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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 1991.01.07140 BURLINGAME, CALIFORNIA January 7, 199L CALL TO ORDER A duly noticed regular meeting of the Burlingame City Council washeld on the above date in the City HaIl Council Chambers. The meeting htas called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor cloria Barton. PLEDGE OF ALTEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Led by Planning Commissioner Jerry Dea1. ROLL CALL COUNCIL PRESENT:BARTON, HARRISON, OI MAHONY, PAGLIARO LEMBICOUNCIL ABSENT: council-man Pagliaro wondered what the neighbor adjacent to this proposed waII would think of it since there was no opposition from that neighbor. Mayor Barton asked if the neighbor wasnotified of the hearing; staff responded yes. Mayor Barton opened the public hearing. The applicant v\,as notpresent. There were no public cor nents and the hearing was closed. Councilwoman orMahony said she wouLd Like to see the trim reducedof at least seven feet. Councilman Pagliaro want this long waII next to his property butnot object. Councilman Harrison hated to losee fire walI vras important. Staff noted that removed if it was no longer needed, that is one reason why Sims appealed . Councilman Pagliaro moved to approve the variance by adoption of RESoLUTIoN 1-91 with five conditions in staff report, finding there are exceptional circumstances in that the applicant's wj-fe J-s handicapped and needs the covered area for protection, that the carport has already been buj-l-t and can be made fire safe. Seconded by Councilwoman O'Mahony. After further discussion, council added to condition five that the permit be reviewed in to allow cl-earance noted he vrould not Sims' neighbor didthe greenery but ththis is a code enfo recommended that th rcement issue; the Planning Commission had e carport be reviewed in five years and MINUTES Minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 4, 1990 were approvedafter adding a second and vote on the motion on page 6 regardingthe Duncan property, and the minutes of the Special Meeting of December 20, 1990 $rere approved, moved by Councilman Harrison. Seconded by Councilwoman orMahony, carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING - SECOND REVI EW OF APPEAL FOR SIDE YARD SETBACK VARIANCE AT 120 BANCROFT - RESOLUTION 1-9]. APPROVING SAME City Planner reviewed her memo of December 21 which recommended council hold a public hearing and take action. At the November 5, 1990 meeting, council denied without prejudice Robert Sims' reguest for a side yard setback for an open waI1 carport (one foot, ten inches requested where four feet is required). Councildirected Sims to meet with building and fire officials to discuss construction alternatives and to return to council with aproposal in January. The applicant met with city representatives and di-scussed alternatives to meet the UFC and UBC and retain thecarport. The applicant has submitted plans showing a one hourfire rated wa11 with finished surface one foot from the sideproperty 1J-ne. The wall is achieved by placing cinder block foundation reinforced with rebar topped by wood studs clad with sheetrock and covered with waterproof pllnvood siding. Staff recommended five conditions for approval. L4L five years to determine if it is stiIl needed. The motion carried 4-0 on roll caII vote. PUBLIC HEARING - APPEAL FOR SIGN EXCEPTION AT DOUBLETREE HOTEL, 835 AIRPORT BOULEVARD City Planner reviewed her memo of october 29 which recommended councit hold a public hearing and take action. wade Mcclure, representing the Doubletree Hotel, is requesting a new sign program for the fbis Hotel site because of its purchase by Doubletree. They are proposing four signs on site to replace the Ibis signs on site. Sj.qn exceptions are required for the wall sign over 48 feet above grade, and exceeding primary frontage signage 232.5 square feet where 200 square feet is allowed, and on the secondary frontages where 75 square feet is allowed and 83.5 square is requested. Counci.l questioned why three foot high letters are allowed but Ibis put up five foot high letters. Mayor Barton opened the public hearing. wade Mcclure, applicant, said five foot, ten inch letters were approved for the Ibis Hotel on this frontagei he was proposing to replace that sign with letters only five feet high but because the name Doubletree is so much longer than Ibis, j-t uses more square feet; the other signs would be replacing three foot three inch Ibis letters with three foot letters; he showed photos ofaII the hotel signs in the city; all the parapet signs are larger than three feet except the Hyatt which is right next to the freeway, therefore he contended that the Hyatt did not need as Iarge a sign; the Doubletree needs to be visible to clients. Councilman Pagtiaro asked if the letters are separate and how they are lighted. Mayor Barton wondered if Mcclure had shor^rn the photos to the Planing Commission; McClure had not. Jim Turner, ceneral Manager of the new Doubletree, said they have invested over $3 million in this hotel; they need to be able to compete with the other hotels and they are just asking for signs that have been granted to their competitors. Mayor Barton closed the public hearing. Councilman Harrison inquired about the signs originally allowed bis; staff revj.ewed they vrere allowed on this frontage five , ten inch letters. Mayor Barton thought Mcclure had a point the Hyatt was right