1989/03/28 City Council MinutesRohnert Park City Council Minutes
March 28, 1989
The Council of the City of Rohnert Park met this date in regular
session commencing at 7 :00 p.m. in the City offices, 6750 Commerce
Boulevard, Rohnert Park, with Mayor Cochran presiding. The open
regular session was preceded by a closed session which commenced
at 7 :00 p.m.
Call to Order Mayor Cochran called the regular session to order at approximately
7 :50 p.m. and advised that an adjourned regular session convened
at 4:00 p.m. today to view Sonoma County Transit Service's new
bus and to hold a work session to discuss cable television. He
also informed that a closed session commenced this evening at 7 :00
p.m. to discuss personnel and litigation matters.
Roll Call Present: (5) Council members Eck, Hollingsworth, Hopkins, Spiro,
and Cochran.
Absent: (0) None.
Staff present for all or part of the meeting: City Manager
Callinan, Planning Director Skanchy, City Attorney Flitner, and
Administrative Services Director Netter.
Approval of Minutes Upon motion of Councilman Hopkins, seconded by Council Member
Spiro, and unanimously approved, the minutes of the meeting of
March 14, 1989 were approved with the correction of transposed
figure on page 7 changed from $178,000 to $781,000 for current
reserve under the heading of Water and Sewer Service Rates.
Approval of Bills
Upon
motion
by Councilman Hopkins, seconded
by Councilman
Hollingsworth,
and unanimously approved, the bills
presented per
the.
attached
list in the amount of $1,211,604.53
were approved.
Non - agendaed
Mayor
Cochran
queried if any Council member had any
non- agendaed
Items
items
to add to
the agenda. No one responded.
Unscheduled Public
Mayor
Cochran
stated that in compliance with State
Law (The Brown
Appearances
Act),
anyone
in the audience who wished to make a
comment may do
so at
this time.
No one responded.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Cochran queried if anyone had any questions regarding the
matters on the consent calendar. No one responded.
Acknowledging the City Manager /Clerk's report on the posting of
the agenda.
Resolution No. A RESOLUTION ACCF.,PTiNG COMPLETIOpl AND nIRFCTING ENCTNEER TO FILE, A
89 -45 NOTICE OF CO`tPLFTION "WRTON AVFN!?F RFCRFATION CFNTF.R I'4PROVFMr'.TTS ,
PROjECT *TO. 1Q47 - 21
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes
(2) March 28, 1989
Resolution No. A RESOLUTION APPROVING AGREEMENT WITH OLD ADOBE DEVELOPMENT
89 -46 SERVICES, INC. (GADS) FOR PARK CLEANING SERVICES AT SUITRISE PARK
Approval of the Appointment of Judy Hauff as Deputy City Clerk.
Upon motion by Councilman Hopkins, seconded by Councilman
Hollingsworth, and unanimously approved, the Consent Calendar was
approved as outlined on the meeting's agenda.
Resolution No. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROHNERT PARK
89 -47 APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUNDS
AND DESIGNATING A LIAISON AGENT FOR THE "M" PARK — PHASE I PROJECT
City Manager Callinan explained Resolution No. 89 -47.
Upon motion by Councilman Hollingsworth, seconded by Councilman
Hopkins, and unanimously approved, Resolution No. 89 -47 was
adopted.
Rancho Cotate High City Manager Callinan explained Rancho Cotate High School PTSA's
PTSA's request for request for $250 contribution for Academic Achievement Award. A
$250 contribution letter was received and provided to Council from Ellie Roberts and
Cathy Moore of the Academic Award Committee of the Rancho Cotate
PTSA requesting a donation from the City of $250 for the Academic
Achievement Awards to be presented Thursday, May 18, 1989. City
Manager Callinan pointed out that the City contributed $250 last
year.
Upon. motion by Councilman. Hollingsworth, seconded by Councilman
Hopkins, and unanimously approved, Rancho Cotate High School
PTSA's request for a $250 contribution for Academic Achievement
Awards was approved.
