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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 1978.02.01 A G E N D A STUDY MEETING February 1 , 1978 8 : 00 P . M . 1 . Fire Department Request for Amendment to the Uniform Mechanical Code - Gas Shut-Off Valves 2 . Sheraton Parking Variance Agreement 3 . Bellevue Islands Changes for Traffic Improvement 4 . Parking of Large Vehicles in Residential Areas Proposed Ordinance 5 . Petrini Improvements for Relief of Operational Conditions on Magnolia 6 . Criterium ( Bike Race Permission ) 7 . Scheduling for Blayney Report . i 8 . Reclamation Project Engineering and EIR 9 . Draft Environmental Management Plan I 10 . Wall Opening Agreement , 400 Primrose Road 11 . Edwards Road Improvement I 12 . Other 1 s J BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL `.. Study Meeting - February 1 , 1978 PRESENT: COUNCILMEN AMSTRUP, HARRISON , MANGINI and MARTIN STAFF: Schwalm, Coleman, Kirkup, Swan , Fricke Mayor Harrison convened the meeting at 8:05 before the arrival of Councilman Martin . He announced that Council would consider Agenda Item 6 first to accommodate Tom Simpson who was present. 1 . CRITERIUM (Bike Race Permission) Mr. Simpson reported that Sergeant O ' Brian approved the proposed route. It will be earier for the Police Department than in prior years because there are fewer streets to be blocked off. Also, his club has arranged a crew; to clean up . Hatch Lane has been included but will be used only for the best riders as it will " be a more difficult ( European type) course. In response to a question about merchant concerns , Mr. Simpson said there are few inhibitions ; restaurants usually do not open until after five, and liquor stores receive more business . The regular merchants have not made unfavorable comments . There was no Council objection . 2. FIRE DEPARTMENT - GAS SHUT-OFF VALVES Mayer Harrison referred to Chief Fricke ' s January 16th memorandum which he believes answers some of Council ' s concerns about the proposed ordinance. Chief Fricke explained that the proposed ordinance makes several technical changes in the code by adding the word "unit" after the word "building" and changing "valve" to the plural throughout the section. The effect is that gas shut-off valves must be in a public area to make the valves accessible so that runaway gas can be controlled. He said the proposed change had come from the Building Department for research by the Fire Department and submission to Council . There was discussion of the necessary plumbing additions and in- creased costs for individual meters . (Mr. Martin arrived at 8: 12 p.m. ) In answer to Council ' s questions , Mr. Kirkup stated that gas stoves , heaters , and furnaces have automatic shut-off valves , and that gas fireplaces are the only units which necessitate this revision . Councilman Martin pointed out the unlikelihood that an open gas fireplace would be left unattended , especially without an open flue. This situation is so improbable he stated there is insufficient reason to impose the increased construction costs . Mr. Kirkup pointed out that Planning Commission guidelines for condominium's rcqu're separate utility -hug-offs as a condition for a condominium permit. After Council discussion it vaas indicated the proposed ordinance would not be pursued. 3. SHERATON PARKING VARIANCE AGREEMENT In response to Mayor Harrison ' s p y question Mr. Coleman indicated the proposed easement area referred to in the agreement presented for Council Consideration as a strip of land commencing at the present entrance to the Sheratorn Hotel -1 - approximately 100 feet wide, and running to a point along the Bayside `. Park boundary. Councilman Martin asked who had decided the easement would be on the northeasterly side of the Sheraton. Mr. Coleman responded that Council and Planning Commission had. Reference was made to Council minutes which provided for an easement for sufficient land so City may relocate Airport Boulevard. Mayor Harrison stated he had always assumed it would be located to the east of the Hotel , and Mr. McMillan said his understanding was that the easement was to run between the Hotel and Bayside Park. Councilman Martin pointed out that though that may have been the assumptions of others he had always considered it would be west of the hotel . Mayor Harrison and Mr. Coleman felt Council had basically adopted the Planning Commission recommenda- tion. Councilman Mangini stated that his impression was always that the easement would run right along the Bayside Park trees . Councilman Crosby, referring to the map, stated that he did not see that there would be space to relocate Airport Boulevard on the west side of the Hotel . Councilman Amstrup asked the name of the other party to the agreement. Mr. Coleman replied that Mr. McMillan advised him it would be the San Francisco Airport Motel Company, a partnership. Mr. Coleman pointed out that a parking permit would be required. As an alternative 350 Airport Boulevard, which is the auto auction, could be used for parking. Councilman Amstrup questioned whether parking there could be in perpetuity as required by Council . If so, another bayfront parking space had been created forever. Councilman Martin pointed out that if additional rooms are put on the Sheraton there must