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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 1993.10.1847 BI,JRLINGAME, CALIFORNIA October 18, 1993 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. The meeting was called to order at7 34 p.m.by Mayor Harrison. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG kd by the Fire Chief, Malcolm Towns. ROLL CALL COUNCIL PRESENT: COUNCIL ABSENT: MINUTES The minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 4, 1993 were approved after a change on the last page regarding the Library discussion to show Councilwoman Knight felt council had discussed replication of the existing library and that it would be helpful for council and the library board to meet with the public regarding the library reconstruction. Bob Perrett, 3008 Alcazar, said some lights are out at the Bayside Park soccer field; this had been brought to the city's attention months ago and they are still out; trimming trees would help get light on field. Councilwoman O'Mahony spoke to Perrett last week about this; Councilman t embi said both he and Councilman Pagliaro have heard similar complaints for years now. City Manager said contractors have been unable to repair these lights, they think the pole may have been hit by lightning and needed to be completely rewired; city has spent $2,500 this year trying to fix problem; he will check on trees and light repair. Elaine Fuchs, 1117 Hamilton, presented a petition signed by over 100 people concerned with lack of crossing guards at El Camino Real and Adeline, and El Camino Real and Ray Drive; she said 60 families with children who attend Lincoln school live east of El Camino, not to mention students of Mercy and BIS who also cross here; the school site council is looking at this problem. Council- HARRISON, KNIGHT, LEMBI, O'MAHONY, PAGLIARO NONE PUBLIC COMMENTS Alton and Carol Schick, San Mateo residents, spoke about a problem affecting their mother who lives in a Burlingame convalescent home. She is a smoker and is not allowed to smoke in "her home;" she is confined to a wheelchair or bed at all times and cannot go outside; he asked council to consider the few people who are elderly and unable to quit smoking at their stage of life; this is the only pleasure she has and denying smoking is a denial of her civil rights. Councilman Pagliaro found it ironic that we would consider allowing smoking in a health facility; he was not prepared to vote for any amendment to our ordinance. Councilwoman Knight noted the city has allowed exemptions to hotels; the airport provides smoking rooms; her main concern was fire safety, hoped room would be supervised. Council asked if the manager of the hospital would be willing to set aside a room for smokers. Council directed staff to prepare a revision to the smoking ordinance. 4B woman Knight said she had felt uncomfortable with reducing the crossing guards last year; she asked the police report on number of children using crossings take into consideration that many parents are now driving their children who would walk if there were a crossing guard. Councilman Pagliaro asked the cost of each guard; City Manager stated $7,000 each location per year. Fuchs said the population is getting younger, reducing guards may have been right a couple years ago but there are more children in area now. Police Chief said he will have a report for the November 1 meeting. Several other parents speaking included Bob Johnson, Valerie Anissimov, and Gail Shak, who urged council restore crossing guards. WATER BILLING RELIEF DENIED - 3060 ATWATER DRIVE City Manager reviewed the Finance Director's memo of October 7 which recommended council review the request for an adjustrnent on the Postrel water bill of August 19 which was $70 as compared to usual bill of $20. They had an underground leak which they were not aware of. When the city had water rationing staff adjusted the sewer bill and water penalties since the water that leaked did not go into the sewer and usually resulted in an exorbitant penalty. There are no longer water penalties and the sewer rate is now a flat rate not based on water use, so staff made no adjusfrnents. In this case, surface water was visible emerging from a drain and seeping through a wall into the neighbor's yard. Martin Postrel, appellant, said they were unaware of leak until they got water bill; the leak was under their concrete slab house; since they did not know about the leak, they felt they should not have to pay for the water - they did not use it. Council noted the city had to buy the water and if the Postrel's did not pay for it the entire city would have to share the cost; when the crty was fixing penalties, there was some leeway in allowing for adjustments; in this case it would not be fair for neighbors to pay for the leaked water. Councilwoman Knight moved to deny the request for an adjusfrnent. Seconded by Councilman Pagliaro, carried unanimously by voice vote. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE 1494 - REVISING ANTENNA REGULATIONS City Attorney's memo of October 8 recommended council introduce an ordinance revising our regulations regarding all types of antennas in both the residential and commercial districts; attached was a study prepared by Hammett & Edison, consulting engineers, regarding "Antenna Size Requirements for Consumer Satellite Receiving Systems. " Attorney proposed we establish an absolute maximum size for residential dish antennas at seven feet diameter based on the study done by Hammett & Edison, engineers specializing in radio and television antenna; that we establish a procedure whereby antennas which are under certain minimums and in specific locations will be approved over the counter, with the option of a review procedure of a special permit; that any antenna which do not meet the stated standards must have a special permit; and that we state specifically we may ultimately deny an application on the basis of health, safety or aesthetic considerations. Councilman Pagliaro did not think our current ordinance would be held to be unconstitutional or unreasonable and we do prohibit roof dish antenna but we allow them in other areas; this ordinance appears to allow those under seven feet diameter anywhere. Staff responded to questions that council asked about non-reflective paints and 930 Rollins. 