Ambulance Service City Manager Callinan shared that Council had been provided with
the Santa Rosa Arne Democrat'- "Push to Eliminate
Ambulance Competition" of March 22, 1989, and was also provided
with the County staff report that was distributed at the Board of
Supervisor's last meeting of March 21, 1989. City Manager
Callinan gave an update on discussions with County staff and San
Francisco Ambulance Company stating that the Sonoma County ? Board
of Supervisors has moved with favor on the County staff report,
and in phone conversation today Kim Johansen of the San Francisco
Ambulance Company advised that in view of the situation, they will
withdraw their application and will await the County's call for
proposals for areas of exclusive operation..
Planning and Zoning: Planning Director Skanchy reviewed contents of memo and Planning
File No. 1308 Staff Report provided to Council regarding a public hearing held
at the Planning; Commission meeting of :March 9, 1939 to consider
the reneral Plan Amendment and Rezoning City property on Redwood
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes
(3) March 28, 1989
Drive being exchanged to Codding Enterprises for land located on
City Hall Drive and Rohnert Park Expressway. The total land
subject to the proposed rezoning and General Plan amendment
consists of three parcels totalling 70.14 acres that is presently
developed with the animal control facility, the old sewage
treatment plant, the Rohnert Park Municipal Baseball Stadium, and
Channel 22.
Instead of amending the General Plan and Rezoning the entire 70.17
acres owned by the City of Rohnert Park, the Planning Commission
recommended only the 4.19 acres being exchanged to Codding
Enterprises be redesignated from Utility to Regional Commercial on
the General Plan and be rezoned from "A" (Agricultural to CR /PD
(Regional Commercial /Planned Unit Development) district. The
Planning Commission feels before the land use on the rest of the
property is changed and rezoned, it should be considered when the
entire General Plan is revised.
Planning Director Skanchy shared with Council that Mr. Jeff
Fleisher challenged staff's recommendation because proper
environmental documents were not prepared, of which Planning
Director Skanchy confirmed any such project needs these proper
documents which will take 30 to 40 days to prepare and have
another public hearing on the matter.
Mayor Cochran opened the scheduled public hearing at approximately
7 :58 p.m. on the consideration of amending Rohnert Park General
Plan Land Use Element from Utilities to Industrial and
Distribution for three (3) parcels totaling 70.17 acres located on
west side of Redwood Drive, north of and contiguous to Hinebaugh
Creek, east of and contiguous to Labath Avenue and south of and
contiguous to J. Rogers Lane and the Press Democrat building.
City Manager Callinan suggested keeping the public hearing open
through the next item on the agenda, since the rezoning of subject
properties from A (Agricultural to ML /P1) Limited
Industrial /Planned Unit Development) district is contingent on
this first item. Council concurred. No one responded.
There being no one desiring to speak, Mayor Cochran closed the
public hearing at approximately 9:02 p.m. Discussion followed.
Upon motion by Councilman Hollingsworth, seconded by Councilman
Hopkins, and unanimously approved, Council referred this item back
to Planning Commission to enable completion and study of
additional required documentation and directed that it be brought
back to the Council when that has been accomplished.
Excellence Awards Planning Director Skanchy explained Planning Commission's
recommendation to establish an Excellence Awards Program for new
development as outlined in Planning Commission Resolution.
r)isctission followed.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes
(4) March 28, 1989
Upon motion by Council Member Spiro, seconded by Councilman Eck,
and unanimously approved, the Excellence Awards Program was
referred back to the Planning Commission for handling with the
Council's comment that the program can and should be implemented
by the Commission only without the need for a Citizen's Committee
or City Council involvement.
MultiVision Cable TV City Manager Callinan referred to last Council meeting of March
(Channel 42) 14, 1989, regarding MultiVision Cable TV's decision to delete KFCB
Channel 42 from channels offered. A large group of people
appeared at this last Council meeting concerning the removal of
this religious programming resulting in the City Council going on
record requesting that MultiVision Cable TV not remove Channel 42
until such time as the matter could be heard at the March 28, 1989
meeting. A letter requesting same was delivered to MultiVision
Cable TV. Fran Parkey, General Manager of Multivision Cable TV's
response letter dated March 17, 1989, was provided to the City
Council. City Manager Callinan said her letter explained why the
company felt the decision was in the best interest to all the
subscribers and why they are standing by their decision.
