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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 2016.01.19 Burlingame City Council January 19, 2016 Approved Minutes 1 BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL Approved Minutes Regular Meeting of January 19, 2016 1. CALL TO ORDER A duly noticed regular meeting of the Burlingame City Council was held on the above date in the City Hall Council Chambers. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG The pledge of allegiance was led by Ross Bruce. 3. ROLL CALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Beach, Brownrigg, Colson, Keighran, Ortiz MEMBERS ABSENT: None 4. REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION AND STUDY SESSION City Attorney Kane stated that during the closed session direction was given but no reportable action was taken. 5. UPCOMING EVENTS Mayor Keighran reviewed the upcoming events taking place in the City. 6. PRESENTATIONS a. UPDATE ON BROADWAY GRADE SEPARATION DPW Murtuza stated that the purpose of the presentation was to provide Council with an update on the Broadway Grade Separation. He stated that a year ago the City received a million dollar grant to conduct a feasibility study on grade separation. He explained that the purpose of the study was to identify the best approach and design for grade separation at Broadway so that when funding becomes available the City is able to move forward. DPW Murtuza introduced Etty Mercurio from AECOM. AECOM handled the feasibility study for the City. Ms. Mercurio stated that the purpose of the study was to find the best way to: (1) improve traffic circulation/mobility; (2) increase public safety; and (3) offer an opportunity for a Gateway treatment to Burlingame City Council January 19, 2016 Approved Minutes 2 Broadway. She explained that in undertaking this project AECOM held two community meetings to inform the public of the project and gather their feedback. In reviewing the project area, Ms Mercurio stated that the main constraints were the Millbrae and Burlingame train stations, Highway 101 and the Downtown Broadway Commercial District. Their next step was to identify existing traffic delays in this area and project what those delays would be in 2040 with and without grade separation. She stated that in 2040 if grade separation was not undertaken the AM and PM rush hour delays increased at the Broadway/US 101 Off-Ramp/Rollins Road (AM: from 65 seconds to 249 seconds PM: 243 seconds to 744 seconds). Whereas, if grade separation was undertaken the AM and PM rush hour delays decreased at the Broadway/US 101 Off-Ramp/Rollins Road (AM: from 65 seconds to 37 seconds PM: 243 seconds to 48 seconds). Moreover, Ms. Mercurio stated that the grade separation would create fuel savings and air quality benefits including a reduction of 395,000 ga/yr of idling fuel use and $805,000 a year cost savings for drivers. As well, she outlined the safety benefits, stating that while the Broadway intersections average 23 accidents a year with grade separation it would be 7. Ms. Mercurio explained that after researching and studying proposed grade separations, AECOM came up with 6 options. Alternative F involved raising the tracks completely above the roadway for almost 2 miles with a maximum fill height of 29 feet. However, under Alternative F there would be significant visual impacts and a ripple-effect on the railroad likely to cause impact to Millbrae Station and Bart operations. Alternative F is estimated to cost $510 million. Alternative E involves depressing the tracks below the roadway for over 2 miles. However, under Alternative E there would be major flooding issues, tree removal and extremely high long-term maintenance costs. Alternative E is estimated to cost $705 million. Alternative D looked at leaving the tracks as is and raising the roadway up and over the tracks completely with a maximum fill height of 32 feet. However, Alternative D involves significant property takes and a large scale profile modification to Broadway, California, Carolan and Rollins Road. Alternative D is estimated to cost $275 million. Alternative C looked at moving the roadway below the tracks with maximum excavation depth of 28 feet. However, Alternative C involves significant profile modifications to Broadway, California, Carolan and Rollins Road, property taking, and elimination of the Broadway Station Parking. Alternative C is estimated to cost $240 million. Accordingly, because of the major constraints of Alternatives F-C, Ms. Mercurio stated that the focus of AECOM became Alternatives B and A. Alternative B is a hybrid where the tracks are partially depressed and the roadway is raised partially. It reduces the limits of the excavation which decreases the impacts to the railroad and minimizes visual impacts. However, Alternative B will have impacts to existing utilities and infrastructure and because of high groundwater will require cutoff wall construction along the railroad corridor. Alternative B is estimated to cost $360 million. Alternative A is a hybrid that involves partially raising the tracks and partially lowering the roadway. It has little to no impact on the Millbrae Station and Bart operations and reduced visual impact. However, like Alternative B, this alternative involves high groundwater thus requiring a cutoff wall and will have an impact to existing utilities and infrastructure. Alternative