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1994/05/03 City Council MinutesRohnert Park City Council Minutes May 3, 1994 The Council of the City of Rohnert Park met this date in special session commencing at 6:00 p.m. in the Multi -Use Room, Rohnert Park Community Center, 5401 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park, with Mayor Reilly presiding. Interpreter Mayor Reilly announced that a Spanish language inter- preter was available. Speaker Cards Mayor Reilly stated that, to ensure accurate recording, "Speaker Cards" are provided at the entrance and persons speaking are requested to submit completed cards to the recording clerk. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Reilly called the special session to order at approximately 6:05 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: (4) Councilmembers Eck (6:07 p.m.), Spiro Hollingsworth, and Mayor Reilly Absent: (1) Councilmember Gallagher RENT APPEALS BOARD Unscheduled Public Appearances Eck Arrives Amendments to Ordinance 494 Staff present for all or part of the meeting: City Manager Netter, City Attorney Flitner, and Assistant City Manager Leivo. Mayor Reilly announced that two members of the Rent Appeals Board were present, Board Members Collins and Combs. Mayor Reilly stated that in compliance with State Law (The Brown Act), citizens wishing to make a comment may do so at this time. A member of the audience rose and stated that the Rancho Grande community is composed of the residents of the mobile home park. Councilmember Eck arrived at 6:07 p.m. Mayor Reilly reviewed proposed amendments to Ord. 494. Councilmember Eck reviewed the history of Ord. 494 and the reasons why the community should look at changes in the ordinance. Councilmember Spiro stated that the City Council members support Ord. 494 and the Council wants to do to best that can be done for everyone. Rohnert. Park City Council Minutes (2) May 3, 1994 Correspondence Mayor Reilly read into the record letters received from: Kenneth and Peggy McNeal, 56 Mulberry Court. Geneva Trent, 147 Walnut Circle (also signed by Thomas J. Code, Mrs. Berta A. Bennett and Jack Berkowitz) Lorna Blanc, Acting Chairperson, Five Parks Committee Lorna Blanc, President, Rancho Verde GSMOL Lorna Blanc, Acting Chairperson, Five Parks Committee Joel H. Heath, Cambridge Properties and Development (Valley Village) Memo From City Attorney Mayor Reilly called attention to a memo from City Attorney Flitner regarding a possible change in Ordinance 494 and the possible wording of a November Ballot measure. Councilmember Eck proposed two additions to Mr. Flitner's proposed ballot measure: requiring a 4 /5ths vote of the City Council to approve future amendments to Ordinance 494 and requiring that the City Council hold a special public hearing prior to considering amendments. Public Testimony Mayor Reilly requested comments from members of the public. William Wadel, 254 Circulo Tierra, stated that after five years, Ord. 494 needed to be amended. The question is how are we going to do it. Either the City Council should amend the ordinance or the individual amendments must be put on the ballot. If voters are faced with a complicated ballot measure, they may not care or understand and vote no. We should empower the City Council. Mrs. Berta A. Bennett, 26 Walnut Circle, stated complicated amendments will be hard to put on a ballot. Park owners need to have limits on the rents they charge new mobile home buyers. Park owners are refusing to let to people unless they sign a lease. Park owners are not allowing prospective residents 72 hours to review the lease agreement. Rents can be raised every year under the lease agreements. Coleman Persily, Regional Manager, GSMOL, endorsed the letter by Lorna Blank. The 4 /5ths vote would be more democratic. Marie Vinsick, 38 Estrella Dr., stated that the Rancho Feliz Residents' Association Board supported granting to the City Council power to amend Ord. 494. She stated that it is not easy to move a mobile home. She explained that the City should have vacancy control and she listed an example of why vacancy control is needed. She described terms in lease agreements offered by park Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (3) May 3, 1994 owners. She declared that mobile homes constitute affordable housing. She stated that we should put something on the ballot that will pass. She invited City officials to work with the Five Parks Committee Council for outreach to park residents. Cay Case Florez, 93 Walnut Circle, stated that she was not comfortable in having the City vote her fate. People will not understand a complicated initiative. The community will have to protect mobile home residents because some residents cannot pay extra rent. The City should pay more attention to the needs of residents rather than park owners. People are being forced into unreasonable leases. There have been no improvements in her park for fifteen years . Mayor Reilly Mayor Reilly stated that the ballot measure would have to be voted on by all the voters of the City. Park owners have legal rights that the City has to respect. Sam Wicklow, Rancho Grande, stated that his only concern is the 4 /5ths vote. The City Council has been sympathetic to mobile