General discussion followed in which members of the Council
commented on portions of the letter confirming that they share the
frustrations felt by the people, but there's nothing more this
Council can do about the situation.
Mayor Cochran opened the floor for public comments to express
concerns regarding MultiVision Cable TV.
Dennis McCormack, 1431 Jasmine Circle, was recognized and shared
that he attends a Baptist Church in which he circulated. one of
the petitions that he would like to see MultiVision Cable TV
consider more seriously. He said he realized the City has only
limited power, but would like to see this Council do all that's
possible for the sake of the people who want this channel.
Chuck Berlin, 5432 Harigoid, was recognized and stated that he had
handed many letters from a wide variety of people and businesses
to MultiVision Cable TV Manager Fran Parkey, as well as phone
calls from these people, of which she would make no commitment.
When presented with the approximately 2,800 petition signatures,
she basically said they would take a look at it and consider
another survey. Mr. Berlin said this survey has been postponed
until the last week in May so apparently there's no chance of any
action to be taken until August 1st, 1989. He expressed concern
about the validity of their surveys saying that out of 130
subscribers at a recent meeting regarding this matter, only 1 was
surveyed. Mr. Berlin's final question was to ask Council -if
anything serious resulted from the meeting on alternatives earlier
this afternoon to which City Manager Callinan responded probably
not.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes
(5) March 28, 1989
There being no one further desiring to speak, Mayor Cochran closed
this portion of the meeting commenting that he would like to tell
the people that if this Council could do something, they would.
He stated that Congressman Doug Bosco is the person who can do
something since this is dealing with federal regulations which
have to be overruled and legislation is needed to do that, that
municipal governments can't do it though we are actively
participating in lobbying, working with the League of California
Cities, attending meetings, and held the special meeting today at
4 :00 p.m. on alternatives, and assured the people that this
Council joins in their frustration over the matter.
Sonoma County City Manager Callinan referred to the Sonoma County Transportation
Transportation Committee's proposed document regarding "Creation of the
Committee Authority stating that Council had been provided with this
document that creates a Sonoma County Transportation Authority in
the County of Sonoma. Presumably this Authority would be created
if a sales tax override is voted in to support transportation
improvements in the 101 corridor in Sonoma County.
Discussion followed. City Manager Callinan stated that City has
been requested to have staff representation at the meetings of the
Sonoma County Transportation Committee, but he did not feel it was
productive to send staff. Discussion followed during which Mayor
Cochran said he was not able to attend the last meeting but should
be able to attend other meetings since he was formally designated
earlier by this Council to represent the City of Rohnert Park.
Designating Architect City Manager Callinan reported on action taken to date to
Firm — Public Safety designate an architectural firm for the new Department of Public
Building Safety Main Station stating that a total of twenty —nine
architectural firms have been interviewed, a committee comprised
of City Engineer Brust, Planning Director Skanchy, and nivisiQn
Commander Dennis Amantite from the Department of Public Safety
interviewed twelve of them. They provided a recommendation listing
the firms. The three firms are as follows (in no priority order):
1) Silver & ?.iskind, 2) Lawry, Coker, Desilva, 3) Robinson, Mills
& Williams. On Tuesday, March 22, 1989, a Council committee of
Mavor Cochran and Councilman Hopkins, as well as City Manager
Callinan, interviewed these three architectural firms.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes
(6) March 28, 1989
Mayor Cochran reported that the above - mentioned Council committee,
i.e., he and Councilman Hopkins, after interviewing the three
architectural firms, recommends to City Council the firm of
Robinson, Mills & Williams, who designed downtown Oakland.