49 Councilman kmbi moved to introduce ORDINANCE 1494. Seconded by Councilwoman O'Mahony, carried 4-1 on voice vote, Councilman Pagliaro voting no. REPORT ON AUTO DEALER SIGN City Attorney reviewed his memo of October 14 which informed council the Planning Commission would review at their next meeting a request for a sign amendment for the reader-board sign at Mike Harvey Acura on Broadway. Councilman Pagliaro noted this sign permit does not allow signs which change more than once every five minutes, in spite of the application for an amendment, he has not changed the timing and this should not be allowed; he thought someone should investigate whether the sign can be prograrnmed to meet city requirements. Councilman lrmbi said he had talked to Mike Harvey about the sign; what Harvey wants is to be allowed to take advantage of the capabilities of the sign; perhaps the request and permit amendment should be heard directly by council. Councilman Pagliaro wanted to know if the sign is capable of slower operation. Councilwoman Knight suggested Harvey provide us with expert testimony about the capabilities of the sign. Council directed that the matter come before council on November I rather than go to the Planning Commission. CONSENT CALENDAR a Removed. WARRANTS AND PAYROLLb Finance Director recommended approval of Warrants 28917 - 29271, duly audited, in the amount of $757,575.24 and Payroll Checks 60083 - 60804 for the month of September 1993 in the amount of $1,255,615.53. c.DENIAL OF CLAIM OF RONALD LOPES City Attorney's memo of October 4 recommended council deny this claim for damage from a sewer backup because Iopes had an illegally connected pump which failed. Councilwoman Knight moved approval of the Consent Calendar. Seconded by Councilman lrmbi and carried unanimously. REMOVED CONSENT ITEM AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RELATING TO WASHINGTON PARK WATER WELL - CP 9114 Public Works memo of October 13 recommended council approve an agreement with Stetson Engineers in the amount of $55,050 for professional services. Councilman Pagliaro had questions on the job specifications and amounts charged on contract; after discussion with staff the item was pulled until the next meeting. It was moved and seconded to remove this item from agenda; staff will report back next meeting with more information. a. 50 Councilwoman Knight told about TSM commiffee; noted she would be attending the kague of California Cities conference tomorrow and that one of the resolutions she would be voting on was to call for a constitutional convention. Council members agreed she should vote against that one. C/CAG: Councilman Pagliaro reviewed a meeting centered on the airport and its joining C/CAG; he saw problem in that C/CAG voting power is weighted on population and we wouldn't want to use San Francisco population. They are also proposing a bikeways sub-committee, he suggested former council member Gloria Barton might be interested in serving. Councilwoman Knight commented on Mayor Jordan's letter about how unlikely it was San Francisco would appoint a San Mateo County representative to the San Francisco Airport Commission, yet here they are wanting to be on a San Mateo County organization. Smoking: Councilman Pagliaro mentioned he and Councilwoman Knight received an award from the "Tobacco Free Bay Area" group for efforts in passing our smoking ordinance. Convention Bureau: Councilman trmbi said the nominating committee has chosen Mayor Harrison to be the next president of the bureau. OLD BUSINESS lraf Blowers: Councilwoman Knight asked when this issue would be discussed since the minutes refer to "early 1994." Staff suggested the February study session. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Commission Minutes: Civil Service, September 14; Beautification, October 7; Planning, October 12, 1993. Departrnent Reports: Treasurer, September 30, t993; Building Inspection Report, September t993; Police Report, September 1993. Irtter from E. Siddons, 208 Burlingame, and Bernie Borok, 1475 Lincoln, regarding leaf blowers. ktter from Charlotte Kalbhenn, 415 Burlingame, regarding parking of boats and recreational vehicles on residential streets. Councilwoman Knight agreed there was a problem; she said there were large vehicles blocking sight at her corner; staff noted there is 72 hour maximum for any vehicle being parked; citizen needs to call police and their name would not be reported to the offending party; noted parking on some street corners can be limited to autos to improve sight; agreed the Traffic commission might look into these locations; Kalbhenn had included a list of blocks where there are vehicles stored. A city employee, John Baack, spoke to similar parking problems. a b. c d. e I-etter from Jack Van Etten, 1620 Quesada, congratulating everyone involved in "Art on the Avenue" event. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS 51 ktters from R. R. Miller and Jim Gamlen complaining about new water charges and City Manager's response. g. ktter from Carl Brown regarding BART plans for SFO connection. lrtters from representatives of Lincoln School and several parents regarding the lack of crossing guards. (Discussed under Public Comments.) h. l.Proclamation Recognizing the 40th Anniversary of the Auxiliary to Children's Hospital at Stanford. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was regularly adjourned at 9:12 p.m. f. Judith A. Malfatti City Clerk F