be 100 parking spaces for 100 years . The only way to get irrevocable parking rights is to own land in fee. He said the Sheraton , if rooms are added,must either build a parking structure for 100 cars on land it owns in fee , or Council can require that it own in fee a piece of land on which 100 cars can be parked , and the deed must be tied to the Sheraton so it cannot be separated. Mr. Coleman commented that there are many ways of holding land . Mr. Martin stated that a lease would have to be infinite or another way of holding the land for as long as the Sheraton exists . Councilman Mangini emphasized that the Sheraton permit is exercisable only if there is provision for 100 parking spaces . Councilman Martin continued that provision for parking spaces cannot be on State leased land because that has a time limit, and said he wanted to know that the Sheraton owns the land, or he wants to see the agreement that gives the parking rights first. Mayor Harrison agreed that if there is not such an agreement the permit cannot be exercised . Mr. McMillan pointed out that three conditions must be met before a building permit can be obtained . He added that this agreement had been prepared so Council would know that the owner of the hotel would have an irrevocable right to park automobiles on Parcels 1 , 2 , or 3. He said the language of the City Council had been used in the agreement. Councilman Martin pointed out that staff would make the decision as to whether or not the conditions had been met, and he felt Council should pass on it. Mayor Harrison agreed that Council have the matter before it prior to issuance of.:a building permit. Councilman Martin asked why the time within which the City may relocate Airport Boulevard is limited to ten years . Mr. Coleman responded that he . felt that within ten years a determination would have been made on the dump and golf course. Mr. McMillan said he questioned why the easement should continue forever if Airport Boulevard is relocated elsewhere. Councilman -2- Martin commented that Airport Coulevard has been changed three times in the past fifteen years. He said he felt since the building is fixed he believes the City' s option to relocate Airport Boulevard should remain open because the situation might change within the next fifteen years . Mr. Keyston suggested that the easement be recorded , but Mr. McMillan pointed out that no one likes easements against his property. Mayor Harrison said he felt ten or fifteen years is long enough and that the easement should be surrendered upon reallignment of Airport Boulevard . Councilman Crosby disagreed and stated he felt the City is not benefiting. He said once the building is there he does not see that there is any difference where the easement is. Mr. Martin said that was so unless further-.concessions were going to be made to the hotel owner. Mr. McMillan suggested a compromise that if Airport Boulevard is realligned in five or ten years and the easement is superfluous , that it be terminated . Councilman Crosby agreed that if the City puts Airport Boule- vard through either side of the Sheraton property the easement will terminate. Councilman Amstrup said he objects to the provision that the City surrenders the $70,000 bond for signalization if it is not accomplished within five years. He said he did not recall such a provision. Mr. Coleman said he considered five years was a good period of time to tie up the money. Council - man Martin said he questioned being able to obtain a surety bond for that period of time. He woi!ld prefer to have 4'70,000 paid Lo the City whether we signalize or not. Mr. McMillan suggested that $70 ,000 cash be deposited with the City in an interest bearing account, with the developer to get interest, and the amount left on deposit for five years. Councilman Martin suggested the State might not proceed within five years , and he proposed that the City receive interest on the deposit because of the increased cost of signalization if there were a time delay. He added that after the first five years , the developer might receive interest for the next five years . Mr. McMillan pointed out that wasn 't in the agreement, but he proposed that the developer receive interest for five years , the City receive interest for the next five , and thereafter, if not used, the funds revert to the developer. Mr. Coleman pointed out that if the developer will ge tthe interest there is no need for the City to hold the money; we often take passbooks on other types of bonds . Councilman Crosby asked who will pay the difference in cost if signalization is not accomplished until the cost is more than $70,000. Councilman Martin replied that the City does . Mr. Kirkup stated that he has already applied to the State ,and agreements could be back to the City within several months . He added that the State is concerned that the signal clear the freeway on ramp. Mr. McMillan confirmed the proposal that the developer receive interest for the first five years , the City receive interest for the next five years , and thereafter the $70,000 would revert to the developer. Mr. Kirkup asked for Council direction on the location of the easement. Councilman Crosby said he does not believe it can be on the west side of the property. Councilman Martin explained that he had