Upon motion by Mayor Cochran, seconded by Councilman Hopkins, and
unanimously approved, the recommendation to designate Robinson,
Mills & Williams as the architectural firm for the master planning
of the City Hall Drive property and for the design of the new
Department of Public Safety Main Station was approved.
Underground /Overhead
City Manager
Callinan
commented
regarding
the
Utilities on East
underground /overhead
utilities
on East Cotati
Avenue /Snyder
Lane
Cotati /Snyder Lane
intersection areas.
He advised
staff has been working on
this
with Pacific Gas &
Electric
Co., but have
not made expected
progress on it. He
requested
that this matter be deferred
and
placed on a future City
Council
agenda.
Parks and Recreation City Manager Callinan referred to the Parks and Recreation
Commission Commission's recommendation regarding the number of members
stating that Council had been provided with a copy of a
memorandum from Recreation Director Jim Pekkain in reference to
several items including the size of the Parks and Recreation
Commission. The Parks and Recreation Commission, on March 20,
19899 agreed to reduce through attrition the size of the
Commission from seven to five members.
Upon motion by Councilman Hopkins, seconded by Councilman
Hollingsworth, and unanimously approved, the Parks and Recreation
Commission will be reduced through attrition from seven to five
members.
City Attorney Flitner was requested to prepare an ordinance
amending the City Code to implement the change.
Communications Communications per the attached outline were brought to the
attention of the City Council. No action was taken unless
specifically noted in these minutes.
City Manager's Report City Manager Callinan shared comments regarding the cost of
Construction Cost construction index change for 1988 saying that normally the City
Index would adjust some of its fees for the cost of construction change,
however, since these costs went up less than 1 %, adjustment fn
fees is not recommended at this time.
Garbage Service Rate City Manager Callinan advised that staff is discussing a garbage
service rate adjustment and that discussions have been held with
the Garbage Company and that in years past the City Council has
appointed Council members to work with staff on the garbage rate
adjustments. Councilman Fck and Councilman Hollingsworth
volunteered to work with staff and he on the garbage rate
adi11gttmen1- rnmmittpP, `t°hP Council ronctarrpd.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes
(7) March 28, 1989
General Plan Review: City Manager Callinan shared that he would like to discuss with
Council some concerns he's been feeling regarding the General Plan
and what it means, pointing out that the last committee took great
pride in the 1973 General Plan, that ever since changes have been
made through an amendment to the plan. City Manager Callinan then
commented from a prepared chart on the wall showing nineteen areas
that were not anticipated and were developed through amendments.
Referring to Snyder Lane situation, City was able to work with
developers, as well as a lot of response with public input.
City Manager Callinan commented further that the City would be
better off taking care of what it has now in regard to the sewer
plan and just let people know the situation if they come in with a
good package, especially since the City has very little land left
to develop, some of which cannot be developed until 1992 or '93.
Therefore, City Manager Callinan recommended this Council slow
down even though he knows everyone is concerned about housing
development pointing out that everytime the City's been
challenged, at least three or four times, they have always been
sustained. He further stated that he didn't know what Council
thinks, but he thinks they'll have more acrimony getting everybody
riled up out there for no reason, that the best approach is to
talk about land use plan recommendations and recognize problems
such as water system, drainage, sewer, etc.
In view of these comments, City Manager Callinan stated that he
didn't think a General Plan Update Committee was needed at this
time, that such would just take a lot of Planning Director
Skanchy's time, so implored Council again to go slow especially
since nothing could be done until 1990's and all plans now would
be out the window then, besides the fact that the process as it is
now presents an ample opportunity for citizen's to be involved.
Councilman Eck asked City Attorney Flitner if there's anything
wrong with leaving the General Plan as it is.
City Attorney Flitner said that he did not disagree with City
Manager Callinan's objectives, that the Council should figure out
what their city's going to be like and at least have some sort of
general plan and, if changes are needed, explain the reasons why.
City Attorney Flitner mentioned that maybe the Council members
were right in their concerns to update in regard to the noise and
housing element, and also stated that the only thing that bother`s
him is that if someone does attack the plan, the longer you go
between plans the more vulnerable the city will be. He further
commented that if Council wants to go into a holding zone, they
should so specify, that the idea of the General Plan was to review
periodically and if changes were required then define the reasons.