next to the freeway but Doubletree is her from the freeway. Councilwoman orMahony said this hotel ed help because of its location and proximity to the dump. cilman Harrison thought the smaller signs looked neater. Councilwoman o'Mahony moved to uphold the Planning commission approval with conditions and a change to condition three allowing Sign B to have five foot interior lit letters. Seconded by Councilman Harrison, carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING - RESOLUTION 2-91 - FIXING ASSESSMENTS FOR 1988-89 SIDEWALK REPAIRS - CP 825 B Public works Director reviewed the Public Works memo of December 18 which recommended council hold a public hearing and takeaction. fnvoices totaling $39,253 were sent to property ot nersfor sidewalk repairs in the area bounded by oak Grove, Edgehi11, California Drive and EI camino. The city Engineer, in accordancewith law, sent certified letters to owners or agents to repair the sidewalks; contracted for repair; and sent notice of this hearing to each owner or agent who had not paid their bill. To date, $32,676.94 has been collected. Mayor Barton opened the public hearing. There being no comments, the hearing was closed. toIfootthat f art need Coun 142 Councilman Harrison moved adoption of RESoLUTIoN 2-91. by Councilwoman o'Mahony, carried unanimously. Seconded PUBLIC HEARING - RESOLUTION 3-91 - FIXING ASSESSMENTS FOR 1989- 90 SIDEWALK REPAIRS - CP 916 A Public works Director reviewed the Public Works memo of January2, L99l which recommended council hold a public hearing and takeaction. Invoices totaling $53,760.74 were sent to property owners for sidewalk repairs. The City Engineer, in accordancewith Iaw, sent certified letters to owners or agents to repairthe sidewalksi contracted for repair; and sent notice of this hearing to each owner or agent hrho had not paid their biII. To date, $43,747.07 has been collected. Mayor Barton opened the public hearing. Mike Gaul, 1237 Laguna, protested his bill; he was not home when the certified letter was sent but received a notice, by the time he picked up the letter from the post office the sidewalk repairs had been donei he is a contractor and could have done the work himself; he objected to paying such high property taxes and then having to pay for sidewalks, he just bought his home a year ago and has very high taxes, both he and his wife must rrork to pay for the house; he has an easement in his front yard from the sidewalk to twelve feet into his yard and was told he would need an encroachment permit to put sprinklers in his lawn; he learnedshortly after this sidewalk work was done that the city would pay for all sidewalk repairs; he wondered why his area was done f j-rst and other areas of same L989-90 job have not been done and thecity will pay for those; he thought it suspicious that the area lvhere council members live was being done after the new law was adopted. Councilman Harrison explained that council reali-zed it would haveto draw the line somewhere when this 1aw was adopted to pay for sidewalks; the work was done last year and many people have already paid. when he proposed the Iaw he did not knovr vrhat areas would be worked on next. councilman Pagliaro asked when the letter was mailed to GauI and when GauI received it. Director responded the letter was dated February 16, 1990 and caul signed a receipt for the letter on March 21, 1990. Mayor Barton said she could make an exception inthis case. Director also explained that the sidewalk repair program is always split into several smaller projects; GauI's area was the first part of the l-989-90 program to be done. Donna caul wanted to notify her neighbors that council might make an exception. Mayor Barton explained that previous councils had always felt the sidewalks are the homeowners responsibility; Burlingame is the only city that now pays Iucky to have the money to do this but we somewhere. Donna GauI was concerned about already paid, she thought it not fair and her bill she thought aII the neighbors sho refunded. r sidewalks, it is ve to draw the lineer neighbors who have council dismissed d have their money fo ha hifuI Mayor Barton closed the public hearing. Councilman Pagliaro moved adoption of RESoLUTIoN 3-91 with the exception of the GauI property. He asked for a report at the next meeting on the GauI billing with pertinent dates of project; he also suggested the Gaul's be first on the agenda. Seconded by Councilman Harrison, carried unanimously. FINANCIAT STATEMENTS AI,ID MANAGEMENT LETTER FOR FY 1989-90 City Manager reviewed his memo of December 19 and the attached Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1990. on December 5 the Audit committee, composed of Council Members O'Mahony and Harrison, City Treasurer, Finance Director and City 143 Manager met with representatives of KPMG Peat Marwick to discuss the audit. He complimented the auditors and Finance staff. Councilman Pagliaro asked about certificates of deposit, and their locations. City Manager explained the city policy is to review deposits in savings and loan organizations, he said the monthly Treasurer's report which council receives shovrs where money is invested. Council complimented the Finance Department. PARKING ENFORCEMENT FOR JANUARY 21 HOTIDAY Police chief reviewed his memo council approve not enforcing January 2!, !99!, the Martin Lthat this holiday be added to holidays. " Council approved a prepared. f December 20 which recommendedrking requirements on Monday, her