always considered the west side of the hotel because he did not want to adversely affect the park. He continued that he had not contemplated a full -fledged street, but merely one to take overflow traffic. Once the hotel building is completed , he felt it would not matter which side was affected by the easement. Both would involve `. approximately the same area. Mr. McMillan defined the proposal as a twenty- five foot floating easement for street purposes for ten years . Councilman Martin suggested twenty-five years . Mr. McMillan agreed and said he would prepare the agreement with those provisions and submit it to the developer for signature. -3- 4. BELLEVUE ISLAND CHANGES FOR TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT Mayor Harrison referred to the sketches of proposed changes in the traffic island a Bellevue and Primrose and asked whether the palm trees would be affected . Mr. Kirkup responded that the plan saves ali those trees , but some of the landscaping would be removed and one tree at the point of an island at California and Bellevue will be lost. He added that his de- partment has received federal funds,and the City' s 17% of cost will be a total of about $5 ,000 - $2,000 for the changes at Primrose and Bellevue and $3 ,000 for those at Lorton and California. The City' s share of the cost will come from 2105 Gas Tax Funds . He stated that the plans are not ideal solutions , but they are improvements . Councilman Mangini questioned the flow of traffic at Lorton and California Drive , and Councilman Crosby asked the affect of the change upon the service station. There were no objections to the proposed island changes . 5. PARKING OF LARGE VEHICLES IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS Mayor Harrison asked Mr. Coleman whether the proposed ordinance implemented all the suggestions of Council . Mr. Coleman replied that there will be one insertion to limit the provisions of the ordinance to vehicles over 4 ,000 pounds since there is no intention to go after small vehicles . Councilman Martin questioned the effect of the ordinance on owner-builders inasmuch as it reads "unless such vehicle is used by a licensed contractor. " Mr. Coleman responded that the principal problem is with an owner-builder. Mr. Martin suggested that an owner-builder with a valid permit should be excluded for \.. a period of two weeks or a month. Mr. Kirkup added that he might be limited to one vehicle. Mr. Coleman said he would revise the ordinance to provide for a single vehicle for an owner-builder for thirty days . Councilman Martin questioned the exclusion of private school and church buses . Councilman Mangini asked about buses used as residences . Councilman Martin mentioned a truck tractor parked once about every six weeks . Mr. Coleman explained that the ordinance would be enforced on a complaint basis . There was no further objection. Mayor Harrison directed Mr. Coleman to make the change relating to owner-builder. 6. PETRINI IMPROVEMENTS FOR RELIEF OF OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS ON MAGNOLIA Mr. Coleman informed Council that the proposed agreement had been executed by Petrini ' s and by the property owners and that they have agreed to construct the improvements on the drawings . Councilman Martin asked if asphalt edges could be used on the pad so that traffic will go over it smoothly. Mr. Kirkup said that could be done easily. There were no Council objections . 7 . SCHEDULING FOR BLAYNEY REPORT Mayor Harrison reviewed the Council calendar for the next few months . He questioned whether there should be a March study meeting on the 8th , or if it should be a combined meeting for study with the Planning Commission. It was decided to have a combined breakfast meeting with the Planning Commission �. on Saturday, March 18th . Mayor Harrison called to Council ' s attention that the urgency interim ordinance will expire on March 6th and that if cowicil wishes to consider extending it, -4- it will be necessary to do so at a noticed meeting . In answer to Councilman Amstrup' s question , Mr. Coleman said the urgency ordinance can be extended one more time for up to one year. Mr. Swan said the work time schedule would require about 90 days . Councilman Martin suggested 120 days with the under- standing that action may be taken faster. Mayor Harrison asked .that an ordinance for a 120-day extension be prepared for the February 21st meeting. Mr. Swan said a memorandum of alternatives will be calculated next week to assist Council in its selection from among four alternatives , or modifications of them. 8. RECLAMATION PROJECT EIR Mr. Kirkup reported that in accordance with Council direction his department had interviewed the firms who had submitted proposals for the reclamation project using criteria set up by the Environmental Protection Agency. A check list was prepared and is attached to his memorandum of January 24th. The first seven items are those required in EPA review; the other two are items his de- partment considers necessary. Based on the proposals and interviews , the first choice is Jenks & Harrison, with Resources Engineering & Managemcnt Cr H�rrisrn , Lee & Kong as a second choice. He asked for Council direction . Councilman Martin questioned the purpose and effect of item 6 of the check list, "Positive