City Council Special and Regular Meetings, April 24, 2001

Twin Pines Senior and Community Center, 1223 Ralston Avenue

SPECIAL MEETING: 5:30 P.M.

A. Conference with Labor Negotiator, City Manager Kersnar, pursuant to Government Code Section No. 54957.6

1. MMCEA

2. AFSCME

3. BPOA

Attended by Councilmembers Cook, Warden, Wright, Rianda, Hahn, City Manager Kersnar, Human Resources Director Dolan, City Attorney Savaree, Ms. Finney, Industrial Employers and Distributors Association (IEDA)Representative

Adjournment at this time, being 7:00 P.M. this Closed Session was adjourned.

(This meeting was conducted at this time and moved from the end of the meeting)

A. Conference with Legal Counsel, Anticipated Litigation, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9c

l Case

Attended by Councilmembers Cook, Warden, Wright, Rianda, Hahn, City Manager Kersnar, Community Development Director Ewing, and City Attorney Savaree. City Clerk Kern was excused from these closed sessions.

Adjournment at this tim, being 7:15 P.M. this Closed Session was adjourned.

Kathy Kern

Belmont City Clerk

ROLL CALL

COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Cook, Warden,Wright, Rianda, Hahn

COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None

Staff Present: City Manager Kersnar, City Attorney Savaree, Public Works Director Curtis, Community Development Director Ewing, Finance Director Fil, Police Chief Janke, Parks and Recreation Director Mittelstadt, City Clerk Kern, Human Resources Director Dolan.

Mayor Hahn reported that direction was given, but no action taken for either Closed Session.

Pledge of Allegiance was led by Council

Mayor Hahn presented a Proclamation to the McHughs for helping to capture a kidnapper and save a small child, on Interstate 5.Mr. McHugh thanked everyone for recognizing them. He said that anyone, who was willing to get involved and pay attention, could effect some good.

Mrs. Barbagelata, 819 Holly Road, expressed concerns about the color of the grout on the Gateway walls, which she felt should be a lighter color. She read a letter (on file in Clerks’ office) from Mrs. Irmer, owner of the Village Center, requesting that the back of the wall, below the capstone, be finished off, so that the landscaping could be completed.

Mr. Eckert, 1814 Oak Knoll, expressed concerns about his neighbor’s illegal deck, which had not been torn down, as directed by Council over a year ago. He noted that the neighbors were now in the process of having a new application heard by the Planning Commission, and he wanted to know how this could have been allowed.

Community Development Director Ewing reported that this deck project showed a significant reduction in the size, which constituted a new project. He said he and City Attorney Savaree would have to work on a timetable for removal of this structure, if the Planning Commission denied it.

City Attorney Savaree stated that a general Code Enforcement policy discussion could be agendized for a future agenda. She said Council could determine how aggressively they would like the Code Enforcement Officer and legal staff to be when people come through the process, get a project denied, and try and get a new project approved.

City Attorney Savaree explained that this project had a permit for the existing deck, which has been determined to be too large.

City Manager Kersnar stated that staff would report back to Council on both of these issues.

C. Warden showed everyone the hydrant paint kit he had received, so that he could refurbish the historic hydrant on his street. He explained that applications could be picked up at several locations and would be a fun project for everyone during this 75^th Anniversary year. He suggested that residents call Ms. Ball-Curran at 591-9093 for more detailed information.

C. Cook reported that she had attended the 32^nd annual Progress Seminar. She noted that C. Wright had been a moderator, and C. Rianda, a panelist, at a couple of the discussions.

Mayor Hahn noted that the two Public Hearings would be heard in reverse order (5-A-B)

Approval of meeting minutes: Special Meeting March 19, 2001; Special and Regular Meetings of March 27, 2001.

Approval of Warrant List Dated: March 30, 2001 in total amount of $469,679.91 and dated

April 6, 2001 in total amount of $735,610.84 and dated April 13, 2001 in total amount of $183,601.29.

Written Communication 1). Rec. 4/16/01 Response of the ORA to the petition of PG&E for the modification of D.00-02-046; 2). Rec. 4/11/01 re. Application of Bhupinderpal Singh DBA Randhawa Airporter.

Motion to approve Claims Management Report.

Resolution No. 8969 approving a Professional Services Agreement with the County of San Mateo, County Manager's Office, Real Property Division, for Provision of Right-of-Way Acquisition Services for the Ralston/101 Direct Access Project, CCN 402, for an amount not to exceed $52,000.

Resolution No. 8970 authorizing the adoption of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program for federally funded roadway improvements for use on the U.S. Department of Transportation Funded Projects.

