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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 1998.02.18BI,JRLINGAME, CALIFORNIA February 18, 1998 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 at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Spinelli. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Led by Fire Chief Bill Reilly The mayor noted this is the first officially televised council meeting. The tape will be played the day following the meeting at 5:30 on the Burlingame Cable Channel. ROLL CALL COUNCIL PRESENT COUNCIL ABSENT: GALLIGAN, JANNEY, KNIGHT, O'MAHONY, SPINELLI NONE MINUTES The minutes of the Financing Authority and the Regular Meeting of February 2, 1998 were approved. The minutes of the Study Meeting of February 7 , 1998 were approved after changes on page 2, second paragraph by Councilwoman Knight who noted correction should read " ...the Transportation Authority Mso addressed the lgopening of the Harbor Boulevard crossing but cities should not exoect the Authoritv to cover cost overuuns on grade separation projects. ' And the sixth paragraph she said "Council should use its prerogative forfewer longg terms (for commissioners). She also asked that council and the Planning Cornmission "....review standards for restaurants and take-out permits soon." Councilwoman O'Mahony added on page 3 line 6 regarding Cuernavaca Park "...we could add more level area and schedule soccer games..." PUBLIC COMMENTS Mr. Viglizzo, 8 Toledo Court, said he has been a resident for 12 years and recently three homes were built on a hill above him, these properties drain onto his property which has a storm drain at the rear and he was very concerned about damage to his properff and the possibility of slides; he showed photos of the drainage problems and said he had spoken to the city's public works department and got no relief" The mayor suggested he talk to our Public Works Director. PARK[NG LOT -H'' AT RALSTON AND EL CAM ING TRIAL Public Works Director reviewed his memo of February 5, 1998 which recommended council provide staff with direction on free parking at Lot H located at the corner of Ralston and El Camino. In December, council directed staff to provide 10-hour free parking at Lot H for a 60 day trial period to encourage business district employees to park at this location. The Streetscape parking study 1 297 indicated this lot was under used with an occupancy rate of 18 percent. Staff has conducted a survey of Lot H during December and January and the occupancy rate has increased to 50 percent in the six weeks since it was first posted as free parking. Council can continue with the trial program, make the 10-hour free parking permanent, or revert back to paid parking. Council was pleased to see the increased use; employees appreciate it; asked if funds lost include the cost of collection; if this is made permanent staff could remove the coin box; some employees are not aware of this parking opportunity, the Chamber of Commerce puts notice in its newsletter and also will distribute to businesses; council noted with the upcoming building project at the Safeway Market across the street, this lot may be used even more. After discussion council agreed to extend the trial period for six months more. Staff will bring this item to council in September. Councilman Galligan moved to extend the free parking trial for another six months. Seconded by Vice Mayor Janney and carried unanimously 5-0 on a voice vote. City Planner reviewed her memo of January 29 which recommended council introduce this ordinance to change the definition of "financial institution" to except one-person offices from the definition. The Planning Commission has worked on this change for several months and recommend the ordinance for adoption. Councilman Galligan had some concerns about limiting this exclusion to only one-person offices and about calling an investment counselor a "financial institution," most of these people have broker licenses and secretaries. Council discussed with staff deleting reference or changing definitions; after considerable discussion, council sent this ordinance back to staff for revisions and to return to council for more review at its March2,1,998 meeting. CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION APPOINTMENT AND COMMISSION TERM EXPIRATIONS Councilwoman O'Mahony said she and Councilman Galligan had interviewed several applicants before the meeting. Councilman Galligan noted there were four excellent candidates and he nominated Manny Flores to the Civil Service Commission. There were no other nominations and Flores was unanimously approved. He asked that the other three candidates be invited to apply for the Planning Commission openings. City Manager reviewed his memo of February 10 which recommended council call for applicants to the Senior Commission, Planning Commission and the Library Board. In addition council received a letter of resignation today from Planning Commissioner John Wellford and a letter from Planning Commissioner Chuck Mink indicating he would not seek reappointment to the commission. Council set a deadline of March 31, 1998 for applications to these commissions. He noted commissioners are asked to continue to serve until they are replaced. Council delayed calling for Library Board applications until May. PROPOSED ACOUISITION OF BFI FACILITIES IN SAN CARLOS BY THE SOUTH BAYSIDE TRANSFER STATION AUTHORITY Finance Director reviewed his memo of February 10 which recommended council advise staff on an upcoming vote regarding this proposal. If council decides we should consider participation in this February 18, 1998 298 Burlingame City Council acquisition, we should adjourn to closed session to discuss