King Holiday. He suggestede list of "parkj-ng enforcement directed legislation be pa ut rh nd RESOLUTION 4-97 - APPROVING CONTRACT FOR CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR A COWENTION CENTER/EXH]BfT CENTER STUDY City Manager reviewed his memo of January 2, 1991 which recommended council approve an agreement with Coopers & Lybrand to study the feasibility of a convention/exhibit center in Burlingame, the contract cost not to exceed $84,800 plus $12,000in reimbursable expenses. In November the city received proposal from five consulting firms in response to a request for proposals for a convention center study. After review of these proposals by members of the convention center corunittee and staff, two firms were j-nvited for interviews. Based on the intervie!,rs, Coopers & Lybrand was selected. The estimated time frame cal-Is for eleven weeks from award of contract for study completion. No funds have been included in the 1990-91 budget for this study, he recommended that $96,800 be added to the community promotion budget from undesignated general fund balance and that these funds be appropriated for this study. Councilwoman otMahony moved adoption of RESoTUTION 4-91. Seconded by Councilman Pag1iaro, carried unanimously. BUfLDING DEPARTMENT STAFFING Publ-ic works Director reviewed his memo of December 27 which recommended council authorize a staff increase for a Plan Checker/Senior Building Inspector position and continue vrith the current in-house contract plan ehecker until goals are reached for the Building Department. In JuIy 1990 staff entered into an agreement with Willdan Associates for an on-site plan checker. With this plan checker currently working six hours per day, the Building Department had hoped to significantly decrease the plan check backlog. Some progress has been made, but with the current workload and State requirements, they need an additional plan checker. The goal of the Department is to reduce the first time through processing to a two to three week period from date of submittal for all but completely new structures and major developments. Estimated total budget increase would be $125,600with funds coming from unencumbered general funds. He noted that if backlog is eliminated the contract employee would be terminated. Council was supportive of this idea, they noted that one of most frequent complaints they get are delays in the Building Department. council approved of the concept of raising feesthis will assist in the added cost of more staff. Councilman Harrison moved to approve the recommended staffincrease. Seconded by councilwoman o'Mahony, carried unanimous Iy . the as L44 RESOLUTION 5-91 - APPROVING CONTRACT FOR STUDY OE' SIGNAL IMPROVE- MENTS - BBSAIWAYIIALIFqBNIA/CAROLAN/ROLLINS INTERSECTIONS, CP 521, Public works Director reviewed the memo of January 3 which recommended council approve an agreement for engj-neering servj-ceswith TJKM Transportation consultants for improvements to the phasing and timing of the subject intersections in the amount of $18,900. The Broadway Merchants and citizens have complained about the timing at the new signals at Broadway/California andthat traffic is backing up during peak hours. Consequently staff has requested the attached proposal from TJKM who are experiencedin the use of a Transyt computer model program for improving the phasing and timing of multiple signal systems. It is expectedthat the results of the study and recommendation will bepresented to council at the February 6 study meeting. Councilman Pagliaro felt the cj-ty should not have to pay for this study since the city relied upon the original consultant who developed the signals. Staff noted that consultant was not required to consider the Rollins signals in thej.r program. Afterfurther discussion, council directed staff to discuss this withthe original consultant and report back to council on thepossibility of some reimbursement from the first consultant. Councilman Pagliaro moved approval of RESoLUTIoN 5-91. Seconded by Councilwoman O'Mahony, carried unanimously. RESOLUTION 6-91 - APPROVING AGREEMENT FOR BREWER RESERVOIR STUDY cP - 018 Director of Public works reviewed his memo of December 27 which recorunended council approve an agreement with C-REM Engineers inthe amount of $14,000 for professional engineering services regarding reactivation of the Brewer Reservoir. This reservoir was abandoned by the city and sold in the early 1970s to aprivate party. This study $riII help determine whether it is reasonable to proceed further vrith a detailed study to reactivatethe reservoir. Councilman Harrison moved adoption of RESoLUTIoN 5-91. by Councilwoman orMahony, carried unanimously. Seconded SENfOR CITfZENS COORDINATING COTiNCIL City Manager's memo of January 3 told that the city had received eleven applications for that committee. He noted that tt/ro more were received after preparation of the staff report. Councilwill schedule interviews. DECEMBER WATER RATfONING REPORT City Manager reviewed his memo of December 26 which showed thecity about 5.3 percent over allocation from San Francisco water. we received a penalty charge of $8,035 for the December billingperiod; this makes five months in a row the city has beenpenalized; the total amount of penalties is over $41,000. He noted the frozen water lines breaking and the fire on Burlingamewill cause us more penalties for the next billing period. In reviewing customer use about 70.8 percent were within allocation. The