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.