home residents. A majority vote of the Council would be appropriate. Two new Council members may not be sympathetic to mobile home residents and block favorable changes in Ord. 494., frustrating the majority. Mayor Reilly Mayor Reilly stated that a 4 /5ths vote could benefit mobile home residents or park owners. Councilmember Eck stated that the vote could be a two edged sword. Mayor Reilly asked for a show of hands regarding whether the Council should place the proposed measure, giving the City Council authority to amend Ord. 494, on the ballot. All those that raised their hands were in favor of placing the proposed measure on the ballot. David Rostov, 39 Walnut Circle, noted that everyone should read and understand a document before they sign it. Many made a mistake when they signed leases. We must do what we can to correct the mistake. Mobile home residents can control a vote. Beverly Ackerman stated that her mother lived at 42 Rancho Verde. She helps her mother make rent payments. Her mother is ill and cannot sell her mobile home. The park is requiring a signed lease. She asked what is happening at the state level. Marie Vinsick, 38 Estrella Dr., stated that Ord. 494 guarantees a return on the park owner's investment. There are no other areas where this happens. Who is going to protect the residents? Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (4) May 3, 1994 Mayor Reilly Mayor Reilly stated that he favors neither the residents or park owners. He will do what is fair and legal. What exists today is not working. Marie Vinsick Marie Vinsick stated that residents want to have security in their retirement years. We need to work with Ord. 494. In her park, residents paid more for natural gas than the amount billed to the park. There should be a refund. Tom Robertson, Rancho Grande, stated that this forum has decided to put the measure on the ballot. Then the residents can bring their concerns to the City Council. Mayor Reilly Mayor Reilly asked for a show of hands regarding the voting requirement. Roughly equal numbers of those present supported a 4 /5ths vote, supported a 3 /5ths vote, or were unsure. Councilmember Eck Councilmember Eck stated that putting the measure on the ballot appears to be something that the Council will undertake. The Council has until August to decide the final wording. Perhaps City Attorney Flitner could write a statement listing the pros and cons of the 4 /5ths vote versus the 3 /5th vote. It could be sent to mobile home residents. We could ask for a response by a specific date. Rancho Grande Resident A resident of Rancho Grande asked what will happen to residents that cannot pay rent increases. Residents have fixed incomes. Councilmember Spiro Councilmember Spiro asked if it would help if the City include examples on the statement. Members of the audience indicated their agreement. Cay Case ,Lopez stated that if there is doing to be a vote, the City should think about the local residents. Donald Mathew, Rancho Grande, asked if the lease agreements offered by park owners are legal. The City Attorney should take care of this. The City Attorney wrote Ord. 494 and received money for doing so. City Attorney Flitner Mr. Flitner stated that Ord. 494 was written by a group of citizens, not City staff. The City hired a firm to help prepare Rules and Regulations to implement Ord. 494. John Vernon, Rancho Grande, stated that the park owners should speak. Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (5) May 3, 1994 Close of Hearing There were no other speakers and Mayor Reilly closed the public hearing. Councilmembers Councilmember Eck stated that the direction is clear. Something needs to be done about Ord. 494. He appreciated the expressions of trust in the City Council. Councilmembers Spiro and Hollingsworth promised to work to help mobile home residents. Hillsboro v. City of Rohnert Park Mayor Reilly read a preliminary report from City Attorney Flitner indicating that Federal Judge Fern Smith indicated she would rule in favor of Hillsboro Properties (Rancho Grande). Adjournment There being no there being no Reilly adjourned 4'�"'miAJ A.'r, City a er /Clerk one further wanting to be heard and further business to conduct, Mayor the meeting at 7:25 p.m. �_� iii i �� WMA 4 "G" and "H" Section Neighborhoods PURPOSE: For Citizens To Be Heard WHEN: Thursday, April 28, 1994 WHERE: Gold Ridge Elementary School Multi -Use Room 1455 Golf Course Drive TIME: 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. TOPICS OF DISCUSSION INCLUDE: Public Safety Issues Community Interests & Concerns Topics of Your Choice Question and Answer Period Meet your City Council, City Manager and the New Director of Public Safety Patrick E. Rooney Any Questions ? ?? Please call the City Manager's Office at 795 -2411. ROHNERT PARK CITY COUNCIL TOWN HALL MEETING "G" & "H" SECTION NEIGHBORHOODS THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 1994 ATTENDEES ISSUESICONCERNS Walter Lynch Stop sign by Roger Wilco & 961 Hacienda Circle Hacienda. Close off to golf course. 584 -7026 TCBY. William Combs Drugs, gangs, graffiti. Call 586 -8974 1441 Goldway for free anti -drug videos. Harold McNaulty City should have a gender balance. 4514 Heath Circle Why do we need a Code of Ethics? 