A is estimated to cost $235 million. A 3D animation of Alternative A was presented that will be available on www.burlingame.org. Councilmember Brownrigg thanked Ms. Mercurio for her presentation. He asked if the tracks could be brought down faster in Alternative A. Ms. Mercurio stated that there were some refinements they could do but they had to consider track speeds, potential electrification and high speed rail. Burlingame City Council January 19, 2016 Approved Minutes 3 Mayor Keighran asked if under Alternative A the tracks were approximately 13 feet higher than they are now. Ms. Mercurio replied in the affirmative. Mayor Keighran asked that a 3D animation of Alternative B be presented to the Council. Councilmember Brownrigg asked DPW Murtuza what the time table was for making a decision. DPW Murtuza stated that staff would be conducting another community meeting in March, and then in April staff would present their findings to Council. Burlingame resident Irvin Dawid explained that he attended the community meetings and voiced concern about the widening of California Drive. Former Mayor Rosalie O’Mahony expressed her gratitude that the Broadway Grade Separation project was moving forward. Burlingame resident Ross Bruce stated that Alternative A was an elegant solution that would preserve the feel of the city. Burlingame resident Jeff Londer raised concerns about the design of Alternative A. Councilmember Colson asked why only the Broadway intersection was used during the traffic analysis. DPW Murtuza explained that this is the primary entrance into Burlingame and gives citizens access to Highway 101. b. PRESENTATION ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS Jai Agaram, President of Digital Energy, Inc. gave a presentation entitled “Energy Efficiency Study Update City of Burlingame.” He explained that over the last 5-6 years the City dropped its consumption of energy. He reviewed the steps the City undertook to improve its energy efficiency including conversion of City street lights and traffic signal lights to LED and the conversion of T12 lamps to T8 lamps. These improvements resulted in Burlingame winning the Gold Level Beacon Spotlight Award for Energy Savings. Mr. Agaram explained that his staff looked at 11 building facilities and 10 public parking lots to see what else the City could do to reduce their energy consumption. His staff reviewed the facilities’ electricity and gas use and cost. They found that 51% of the electricity used is for lighting and that 91% of the natural gas use was for space heating. Mr. Agaram stated that he recommended re-lamping (32 watt to 28 watt), LED retrofitting, and controls for occupancy sensors. He stated that these recommended improvements would cost the City $570,184 with a payback in annual energy savings in 8.4 years. As well, he discussed the possibility of solar panels. He explained that the buildings solar panels may work on are: Police Station, Public Works Corp. Yard, Fire Station #35, Fire Station #26, Village Park Preschool and Easton Library. However, he stated that there are many challenges to fitting these buildings for solar panels including: (1) older buildings and mechanical systems require extensive renovation; (2) solar installation on roofs may be restricted due to structural limits on older facilities; and (3) location of adjacent trees and buildings. Burlingame City Council January 19, 2016 Approved Minutes 4 Councilmember Brownrigg stated that if the City wanted to undertake solar panels it would be better for them to contact a third party for financing. As well, he was concerned about the small amount of choices the presentation laid out. DPW Murtuza stated that the purpose of this study was to look for small projects that may make a difference in improving energy efficiency in city facilities. 7. PUBLIC COMMENTS Burlingame resident Joe Sacco asked Council for their help in ensuring a flag was up at Capuchino Station. Burlingame resident Dennis Xifaras spoke about his concern over water and sewer billing. Burlingame resident Nirmala Bandrapalli, VP of Lions Club, invited the community to attend their lunch meetings on Thursdays at noon. Burlingame resident Mary Murphy spoke about a letter she wrote to CDD Meeker on the development of a park on Bayside and wanted to know when it would be placed on Agenda. CM Goldman let her know that they hoped to have it on the Agenda in February. 8. CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Keighran asked the Councilmembers and the public if they wished to remove any items from the Consent Calendar. No items were removed. Vice Mayor Ortiz made a motion to adopt the Consent Calendar; seconded by Councilmember Beach. The motion was approved unanimously by voice vote, 5-0. a. APPROVE THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 4, 2016 CC Hassel-Shearer requested Council approve the City Council meeting minutes of January 4, 2016. b. APPROVE THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 6, 2016 CC Hassel-Shearer requested Council approve the City Council Meeting Minutes of January 6, 2016. 9. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BURLINGAME APPROVING THE ISSUANCE BY THE BURLINGAME FINANCING AUTHORITY OF NOT TO EXCEED $11,000,000 AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF STORM DRAINAGE REVENUE BONDS TO FINANCE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM OF THE CITY; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF AN INSTALLMENT SALE AGREEMENT AND A BOND PURCHASE AGREEMENT; APPROVING FORM OF OFFICIAL STATEMENT; AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS AND THE TAKING OF ALL NECESSARY ACTIONS RELATING TO THE FINANCING WITH THE BURLINGAME FINANCING AUTHORITY Burlingame City Council January 19, 2016 Approved Minutes 5 Fin Augustine presented her staff report asking the Council to approve a third issuance of storm drainage bonds. She reviewed the history of the storm drain bonds stating that in 2009 voters approved a storm drainage fee for much needed infrastructure improvements. Upon approval, the Council authorized the first issuance of storm drainage revenue bonds in 2010 for $9.8 million and in 2012 authorized the second issuance for $10.6 million. Now, she is asking the Council to authorize a third issuance not to exceed $11 million. She explained that after the third issuance was spoken for, the City would determine if a fourth and final issuance was necessary or if the City could undertake a pay as you go model. Fin Augustine explained that if Council approved the third issuance the next steps would be a credit presentation to SMP, bond pricing and then bond sale by the end of February. Councilmember Brownrigg asked DPW Murtuza if the City should reconsider how it spends the storm drainage bond because of the tighter standards it is predicted the state will require. DPW Murtuza explained that when the storm drain bond passed there were specific goals in mind for why the bond was necessary and how it would be used. The primary use of the bond was to relieve flooding in the Burlingame area. However, DPW Murtuza explained that the state’s recent mandates are focused on water quality and trash issues. Furthermore, he added that once the state’s mandates were finalized, he would present a staff report to Council outlining the mandates’ requirements and costs. Councilmember Brownrigg asked Fin Augustine about issuing the bonds, stating that while the City issues the bonds in series, that the rate that the City charges the parcel owner was set in 2010. Therefore he asked what happened to the surplus capital that is generated by the City’s rates in the early years. Fin Augustine stated that if after the third issuance the City has a sufficient surplus the City can move from issuing bonds to undertaking a pay as you go model. She stated that the surplus was at about $2.7 million. Vice Mayor Ortiz asked if the storm drain fees would increase. Fin Augustine stated that they could increase by up to 2% annually. Mayor Keighran opened the public hearing. No one spoke. She closed the public hearing. Councilmember Brownrigg made a motion to approve Resolution 5-2016; seconded by Vice Mayor Ortiz. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote, 5-0. 10. STAFF REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS a. UPDATE ON PROPOSED FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP Public Works Senior Engineer Martin Quan explained to Council FEMA’s proposed update to the Flood Insurance Rate Map (“FIRM”). He stated that since 1981 the City of Burlingame has participated in national flood insurance. Martin Quan explained that the updated FIRM was based on FEMA’s research on coastal flooding from king tides, extreme high tide, wind wave events and El Nino winter storms. After FEMA provided their proposed map to the City in 2014, the City hired experts to review the map who found it to be reasonable. FEMA’s proposed FIRM includes an additional 358 parcels. The majority of the commercial properties affected are located in the north east part of Burlingame between the northern City limits, Rollins Road, and Burlingame City Council January 19, 2016 Approved Minutes 6 the Bayfront Area. The affected residential properties are located adjacent to Victoria Park, bordering Rollins Road, Victoria Road, and the southern City limits. Martin Quan explained what the flood insurance coverage would be for the public. He stated that policy coverages would include both the building (at a range of $60,000 - $500,000) and personal content (at a range of $25,000 - $50,000) with deductibles ranging from $2,000 - $10,000. All property owners from commercial to residential can purchase standardized flood insurance policies from their local agent. He stated that for new property owners in the flood hazard zones, they will be able to obtain insurance rates at a lower preferred risk rate for a limited amount of time. Martin Quan stated that the next steps for the City would be to inform and educate the affected property owners of FEMA’s proposed FIRM. Accordingly, beginning in March, 2016, staff will conduct public outreach. The outreach efforts will consist of mailing information to affected property owners, conducting two separate neighborhood meetings and then sending another round of mailers. Councilmember Colson asked if individuals who do not have a federally backed mortgage are required to obtain flood insurance. And as a follow up she asked how those with federally backed mortgages would be made aware that they needed to obtain flood insurance. Martin Quan stated that individuals whose mortgage is not federally backed are exempt. And in answering her second question, he explained that staff would be reaching out to all affected property owners and that banks are