Resolution No. 8971 awarding bid to Casey Construction, in amount of $41,130.00, for CC 435, Arbor Avenue Sanitary Sewer Repair.

Resolution No. 8972 of Appreciation for Dick Gay, Parks and Recreation Commissioner.

Resolution No. 8973 of Appreciation for Esther Pava, Art Commissioner.

Resolution No. 8974 of Appreciation for Diane Keogh, Arts Commissioner.

Resolution No. 8975 approving purchase order with SAMCLAR for rental of office furniture Temporary City Hall. ($35,500).

ResolutionNo 8976 authorizing the City Manager and Chief of Police to apply for a COPS MORE 2001 Technology Grant of $10,837.80 to purchase Personal Digital Assistants (PDA’s) for all Police Department sworn personnel, and if awarded, to accept the grant and expend such funds.

Public Hearing to consider a Resolution approving the recommendation that the San Mateo County Flood Control District impose charges for funding the 2001/2002 Countywide National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Program. (3.44/perResident/ $1.72 misc.)

Public Works Director Curtis stated that this fee was imposed yearly on the tax rolls. He said this County fee would fund Belmont’s portion of the NPDES General Program.

Mayor Hahn opened the Public Hearing.

On motion by C. Cook, seconded by C. Warden, and approved unanimously, to close the Public Hearing.

Action: on motion by C. Warden, seconded by C. Rianda, and approved unanimously, by show of hands to adopt:

Resolution No. 8977 approving the recommendation that the San Mateo County Flood Control District impose charges for funding the 2001/2002 Countywide National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Program.

Public Works Director Curtis reported that there was a shortfall in this funding and based on population, Belmont’s share is approximately $21,215. This would mean an additional fee of $2.44 per residential parcel.

Mayor Hahn opened the Public Hearing.

On motion by C. Cook, seconded by C. Warden, and approve unanimously, to close the Public Hearing.

C. Rianda stated that this was not an automatic fee increase. She explained that the citizens would have a chance to vote and protest this increase. If the fee was not adopted, then this would return to the Council for further action to fund this shortfall.

Action: on motion by C. Wright, seconded C. Warden, and approved unanimously, by show of hands, to adopt:

 Resolution No. 8978 supporting the NPDES Stormwater Program Revised Scope of Work and Request for Inclusion in the Countywide Collection of Fees.

OLD BUSINESS

Consideration of a Resolution approving a Professional Services Agreement with Kimley and Horn to conduct the Ralston Avenue Origin and Destination Survey. (Amount ranging from $36,310 to $189,000.)

Assistant City Engineer Jones explained that this agreement included a contingency to repeat any three hour period of traffic counts in the event something would disrupt the collection of data and render it invalid.

Mr. Sowers, Kimley-Horn Associates, explained that they collected data on a typical day and had found this to be accurate. They collect the last 4 digits on the license plate, which reduced the error ratio, and targeted white cars because they were easily distinguishable. Mr. Sowers reported that voice recording provided a more accurate and quicker count for the data. He explained that video logging required more people and was costly.

In response to C. Warden, Mr. Sowers explained that they would use the Transportation Studies Methodology, which would provide statistical expansion of the data, and big picture information.

In response to C. Wright, Mr. Sowers explained that they had included a contingency in case there was a major incident that would invalidate the study period.

Mr. Sowers explained that they would be conducting this survey away from school breaks, holidays or summer vacations.

Mr. Sowers stated he could not quantify the degree of accuracy using one method of collecting data vs the other. He said he thought the video would provide information on the accuracy for the manual counting methodology, and allow adjustment of the other counts to correct for deviation.

Assistant City Engineer Jones explained that the City would be putting the loop counters out on Ralston a week or two before the test to provide accurate counts for a typical day. If the data shows more cars than normal, then the test would be redone.

Action: on motion by C. Warden, seconded by C.Rianda, and approved unanimously, by show of hand, to adopt:

Resolution No. 8979 – approving a Professional Services Agreement with Kimley and Horn to conduct the Ralston Avenue Origin and Destination Survey (one day, white car, video of the Ralston Avenue, weekday peak periods, in the amount of $50,200).

Update on the City Hall/Police Facility Retrofit Project, City Contract No. 415. Public Works Director Curtis stated that the plans had been delayed so the bid date may need to be moved up.

J. Hunter, EKONA Architects, stated that the plans for the Police holding cell had been sent to the Bureau of Corrections and the State Fire Marshal for approval. He reported that the review time was 30 days for these plans.

City Manager Kernsar reported that staff would return at the next meeting with a recommendation on whether to extend the bid date, or cancel it.

NEW BUSINESS

Consideration of a draft letter to the County of San Mateo regarding the proposed amendment to the San Carlos Airport Master Plan Project.