terms. The city is part of a joint powers authority, the South Bayside Transfer Station Authority, which has an agreement with BFI regarding the transfer station facility in San Carlos. This agreement provides that the SBTSA may acquire the facilities at book value (cost less depreciation) and some of the land can be acquired at book (acquisi- tion) value or fair market value. The acquisition cost would be in excess of $15 million and the SBTSA would contract with BFI to operate the facility. The key question is not financial but is whether we want to be in the business of owning solid waste and recycling facilities. He noted four of the SBTSA cities have already reviewed this issue favorably. Council agreed to discuss further in Closed Session at the end of this meeting. CONSENT CALENDAR RESOLUTION 11-98 ACCEPTING COMPLETION OF MILLS CANYON SLIDE REPAIR. PHASE II - CP 9607 Public Works memo of February 10 recommended council accept the project as completed by John Tyson Construction of El Sobrante in the amount of $68,000. RESOLUTION 12-98 APPROVING CHANGES TO LIST OF DESIGNATED EMPLOYEES UNDER THE CITY'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE a b. City Attorney's memo of February 10 recommended council adopt an amendment to the city's Conflict of Interest Code. State law requires that we review our Code every two years to ensure it is current. The city has added new job classifications and other positions have been assigned greater responsibility. In addition the current Code does not differentiate between employees who deal in real property matters and those who do not. c ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 1587 AMENDING SIGN CODE AND ENCROACHMENT PERMIT REOUIREMENTS TO ALLOW PRIVATELY OWNED FIGURES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY IN SUB-AREA A OF THE BURLINGAME AVENUE COM- MERCIAL AREA City Planner's memo of February 9, 1998 recommended council review the provisions and adopt the ordinance. The public hearing was held at the last meeting, February 2, t998, when the ordinance was reintroduced after some changes were made at the January 20 meeting. If approved, the applicant for a private figure on Burlingame Avenue may apply for an encroach- ment permit on March 18, 1998. Public Works' memo of February 10 recommended council approve the encroachment permit for a three-foot high retaining wall with conditions. e. APPROVE PURCHASE IN FY 1998-99 OF A NEW FIRE ENGINE Fire Chief's memo of February 10, 1998 recommended council give approval for the Fire Department to order a new fire engine that would be delivered in October 1998. There will be a price increase in April so it is to our advantage to order now. Burlingame Ciry Council 299 February 18, 1998 f. REJECT CLAIMS OF (1) ANTONIO GUTIERREZ AND (2) TED YAMAGISHI City Attorney's memos of February 4, 1998 recommended council reject these claims for (1) personal injury to his daughter and (2) damage to a vehicle. g. RESOLUTION 13-98 DESIGNATING AGENTS FOR 1998 WINTER STORM CLAIMS Finance Director's memo of February 1998 recommended council approve a resolution authorizing individuals who can sign documents associated with the 1998 winter storms. Vice Mayor Janney moved approval of the consent calendar. Seconded by Councilman Galligan and carried unanimously 5-0 by voice vote. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS Councilwoman Knight reported on Airport Land Use Committee (ALUC) meeting; the Transportation Authority meeting and Criminal Justice. Vice Mayor Janney invited council members to attend an upcoming Chamber coffee on March 11 at the Doubletree Hotel. City Attorney responded to council questions about the Brown Act provisions for such events at which a majority of council might attend; he cautioned them not to discuss the topic presented with others at the meeting or amongst themselves. Councilman Galligan attended the Chamber meeting with Vice Mayor Janney and he also attended the North County Council of Cities meeting. OLD BUSINESS Councilwoman Knight mentioned concerns expressed to her from residents concerning double parking during the morning and afternoons while dropping children off and picking them up at St. Catherine's School on Bayswater. NEW BUSINESS Mayor Spinelli scheduled an appeal hearing for the next meeting, March 2, 1998 for a snack shop at the Chevron Station, 1101 Broadway. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Commission Minutes: Library Board, December 16, 1997 and January 20, 1998; Planning, February 9, 1998; Beautification, February 5, 1998. Department Reports: Treasurer, January 31, 1998; Building, January 1998. ktter from Norman Utigard regarding street sweeper noise. Letter from Dr. Ferguson regarding noisy leaf blowers and the need to spray Sycamore trees. Letter from Richard Schwartz regarding the large homes being built and the need to reduce FAR. a b c d e February 18, 1998 300 Burlingame City Council f. oE Letter from James Kelly Jr. regarding BART impacts Convention & Visitors Bureau Report, January 1998. Councilman Galligan thanked the Library Board for meeting with council yesterday; he said it will be interesting to see what happens with the issue of the Internet. CLOSED SESSION At7:57 p.m. council adjourned to a closed session with staff regarding property negotiations and acquisition by the SBTSA of the BFI facilities in San Carlos. The meeting reconvened at 8:22 p.m. and council indicated that it had directed staff on negotiations but council had strong reservations against the purchase of the BFI facilities. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Spinelli adjourned the meeting at 8:23 p.m. Judith A. Malfatti City Clerk Burlingame City Council 301 February 18, 1998