City Attorney Flitner also stated that he thought the larger the
city gets, the less reluctant you are to change.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes
(8) March 28, 1989
Councilman Hopkins asked if the language can be updated leaving
the General Plan as it is, to which City Manager Callinan
responded saying certainly, giving Hewlett — Packard as an example
of a continually updating process. Council concurred.
Discussion followed in which Councilman Hollingsworth made the
suggestion that a letter from City Attorney Flitner addressing the
language changes that are necessary, City Manager Callinan stated
there may be a need for consultants to update some of the elements
of the General Plan, Councilman Eck mentioned that he would like
to see City Council hold some work shops and sessions to see long
range goals, and Council Member Spiro inquired about how to let
the committees know that the General Plan Update has been put on
hold.
Upon motion by Councilman Hollingsworth, seconded by Councilman
Eck, and unanimously approved, the request to 'City Attorney
Flitner to compose a letter regarding necessary changes with
recommendations on how this Council should handle them, and report
back to Council on various areas of the General Plan was approved.
Upon motion by Council Member Spiro, Jointly seconded by
Councilman Eck and Councilman Hollingsworth, and unanimously
approved, the Council directed that a letter be sent to members of
the General Plan Update Committee with explanation for putting the
Committee on hold was approved.
Wilfred Avenue City Manager Callinan reviewed Wilfred Avenue interchange
Interchange improvements stating the Council had been provided with copy of
Improvements letter from Mayor Cochran to the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission in 0akland.
Office Space City Manager Callinan shared in regard to additional office space
possibilities, that he has visited with the people in regard to
the building a couple of buildings down the block which staff has
had iindar , but no conclusion h, as been react. A
ueu
Corporation
•
Yard City Manager Callinan shared information regarding an open house
Open House at the Corporation Yard scheduled for Saturday, April 29th at
11:00 a.m. to show off the recently completed addition. Mayor
Cochran said he thought attendance could be better if it were held
on a week day evening rather than in the middle of the day on a
Saturday. Council directed that the open house be held on
Thursday, April 272 1989 at 5 :00 p.m.
City Attorney's City Attorney Flitner commented on Joseph F. Brazil, Jr.'s
Report: document of which a copy was provided to Council stating that this
Joseph F. Brazil, Jr. case started in the 19701s, has been going forward ever since, and
is now appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court without much exposure,
but he would follow through on it.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes
(9) March 28, 1989
Matters from Council: Councilman Eck gave a report on the last Sewer Advisory Committee
Sewer Advisory meeting stating that everything's in place to use treated effluent
Committee on the Rohnert Park golf courses and that this will reuse 1
million to 1 1/2 million gallons of water a day. Mayor Cochran
said he would like Councilman Eck to ask the question at the next
committee meeting regarding why doesn't the Sebastopol Municipal
and the Santa Rosa golf course also use this method.
Matching Funds Councilman Hopkins shared communications he's had with Senator
Quentin Kopp regarding matching funds that will soon be required
for cities and, though City Manager Callinan said that's basically
how Rohnert Park's been doing projects for many years, Councilman
Hopkins thought a more formal situation should be established to
specifically set aside funds since it's apparently going to be the
trend.
Proposed Hospital Councilman Hollingsworth stated that he and Council Member Spiro
met with Sheldon Lutz of Republic Health who is working full time
with doctors to put program together for the proposed hospital.
Council Member Spiro expressed concern on the real estate matter
and that the City would no longer have control of property if
actions go in the direction suggested, to which City Manager
Callinan said this would have to be structured to protect City's
interest. Councilman Hollingsworth expressed concern regarding
doctors lack of interest to identify with Rohnert Park.
Adjournment There being no further business,
meeting at approximately 9:07 p.m.
Agency meeting.
ne ty qftJy Jerk
Mayor Cochran adjourned the
to the Community Development
f
1�1
Mayor