1970/12/14 City Council MinutesROHNERT PARK CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
December 14, 1970
The Council of the City of Rohnert Park met this
date in adjourned regular session at 7:35 p.m.
in the City Offices, 435 Southwest Boulevard,
Rohnert Park with Mayor Smith presiding.
Call to Order Mayor Smith called the meeting of the adjourned
session to order at approximately 7:35 p.m.
Roll Call Present: (4) Councilmen Hopkins, Roberts,
Rogers, and Smith
Absent: (1) Councilman Buchanan
Staff Present: City Manager Callinan, Engineer
Hudis, and Bond Counsel Assaf
Resolution RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING STOP SIGN
No. 70 -152 (Southwest Blvd. at Burton Avenue)
City Manager Callinan summarized the resolution.
Upon motion of Councilman Hopkins, seconded by
Councilman Rogers, and unanimously approved, the
reading of Resolution No. 70 -152 was waived and
said resolution was adopted.
Project No., A staff report was given by City Manager Callinan
1969 -1, Snyder on Snyder Lane Project No. 1969 -1.
Lane
Mayor Smith declared the scheduled public hearings
open on Project No. 1969 -1, Snyder Lane.
Bond Counsel Assaf noted that notice of the public
hearing on Resolution No. 70 -146 was given by
publication in The Clarion and by mailing copies
of said resolution to the property owners. He
further noted that notice of the public hearing
on Resolution No. 70 -147 was given by publication
in The Clarion and an affidavit of publication
was on file in the office of the City Clerk..
City Manager Callinan read the following letters
received regarding Project No. 1969 -1:
1. Letter dated November 18, 1970 from Martin
Stone expressing opposition due to the
general economy.
2. Letter dated November 18, 1970 from Sonoma
Campus Company expressing opposition.
3. Letter dated December 11, 1970 from Robert
Asper supporting the project.
Page 2. December 14, 1970
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& Comstock, attorneys for the Forrest W.
Benson Trust, expressing opposition.
Engineer Milton Hudis explained the need to change
the boundaries of the assessment district to
include all of the Benson property because all
the property would benefit from the drainage
improvements.
Members of the Council had a discussion and
offerred comments concerning the project.
Mr. Harrison F. Comstock, attorney representin7_
the Benson Trust, was recognized and spoke in
opposition to the project advising that the Benson
property will derive no benefit from the improve-
ments, there is no interest in developing the
property at present, they are not interested in
borrowing money to pay the assessment in the hope
that the property will increase in value, and
suggested that perhaps the drainage could be
handled by ditches. He further advised that he
had not made an offer to turn over nine acres to
the city, as had been stated by Councilman Hopkins
earlier in the meeting, but sees it as the only
laternative if the present project should proceed.
He stated the Benson Trust had a very short cash
position and there was no way to pay the pro-
po s e d assessments.
Mr. Paul Golis was recognized and spoke in support
of the project, but suggested installation of
swales on the Benson property, such as those at
Sonoma State College, to provide drainage west
t'en nor - %_ _Land %_Je ..
Mr. Art Howard was recognized and advised that,
in his opinion, if the change to 1915 Act bonds
were not made the project would not have a chance.
Engineer Hudis explained that the changes and
Y'PrIll"+4nne in wn-nn Alin to annA
12% bond discount rather than the 20% anticipated,
and a lower contingency fund, and that perhaps
the resulting lower assessment might be accept-
able to the trustee for the Benson Trust.
Paul Golis spoke again and advised that the
assessment for the Benson property could be lowered
even further if his suggestions concerning drainage
were followed.
Art Howard advised he believed he could work with
his partners and Engineer Hudis toward reducing
Page 3. December 14, 1970
the amount of work to be done and thereby reducing
the assessment which would make the project more
acceptable.
Bond Counsel Assaf advised the Council that a
legal majority protest had not been made and
recommended the adoption of resolutions overruling
protests and abandoning the proceedings and start-
ing over with an entirely new project.
Engineer Hudis explained ditches could be used to
lower the cost of the project, but had originally
questioned the advisability of having a ditch
30 -35 feet wide alongside a road, particularly in
front of a school, however it could be landscaped
and made to look attractive. He advised the
drainage portion of the assessment on the Benson
property could be reduced substantially if
ditches were used.
Art Howard stated he wants the road and believes
something could be worked out, suggesting the
elimination of fire hydrants, curbs and gutters,
such as was done on East Cotati Avenue in order
to reduce the improvements cost.
There being no one further desiring to be heard,
Mayor Smith delcared the public hearing closed.
Resolution A RESOLUTION OVERRULING PROTESTS ON RESOLUTION OF
No. 70 -153 INTENTION NO. 69 -124 (Snyder Lane Street Improve-
ment Project No. 1964
Bond Counsel Assaf summarized the resolution.
Upon motion of Councilman Roberts, seconded by
Councilman Hopkins, and unanimously approved, the
reading of Resolution No. 70 -153 was waived and
said resolution adopted.
Resolution A RESOLUTION DETERMINING TO ABANDON IMPROVEMENT
No. 70 -154 PROJECT (Snyder Lane Street Improvement Project
No. 1969 -1)
Bond Counsel Assaf summarized the resolution.
Upon motion of Councilman Roberts, seconded by
Councilman Rogers, and unanimously approved,
the reading of Resolution No. 70 -154 was waived
and said resolution was adopted.
Bond Counsel Assaf recommended that Engineer
Hudis and the property owners meet and work out
an agreeable project.
Page 4.
December 14, 1970
Council Hopkins Councilman Hopkins left the Council chambers at
Leaves and Returns this point in the meeting, the time being approxi-
mately 9:55 p.m. He returned at approximately
9:57 p.m.
1915 Act Bonds Art Howard initiated a discussion regarding the
use of 1915 Act bonds if the Snyder Lane project
was nreAAntpa Again,
Bond Counsel Assaf advised that 1915 Act bonds
would usually have a lowadiscount rate.
Upon motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by
Councilman Roberts, and approved by the following
roll call vote, the Council expressed intent to
nr,�Jr ti use _LU_0 ti bonds if a new Snyder Lane project
was initiated:
AYES: .(3) Councilmen Roberts, Rogers, and
Smith
NOES: (1) Councilman Hopkins
ABSENT:: (1) Councilman Buchanan
Redwood Empire City Manager Callinan brought to the attention of
Disposal the Council a check in the amount of $60.00
received from Redwood Empire Disposal Corp.
representing the city's share of the proceeds
from recycling of newspapres deposited in the bin
behind the City Offices. Discussion followed.
Upon motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by
Councilman Roberts, and unanimously approved,
the $60.00 check from Redwood Empire Disposal
Corp. will be earmarked for use in the purchase
of the public address system for the Community
Center.
Freeway Overpass City Manager Callinan reported on the status
of the freeway overpass and solicited Council
authorization to pursue state funding of same.
Upon motion of Councilman Rogers, seconded by
Councilman Roberts, and unanimously approved,
staff was directed to pursue the funding for
the freeway overpass including another appearance
before the Highway Commission.
1915 Act Councilman Hopkins requested City Manager Callinan
Assessments to provide the Council with information on the
amounts of delinquent 1915 Act assessments at the
next Council meeting.
Adjournment There being no further business, the meeting was
adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
APPROVED:
Mayor