required to reach out to those individuals with federally backed mortgages. Councilmember Beach highlighted the graduated program for insurance rates and asked staff to ensure that the public is given information about it. Councilmember Colson asked if sea level rising was incorporated into this map. Martin Quan stated that it wasn’t. Mayor Keighran asked if FEMA would be studying sea level rising in the near future. Martin Quan stated that he was unsure if FEMA had any plans to do so. Councilmember Brownrigg thanked Supervisor Pine’s office for the work they’d done with FEMA and flood rates. Mayor Keighran opened the item up to public comment. On behalf of Supervisor Pine, Michael Barber noted that the graduated rates are only open for a short amount of time. He stated that it was roughly 6 months to a year to get the better rate. Accordingly, he encouraged homeowners to move quickly. Mayor Keighran asked if the homeowner would be notified more than once about the preferred rates and the new flood zones. DPW Murtuza stated that they would have several meetings and that staff would be conducting outreach to those in the flood insurance map. Burlingame resident Sandy Comorato asked about reaching out to Samcar if there was a disclosure that realtors needed to do. Burlingame City Council January 19, 2016 Approved Minutes 7 b. ACCEPTANCE OF THE COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2015 Fin Augustine reviewed her staff report asking the Council to accept the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (“CAFR”) for the fiscal year 2014-15. She stated in reviewing the CAFR, the City’s financial standing remains relatively strong. She stated that the City’s total revenues increased $2.8 million over the prior year, and total expenses increased slightly over $2.1 million. However, she explained that new GASB standards were implemented last year relating to the recording and reporting of pension costs and liabilities resulted in the city’s prior year net position being reduced by approximately $75 million. The significant reduction in net position created a negative balance in the unrestricted net position of the City’s governmental activities. However, Fin Augustine stated that the new GASB reporting scheme was broadly anticipated, and that the change will not materially affect the credit ratings of impacted public agencies, as there has been no change in the already apparent realities of the marketplace. Fin Augustine acknowledged that it was a good year economically for the City with the general fund experiencing a surplus of $6.6 million. She stated that it is necessary for the City to keep a surplus in order to prepare for potentially poor economic times. Mayor Keighran thanked Fin Augustine for putting the report together. She asked if the new GASB standards affect the City’s credit rating. Fin Augustine stated that it does not. Councilmember Beach asked about the auditors and if it’s best practice to keep the same auditing firm. Fin Augustine stated that the best practices is to put out an RFP for a new contract every 3-5 years. Councilmember Brownrigg praised Public Works for water and sewer budgets being lowered. He asked that to the extent that the City summarizes their expenses, that fire be excluded. Fin Augustine stated that in most of the areas where public expenditures are shown public safety involves both police and fire expenditures. Mayor Keighran made a motion to accept the CAFR; seconded by Councilmember Colson. The motion was adopted unanimously by voice vote, 5-0. 11. COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND ACTIVITIES REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Council reported on various events and committee meetings they each attended on behalf of the City. 12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS No items were added. 13. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS a. DECEMBER PERMIT ACTIVITY 14. ADJOURNMENT TO BURLINGAME FINANCING AUTHORITY 1. CALL TO ORDER Burlingame City Council January 19, 2016 Approved Minutes 8 2. ROLL CALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Beach, Brownrigg, Colson, Keighran, Ortiz MEMBERS ABSENT: None 3. BOARD ACTION a. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF STORM DRAINAGE REVENUE BONDS TO FINANCE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE STORM DRAINAGE SYSTEM OF THE CITY; AUTHORIZING EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A TRUST AGREEMENT, INSTALLMENT SALE AGREEMENT, AND A BOND PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT; AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS AND THE TAKING OF ALL NECESSARY ACTIONS RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF THE BONDS Fin Augustine presented the staff report stating that it was the same staff report that had earlier been presented to the Council. She asked if they had any questions and asked for the Board to approve Resolution Number Fin 1-2016. Chair Keighran opened the item up for public comment no one spoke. Boardmember Brownrigg made a motion to adopt Resolution Number Fin 1-2016; seconded by Vice Chair Ortiz. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote, 5-0. 15. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Keighran adjourned the meeting at 9:02 p.m. in memory of Susan Hackett. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Meaghan Hassel-Shearer City Clerk