Engineer Jenkins provided the staff report
with the use of posters, and they responded to
Council questions /comments. City Manager Leivo
stated that staff recommended the Preferred
Alternative Redesign Plan from CalTrans.
b. Public Comments:
1. Eric Luttman, 917 Dorine Avenue, was recognized and
urged Council to keep bicycle lane designs in mind as
they consider the interchange design. He discussed his
ongoing interest in bicycle matters and outlined
problems with some bike lanes in the area.
2. John Maier, 510 16th Street, Fourth Floor, Oakland, Legal
Council for Graton Rancheria Tribe, was recognized and
expressed the Tribe's desire for the best plan possible.
He shared the Tribe's concerns that the project may be
under - designed, and he emphasized that the Tribe wants to
work together with the City and CalTrans. He also noted
that they brought their traffic engineer for the casino
project to speak to Council.
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3. Michael Mowery, 2000 Crow Canyon Place, Suite 400, San
Ramon, Kimberly Association, was recognized and discussed
several critical issues, particularly Roberts Lake Road.
He reviewed the benefits of redesigning the intersections.
Mr. Mowery responded to Council questions /comments about
the primary entrance to the casino, Golf Course Drive and
the timing of the EIR as well as the ability to do a
supplemental EIR.
4. John Rodigou, 5234 Daniel Court, was recognized and
expressed his belief that the current plan is not
feasible at all. He suggested a separate road in the
area of East Cotati and Sebastopol, and he questioned
whether a traffic study had been done.
5. Linda Long, Rohnert Park, was recognized and expressed
concern with the current plans. She shared some ideas
for the supplemental EIR.
c. Council Discussion /Direction: A MOTION was made by
Councilmember Flores, seconded by Mayor Mackenzie, to
approve CalTrans' Preferred Alternative Redesign Plan.
Under discussion, Mayor Mackenzie discussed how this
interchange design is part of the Highway 101 widening
project. Councilmember Flores reiterated the
project's connection to the widening of Highway 101.
Vice Mayor Vidak- Martinez discussed the cost and the
length of time it has taken for this project to come
forward. Councilmember Smith shared ideas for
Commerce Boulevard, including the possibility of
having two lanes going east and one going west.
Councilmember Spradlin discussed this project as it
relates to the casino's projections. Said motion was
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
5. LIST OF PROJECTS TO BE ADDRESSED IN 2005 AND 2006 AND
STAFF COMMITMENT TO SERVICE:
a. Staff Report: City Manager Leivo shared the contents
of the Staff Report.
b. Public Comments: None.
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c. Council Discussion /Direction: Council CONCURRED with
the internal use of the symbol formulated by staff.
Per the 2005 -2006 List of Project, Vice Mayor
Vidak - Martinez RECOMMENDED that Council revisit its
mission, and she commented on the Tiger Salamander
issue, landfill use and playground equipment
replacement. Mayor Mackenzie RECOMMENDED updated
progress reports on these project, and he commented on
the Codding Enterprises project and L & C Section
neighborhood plans. Councilmember Smith SUGGESTED a
work session with the Planning Commission per the
projects list, and he commented on green standards,
information systems, Specific Plan areas, hybrid
vehicles and energy alternatives. Councilmember
Spradlin discussed the plans for City Hall.
6. HIRING PROCESS FOR PERMANENT CITY ATTORNEY:
a. Staff Report: Council referred to the Staff Report
submitted by City Manager Leivo.
b. Public Comments: None.
c. Council Discussion /Direction: Councilmembers
expressed their support in recommending that
Interim City Attorney Kenyon serve as City
Attorney. Mayor Mackenzie related his past
discussions with former City Attorney Strauss, and he
inquired which'Councilmembers might be interested in
serving on an Ad Hoc Committee to hire a permanent
City Attorney.
Upon MOTION by Vice Mayor Vidak- Martinez, seconded
by Councilmember Flores, a motion was made to create
an Ad Hoc Negotiating Committee for a City Attorney
contract. Under discussion, Mayor Mackenzie expressed
a desire that staff handle this matter with due care
and attention. Vice Mayor Vidak- Martinez expressed
appreciation for the Staff Report. Said motion was
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
Upon MOTION by Mayor Mackenzie, seconded by
Councilmember Flores, a motion was made to appoint
Mayor Mackenzie. and Councilmember Flores to the Ad Hoc
Negotiating Committee for a City Attorney Contract to
be ready for Council review in April. Said motion was
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. Mayor Mackenzie noted that he
will keep Council apprised of the committee's progress
and that he will notify Interim City Attorney Kenyon
tomorrow morning of Council's actions this evening.
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January 19, 2005 Page(7 )
7. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Mayor Mackenzie asked if there were any questions about the
matters on the Consent Calendar, which were explained in
the City Manager's Council Meeting Memo. Councilmember
Smith referred to the draft letter prepared for Item B and
discussion of the Final WSA, both of which mention concerns
pertaining to nitrates in the water at Canon Manor. City
Engineer Jenkins confirmed that the draft letter deals with
those concerns.
A. RESOLUTIONS FOR ADOPTION:
2005 -23 SUPPORTING COTATI- ROHNERT PARK UNIFIED SCHOOL
DISTRICT'S MEASURE "A"
B. APPROVAL FOR THE MAYOR TO SEND A LETTER OF SUPPORT TO THE
SONOMA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS REQUIRING MANDATORY
SEWER CONNECTIONS (RE CANON MANOR FINAL EIR)
Upon MOTION by Councilmember Flores, seconded by Vice Mayor
Vidak- Martinez, a motion to approve the Consent Calendar, as
outlined in the meeting's agenda and including the
DIRECTIONS FOR STAFF to amend the letter in Item B, was
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.
8. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Members of the public desiring to speak were invited to
come forward. No members of the public responded.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Mayor Mackenzie ADJOURNED
the Special Meeting at approximately 9:47 p.m.
4-f �
Katy Leonard
Certified Shorthand Reporter
CSR No. 11599
G�4 !
Jak Mackenzie
Mayor
City of Rohnert Park
*City Council Special Meeting