steps for minority participation . " He stated that on two previous occasions when Jenks & Harrison were awarded contracts with the City there were problems . In one instance some starters at the sewage plant were forgotten which resulted in expense to the CiLy. In another contract the cost of a right-of-way at the Airport was not included. He considers these two matters major mistakes . Mayor L Harrison suggested consideration of Resources Engineering & Management. Council- man Martin commented that, if Mr. Venucci of that firm, who has a good reputation , is the lead engineer, he would be confident in that choice. Mr. Kirkup said the State Water Quality engineers recommend that a separate firm prepare the environmental impact report. He recommends that Earth Metrics , who prepared the EIR for the solids management study, be engaged to prepare the EIR at a cost not to exceed $8,800. There were no objections . Mr. Kirkup said he would have contracts with Resources Engineering and Earth Metrics prepared , sent to the State for approval , and then present them to Council . 9. DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN Councilman Martin said he considered Mr. Schwalm' s memorandum of January 27th a good evaluation on the Environmental Management Plan. He reported that Redwood City, San Carlos and Belmont will take a stand against. the plan he is told. Brisbane, Portola Valley and Woodside will recommend that the land use portion be eliminated . He said he would like to have direction from Council to oppose parts of the plan that he believes there is a possibility of obtaining agreement on. He would like to oppose the land use portion and thinks the County generally will do so . He continued that he considered it would be poor Policy to adamantly oppose the entire plan because it would then be turned back to the state. The basic problem, he stated , was with the original -5- statute enacted for clean air and water; however it is not accomplishing what was intended because of bureaucratic interpretation . Councilman Martin recom- mended cooperating with ABAG in whatever is reasonable and attempting amendment of the act through Congressman Ryan. He asked for latitude to use his judgment at the assembly meeting . There was no Council objection. Councilman Amstrup agreed with Councilman Martin ' s analysis . He objected to day- time meetings called by ABAG staff and asked that a letter be written to ABAG requesting that future meetings be scheduled at night. 10. WALL OPENING AGREEMENT - 400 PRIMROSE ROAD Mr. Coleman explained that Mr. Blunk had designed a building for the owners of the property at 400 Primrose which extends to the property lines . An agreement is necessary because the City may wish to double-deck the parking area at some future date. In addition he did not want to guarantee access from the building directly to the parking lot. Councilmen Amstrup, Crosby and Martin were strongly opposed to the design not meeting present code requirements , particularly because of problems which might arise in the future were the City property to be developed. Mr. Coleman said he would advise Mr. Blunk of Council ' s disapproval . 11 . EDWARD ROAD IMPROVEMENT Council unanimously approved the proposed extension of Edwards Road as reported in Mr. Kirkup' s memorandum of January 27th. 12 . OTHER (a) It was announced that the County Charter Review Committee will meet Thursday, February 2nd, at 7 :00 p.m. in the basement conference room of the Hall of Justice in Redwood City to review the background information on Articles 4 and 5 regarding powers and duties of the county manager. (b) Mr. Delacassa ' s telephone call reporting concern about enforcement of the dog ordinance was reported . (d) Burlingame Plaza Entrance: Councilman Amstrup reported reading a news- paper article reporting Mr. Wagner' s and Mr. Hoffman ' s approval of plans for beautification of the Burlingame Plaza entrance to the City. Mr. Schwalm read the Beautification Commission minutes to explain the back- ground for the newspaper article. (e) Finance Director position : Councilman Amstrup stated that he believed emphasis should be given to the selection of excellent accounting background in the selection of a new finance director so the new accounting procedures set up by Mr. Millican will be continued effectively. If necessary, he stated , Mr. Schwalm could assume some of the administrative and budget duties . Mr. Schwalm pointed out that such a prospect is available in Bill Gochnauer. He reminded Council that Mr. Gochnauer had worked on the survey of the Finance Department. Mr. Schwalm reported that there were several other applicants , two of whom are available. It was suggested that Council speak with the other applicants before a decision is made. -6- Councilman Amstrup added that the situation is more urgent because of Mrs . �- Hillt announcement that she plans to retire at the end of March , though she plans to continue to serve as City Clerk. This , he said, emphasized the need for strong accounting background. Councilman Martin suggested that full attention be given to the selection of a finance director with the hope that Mrs . Hill might be prevailed upon to stay for sixty days longer. The meeting was adjourned to executive session at 10:45 p.m. A. Keating L -7-