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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 1989.07.193911 CITY OF BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL STUDY MEETING wednesday, July 19, t989, 7:30 PM city HaII Conference Room A Mayor Irv Amstrup convened the study session of the Burlingame city Council on the above date in Conference Room A of Burlingame City HaIl at 7:30 PM. PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS AI{SERUP, BARTON, MANGINI , ABSENT: LEI{BI STAFF PRESENT: ARGYRES, COLEMAN, KIRKUP, MONROE OTHERS PRESENT: SUPERVISOR BILI SCHI,MACHER PAGLIARO 1. COUNTY PROPOSAL EXPO CENTER/FAIRGROI'NDS FIJNDING The City Manager reviewed the l-atest proposal for funding an expan- sion and improvement at the fairground. The proposal is an $11million project with the majority of funding coming from Semicon. The County would fund $2.5 million of the cost and is asking the five largest hotel tax cities to fund the balance in proportion to the hotel tax they receive. Burlingame's share would be $1.2 mi1- lion. The county estimates that Burlingame wouLd recover this in approximately three years from increased hotel and sales tax from the expanded convention facilities. Councilwoman Barton felt that this was a better plan than previ- ously proposed in that it required no hotel tax increase. She felt that it may be a good investment for Burlingame; Councilman Mangini agreed. Mayor Amstrup stated that the hotels he had discussed this with would rather spend the funds in Burlingame; but the Semicon convention was important and if the fairgrounds was the only alter- native, it was worthy of consideration. Councilman Pagliaro ques- tioned the proposal. He felt that South San Francisco has already stated that they would not participate and that the estimates for pay back were questionable. He sa\,, no benefits for the tax payers of Burlingame. He also stated that if we did contribute, vre should have some ownership or management control. Mayor asked Supervisor Schumacher if he had any comments. Super- visor Schumacher reviewed the various alternatives that they have tried to expand and improve the fairgrounds. The objective is to approve the fairground facilities for trade shows to help fill the hotels and keep semicon. we need to support the hotels regionally. He thought that the traffic mitigation costs which were requested by San Mateo were negotiable. Mayor Amstrup stated that he saw no support for Burlingame paying for traffic improvement costs in San Mateo . Councilman Pagliaro questioned Supervisor Schumacher as to whether the County would be willing to give Burlingame a position on the Board of Directors of the new expo center. Supervisor indicatedthat this vras a reasonable request that could be considered. Mayor Amstrup concurred that it was important for Burlingame to insurethat the facilities are used to improve hotel occupancy. Council asked Rick Adie--General Manager of the Hyatt--to make any corunents as to how he viewed the proposal. Mr. Adie felt that thehotels needed help and that occupancy in Burlingame vrould continueto deteriorate due to increased competition from other cities with convention facilities. He indicated support for the expo proposal . council$roman Barton asked him about his feeling on j.ncreasing hoteltax. Mr. Adie said he could not speak for other hotels, but at hishotel he felt that an increase in hotel tax would not adversely af-fect his business as long as the tax stayed below San Francisco. 392 In summary, the Council consensus was to support the proposal sub-ject to clarj.fication on issues of representation on any form of Board of Dj-reetors and revision of the traffic mitigation funds proposed. 2. EDGEHILL REZONfNG The City Pl-anner reviewed the staff report for a general plan amendment in rezoning of the properties between California Drive and Edgehill from heavy commercial to multiple residential uses. Councilman Pagliaro guestioned the 35-foot height proposal. After discussion, the Council concurred that a overlay $rith a 3o-footheight should be considered due to the slopes on the properties. Council concurred with the other items presented in the staff report . 3. FENCE HEIGHTS The city Planner reviewed with the Council the past problems thecity has had with fence heights due to sloping lots and retainingwalls. After discussion, the Council concurred with the recom- mended code revisions presented in the staff report, including in- creasing the maximum height of fences along side and rear property lines behind the front setback to a maximum of seven feet provided the top one foot is of an open or trellis type fence which wouldallov, air and light through the fence. Staff will bring these proposed code revisions to a regular council meeting for considera-tion. 4. PARKING STRUCTURE LOT A - PARK]NG TIME LIMITS Councilman Pagliaro questioned why the need for 1o-hour parking time limits when the purpose of the additional parking was tobenefit the shoppers and restaurants. He was concerned that theparking lot should not be used for commuters. There was a discus- sion of the need for parking for employees and that we should use meters rather than coin boxes. Councilwoman Barton stated that the reason for the long term was to provide spaces for the employees sothat they \,rouId stop using the existing short-term lots nearest theshops. After further discussion, the Council thought that an 8-hour time limit would be more appropriate than 10 hours. 5. A}iIZA BOULEVARD BRIDGE NAI4E CHANGE The CounciL reviewed the various suggestions that had been made, but did not wish to initiate any change at this time. 6. COI'NCIL COMMENTS Mayor Amstrup reminded the council that the opening ceremony for the freeway connection was scheduled for August 29. councilmanPagliaro indicated that he felt very strongly that the city Mayor should be the only speaker at the ceremony and that since Burlin- game is paying for the complete project, that we should control the ceremonial activities. Councilwoman Barton asked that a letter be sent to the council- of Mayors authorizing her to vote on behalf of the city at the next meeting. FROM THE FLOOR There were no comments from the floor. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM. Judith A. Malfattcity Clerk vmy