Principal Planner de Melo reported that he had drafted a letter for signature by the Mayor to the Board of Supervisors regarding the Council’s position on the San Carlos Airport Master Plan Update.

C.Rianda stated that she would like the letter to address the hazard of increased capacity for fuel storage at the airport.

C. Wright stated that none of these improvements would allow for larger planes to use this facility.

Mr. Deighan, 478 Barkentine Lane, Redwood City, requested that the Council prepare a Resolution to the Board of Supervisors requesting that they not pave the stopways at the end of the runways.

He noted that the stated airplane safety concern for emergency situations, was not a valid reason, because only three accidents had been reported. Mr. Deighan said he thought the reason they wanted these paved stopways was to allow larger planes to land at the airport. He said once this expansion was allowed, the Federal Administration Administration would control what type of planes would be allowed to land, and the County would lose control.

Mrs. Taner, 368 Treasurer Isle, expressed concern that the airport did not adhere to the current set of rules, and urged the Council to stand for the residents against the expansion.

Mrs. Farmer, 1510 Winding Way, expressed concern about the lack of safety exhibited by the pilots when taking off from San Carlos Airport. She illustrated the departure path with a map, which showed how the pilots took shortcuts and flew over Belmont neighborhoods. Mrs. Farmer stated that she had reported these transgressions to the tower, but doubted the sincerity of the airport to penalize these offending pilots.

Mr. Mogil, 888 Foster City Blvd, Foster City, stated that when the original plans were proposed, the three alternatives planned longer runways to land larger planes. He said he had information that indicated that the stopways did not need to be full strength. He said grass or pebbles would work just as well. Mr. Mogil said that our tax dollars could be spent for better reasons.

C. Hahn stated that she thought the letter that staff had prepared did address the Council’s concerns.

C. Cook stated that she would like language in the letter to state that there was no FAA mandate for the increased length of the runway for safety purposes. She said that it was her understanding that these gas tanks were replacement tanks. C. Cook said she had not had anyone over the last two years offer her any support for this expansion.

C.Warden offered testimony that indicated that the increase in tourism would increase operations at the airport to 60%. He said he would rather send a Resolution to the Board of Supervisors.

C. Rianda stated that she felt that a strong message should be sent to the Supervisors. She said she was uncomfortable with the statement that local control would be given to the Federal Government. She requested that the staff confirm that this statement was correct.

C. Wright explained that if the airport accepted a grant to construct the stopways they could not be used for anything else. He said it was not a correct statement that the FAA could or would take over the airport. He said he agreed with Mrs. Taner, that a small population of pilots had not worked to engender the trust of the neighbors. C. Wright stated that he would support a Resolution, even though he thought a lot of the information and testimony given was inaccurate.

City Manager Kersnar stated that he would have staff generate a draft Resolution stating their concern that the stopways not be constructed of asphalt. He said that staff would verify that the gas tanks were just replacement tanks, and whether or not the airplane accidents had been pilot error.

C. Warden stated that he was concerned about the direction the airport was going. He said that the facility was moving away from it original intention, and he would rather have it remain as it is today.

Community Development Director Ewing stated that this would provide a framework to address the Council concern about growth and expansion alternatives being considered.

At this time, being 9:15 P.M. C. Cook left the meeting.

At this time, being 9:20 P.M. C. Cook returned to the meeting.

BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE UPDATES, AND STAFF REPORTS

Review of Design Review Process.

Community Development Director Ewing reviewed the process for design review of a single family home. He explained the customer service reengineering process that was planned, to provide the one-stop customer counter service.

Council discussion ensued. Community Development Director Ewing agreed that a detailed hand out and consultation with the staff, at the beginning of the process, would help facilitate more complete applications being submitted for review.

MATTERS OF COUNCIL INTEREST/CLARIFICATION

CHahn explained that she would like Council to consider eliminating Section 4.7.3 of the Belmont Zoning Ordinance which would force land owners in HRO Zones to seek density transfers if they decided to build more than 1200 sq. ft. on their property.

Following discussion, Council concurred to have Community Development Director Ewing initiate this change and return to Council with an Ordinance amendment.

C. Warden expressed his concern about the ongoing unsafe conditions caused by this stop sign on the northwest corner near the cleaners. He said he would like the stop sign moved forward to the intersection to avoid confusion for drivers.

City Manager Kersnar stated that it sounded like a problematic intersection and he suggested that this concern be taken back to the Traffic Safety Committee for further study.

Staff stated that this whole intersection was being studied as part of the Safe Schools program.

ADJOURNMENT at this time, being 10:10 P.M., this meeting was adjourned.

Kathy Kern

Belmont City Clerk

Tape No. 493