584 -1113 Scholarship from retail store complaint. Paul Stutrud Water quality problem - brown water. 712 Hudis Street Numerous houses have water damage 585 -2421 from faulty file installations and there is little or no insurance coverage. Bill Lorene City officials' salaries too high. 1512 Galaxy $80 -$90 more for fire calls. 584 -1495 Repeat offenders who are aliens and not turned over to the INS. Hertz Harrison Dog doo on sidewalks and paved 4413 Hamlet Court pathways. 584 -5855 Suggested semi-annual notice in newspaper stating the law & requesting dog walkers to scoop up after their dogs. ACTION TO BE TAKEN PAGE 2 Eli e N 00 1 . C� ICI Max Dubin Wildlife problem -ducks. People 4427 Hillview Way feed them. They are a traffice & health 584-7248 problem. Laurel McCarthy Stop sign at Golf Course & Grandview. 4315 Grove Court Large number of cars running stop sign in front of Gold Ridge. Could police issue citations? Pamela Grissom How can Public Safety take back "G" 1364 Gold Way Park? There is drug and gang activity 584 -5397 in Golis Park. Helen Dell Wanted more information on above 4464 Graywhaler Lane subject as granddaughter plays in this 585 -9313 park. If there is a problem, what are we doing about it.? Dave Mochel City employees salaries are too high. 4405 Hollingsworth What does City Council plan to do to 585 -0620 reduce salaries and benefits? Mike Ryan The police area t responding to gangs. 1377 Graymill Court The city is deteriorating from being a family city. There is a lack of response from Public Safety. The residents just get red tape from Public Safety. PAGE 3 ATTENDEES ISSUESICONCERNS Julie Parsons There are parked cars and boats on the 585 -3125 streets. There should be park police coverage to deal with gangs. There needs to be a strong police presence so we can feel safe walking in the park. Jake Mackenzie Tennis courts are being wrecked by 1536 Goldstone Way rollerbladers. Also need more police 584 -1195 presence to deal with parked cars at "G" Park. Betty Velandia 1564 Gretchen Court 584 -0108 Tim Smith 4467 Hollingsworth Circle 585 -9593 We need a private alternate school system for those who want smaller atmosphere & better grades. When growth allows for additional construction, we need homes/condos, apartments to be better built and better inspected. How would Public Safety handle a major evacuation for a massive fire? She wants to know about our Emergency Plan. Intersection of Snyder Lit. & Holly. What time is the cerfew? How does it affect Free Friday Night? The solution to traffic control on Country Club and Golf Course is not a traffic light. People will only speed up on the yellow. People are not observing the speed limit on Fairway. ACTION TO BE TAKEN PAGE 4 Barbara Mackenzie We need more police presence in 1536 Gladstone "G" Park. 584 -1195 Come to the Mothers Day event at the PAC & support the Symphony. Bonnie Usrey Gangs, the Wine Center & general 4500 Flores Avenue matters. 585 -8885 R.P. is a great place to live & she wants to devote her time and energy to keep it this way. Catherine ? Had a question about PSO Jones. 1514 Garfield Court 585 -2359 Ben Condor Cross walks, stop signs & parks. 4313 Grace Court We need more of a police presence. 584 -8667 Additional Comments: Remove phones from parks because gang members hang around them. City should do what it can regarding illegal aliens. R.P. salaries/benefits should be compared against State pay scale. Have smaller but more symphony performances. PAGE 5 ATTENDEES ISSUES /CONCERNS There were inquiries about whether or not Officer Larry Jones would still be working with the schools. There needs to be someone promoting the Wine Center. More symphony concerts for school kids. More security is needed at the PAC, Comm. Ctr. and Sports Ctr. complex. What's happening with joint use of library? Council Responses: Salaries have been frozen for 2 -3 yrs. Gang rate is down & we are addressing the problem. It's difficult to enforce the popper- scooper law. We could send out another notice w/ the utility bills. Might consider building a rollerblading court. We do have an Emergency Plan which is coordinated with other agencies. Well water does have particles in it. ACTION TO BE TAKEN PAGE 6 ATTENDEES ISSUES /CONCERNS ACTION TO BE TAKEN We do have programs trying to prevent gangs. We have the DARE Program and we are addressing graffiti & the curfew. The curfew is 11 p.m. The budget is being reviewed right now and residents should attend the meetings. Free Friday Nights are working, but we need more volunteers. We are working on the duck problem. Residents can call the So. Co. Health Dept. Staff will check the need for a stop sign at Hacienda & Golf Course. There are no women in top positions in City Government. We can look at gender balance issues in regards to City Dept. Heads. We will consider removing phones from parks. There was discussion of using telephones on a timer system, calling PacBell and/or using rotary phones. We are trying to purchase open space through the Open Space District. PAGE 7 ATTENDEES ISSUESICONCERNS ACTION TO BE TAKEN Reclaimed wastewater is under design. Project Graduation needs volunteers. Joint use of the library is just in the preliminary stages. We are working on the Code of Ethics.