average residential penalty was $L4 and the average commercial penalty was $180. with low rainfall we face thepossibility of another year of water rationing. Council members were extremely concerned; most people are trying hard to conserve but a few seem not to care; they would like to see a list of customers who are always over aLlocationi council wondered if businesses are using the city's trater rationing signsto notify customersi could city staff visit those with penalties to inform of water saving methods; think penalties should beraised. Staff informed council that most serious overuse is in the comnercial sector; that city is not staffed to make visits to each site. 14s d CONSENT CALENDAR Councilman Pagliaro was glad to see the ordinance to put yieLd signs on Primrose and Bellevue islands; he commented on the nice appearance of the parking structure, merchants are very pleased with it. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE T429 - ON PR]MROSE AND BELLEWE ISTANDS ESTABLISHING YIELD SIGNS Public Works memo of December 18 recommended council adopt a an ordinance to install yield signs on the center islands at the intersection of Primrose and Be11evue. The Traffic Commission has reviewed this request by Councilman Pagliaro and recommended the installation of "Keep Right" signs on the islands and rtYield" signs on the islands for traffic passing between the two islands. b. RESOLUTION 7-9I - ACCEPTING COMPTETION OT PARKING STRUCTURE ON LOT A - CP 726 Public works memo of December 21 recomnended council accept completion of the parking structure constructured by Echo west in the amount of $1,820,101.20. c. DENIAL OF CLAIM OF JEANNE SAUER City Attorneyrs memo of December 18 recommended council deny this claim for injurj-es from a faII in a parking strip near 715 Bayswater because it appears the depression which caused the faII was from PG&E construction. RESOLUTION 8-91 - ACCEPTING COMPLETION OF BAYSHORE SEWER REHABILfTATION - CP 101 Public Works memo of January 2 recommended council accept completion of the sewer rehabilitation installed by Ranger Pipeline in the amount of $20,335.45. e. WARRANTS AND PAYROLL Finance Director recommended approval of warrants L2341 !2737, duly audited, in the amount of $740,982.29 and Payrofl Checks 323'7 8 - 33111, for the month of November 1990, in the amount of $1,177,007.73. Councilwoman o'Mahony moved approval of the Consent calendar. Seconded by Councilman Harrison, carried unanimously by voice vote. COUNCfL COMMITTEE REPORTS Mayor reported on a recent Criminal Justice Councj-I meeting at which graffiti was discussed; it appears the best solution is to imnediately paint over it since the purpose of graffiti 1s recognition for the perpetrators. She mentioned the rear wall of stores on Burlingame have graffiti. staff will notify the owners. Councilman Pagliaro said he had been appointed by the Board of Supervisors to co-chair a committee for the Homeless. NEW BUSINESS Burlingame Avenue Fire: Mayor Barton and council complimented the Fire Department on public relations during and after the fire. conunents from the public and those businesses affected by the fire have been very positive. Councilman Harrison complimented Paul Borg of the Water Department for helping the Fire Department during the fire after being up aII night taki-ng care of citizens with frozen water pipes. Councilwoman orMahony said the Police Department deserves congratulatj-ons on its collection for the Samaritan House. 146 Schedule Appeal Hearings: Mayor Barton scheduled two appeal hearings for January 23, a parking variance at 1617 Chapin and ahillside permit al 2562 Summit. Councilman Pagliaro mentioned 1517 Chapin is his immediate neighbor and he woul-d notparticipate in that hearing. Request for proclamation: Mayor Barton said a request for a Peace Proclamation from rrSave the United Nations" has been received; council determined it would take no position on national and international i-ssues. FROM THE FLOOR Jerry DeaI, Plannj-ng Commissioner, discussed problems he had experienced in the Building Department and said he supPorted the increased staffing of that department and hoped that it would result in more appropriate level of review for both residential and commercial projects; he told corunents he had heard from contractors and homeo$rners; he encouraged establishing a fast track for residential proj ects . ADJOURNMENT IN MEMORY OF PAULINE MURRAY, EVERETT KINDIG, AND BETTY R]CH TOM SINE Mayor Barton noted with regret the recent deaths of several citizens active in city gover nent: Tom Sine, a former Planning Commissioneri Everett Kindig, a former comnissioner and representative to RPC; and Betty Rich, mother of Personnel Assistant cinger Fortmiller. Councilman Pagliaro told of the death of Pauline Murray who was very active in 1ocal children's sport programs and in her church. Mayor Barton asked for a moment of silence and then adjourned the meeting at 9:25 p.m. intheir memory. Judith A.City Clerk Malfa l_ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 1. commission Minutes: Beautification, December 6; Library Board, December 18; Planning, December 10, 1990. 2. Department Reports: Treasurerrs, November 30; Building Inspector's, October 1990; Police, November, 1990. 3. Letter from Burlingame High School thanking Police for safety awaxeness program. 4. Letter from Assemblyman Floyd asking support for new motorcycle helmet biII, AB 7. Council asked that a letter of support be prepared.