HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 2008/06/05 CC, GMOC MINUTES OF ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL,
( GROWTH MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT COMMISSION AND PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA
June 5, 2008 6:00 P.M.
Adjourned Regular Meetings of the City Council, Growth Management Oversight Commission,
and Planning Commission of the City of Chula Vista were called to order at 6:02 p.m. at the
Chula Vista Police Headquarters, Community Meeting Room, 315 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista,
California.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Councilmembers: Castaneda (arrived at 6:20 p.m.), McCann, Ramirez,
and Mayor Cox
Growth Management Oversight Commissioners: Bazzel, Canaris, Hall
(arrived at 6:13 p.m.), Jones, Palma, Sutton, Chair O'Neill
Planning Commissioners: Bensoussan, Felber, Moctezuma, Spethman,
Vinson, and Chair Trip
ABSENT: Councilmembers: Rindone (excused)
Growth Management Oversight Commissioners: Clayton, Krogh
Planning Commissioners: Clayton
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Garcia, Deputy City Attorney Shirey, Interim City
Clerk Norris, and Deputy City Clerk Bennett
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND MOMENT OF SILENCE
PUBLIC HEARING—City Council, GMOC, Planning Commission
I. REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT
OVERSIGHT COMMISSION'S 2008 ANNUAL REPORT
Each year, the Growth Management Oversight Commission submits its Annual Report to
the Planning Commission and City Council regarding compliance with threshold
standards for eleven Quality-of-Life indicators. The 2008 Annual Report covers the
period from July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007; identifies current issues in the second
half of 2007 and early 2008; and assesses any threshold compliance concerns looking
forward over the next five years. The report discusses each threshold in terms of current
compliance, issues, and corresponding recommendations. (Planning and Building
Director)
Notice of the public hearing was given in accordance with legal requirements, and the
hearing was held on the date and at the time specified in the notice.
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PUBLIC HEARING (Continued)
Assistant Director of Planning Lytle introduced Advanced Planning Manager Batchelder and
Associate Planner Vanderbie. Staffinember Vanderbie then provided an overview of the
function of the Growth Management Oversight Commission(GMOC).
GMOC Chair O'Neill expressed appreciation for the time and professional expertise by City
staff, assistance from the School District, Water District, and Air Pollution Control District, and
the GMOC members with the completion of the Annual Report. He then presented the 2008
GMOC Annual Report regarding compliance with threshold standards for 11 Quality-of-Life
indicators that covered Fiscal Year 2006/2007, identified current issues in the second half of
2007 and early 2008, and expressed concerns with threshold compliance for the next five years.
The following thresholds were found to be in compliance during Fiscal Year 2006/2007: Fiscal,
Air Quality, Water, Drainage, Parks & Recreation, Fire/Emergency Medical Service, and
Schools. Those thresholds not in compliance included Libraries, Police, Traffic and Sewer.
Mayor Cox opened the public hearing.
Peter Watry expressed his appreciation of the efforts by the GMOC in developing parks located
west of Interstate 805.
There being no further members of the public who wished to speak, Mayor Cox closed the public
hearing.
Mayor Cox asked City Manger Garcia whether City staff would have the ability to accomplish
the GMOC's recommendations, given the City's current fiscal status. City Manager Garcia
responded that the recommendations allowed flexibility to work within current budget
constraints, using the recommendations as a guiding principle.
Discussion ensued regarding planned projects and those completed using Public Facilities
Development Impact Fees.
Mayor Cox explained that each threshold would be addressed separately to offer the Council and
Commissions an opportunity for questions and comments.
FISCAL THRESHOLD
The Fiscal Threshold was in compliance with the threshold standards, and was discussed at this
time.
Councilmember Ramirez stated he would like to see a priority list of projects on a regular basis.
Councilmember Castaneda suggested implementation of a policy on the construction of facilities,
including language for the way priorities were dealt with, on how facilities would be funded,
how they would be reported, and impacts of the expenditures, in order to ensure adequate
funding for all projects slated for construction.
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PUBLIC HEARING (Continued)
AIR QUALITY THRESHOLD
The Air Quality Threshold was in compliance with the threshold standards, and was discussed at
this time.
Councilmember Ramirez spoke of the importance of air quality, stating that it was a regional
issue, and he suggested that staff involve San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) on
the issue.
SEWERS THRESHOLD
Mayor Cox stated that since the sewers threshold was a non-compliant threshold, staff would
return to the item once the compliant thresholds had been addressed.
WATER THRESHOLD
The Water Threshold was in compliance with the threshold standards, and was discussed at this
time.
Commissioner Felber referenced the water capacity and demand tables in the staff report (page
1-29, 1-30) for Otay Water District and Sweetwater Authority, and requested that demand tables
for Otay Water District be included in the future.
LIBRARIES THRESHOLD
- Mayor Cox stated that since the Libraries threshold was a non-compliant threshold, staff would
return to the item once the compliant thresholds had been addressed.
DRAINAGE
The Drainage Threshold was in compliance with the threshold standards, and was discussed at
this time.
Councilmember Castaneda commented that drainage had been directed to western Chula Vista,
and the system was dilapidated. He stated that the threshold was inadequate to protect private
property. He suggested that staff look at how to best approach the problem of where the
conveyance system needed to be improved, and that those improvements should be added into
Development Impact Fees, to ensure an accurate assessment of fees for those individuals who
created more drainage flow.
Mayor.Cox asked whether the City kept track of flooded property. City Manager Garcia replied
that regularly updated maps of flood-prone areas were provided to the City from the Corps of
Engineers. Staffinember Hopkins added that some of the problem areas were identified as a
result of complaints received about flooding issues. Commissioner O'Neill stated the biggest
problem was the lack of funding to address drainage.
At 8:04 p.m., Mayor Cox announced a brief recess of the Joint Meeting. The Joint Meeting
reconvened at 8:18 p.m., with all Councilmembers, Growth Management Oversight
Commissioners, and Planning Commissioners present, except Councilmember McCann who
arrived at 8:19 p.m.
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PUBLIC HEARING (Continued)
PARKS &RECREATION THRESHOLD
The Parks & Recreation Threshold was in compliance with the threshold standards, and was
discussed at this time.
Commissioner Moctezuma stated that it would be valuable to define western Chula Vista in the
threshold, so that excess parks on the east would not count towards fulfilling a threshold in the
west, and suggested for the future, there be a matrix for parks with a definite radius for
accessibility by the residents.
Commissioner Spethman spoke about assessments for parks, and asked whether a detailed
master plan was presented to the GMOC. Chair O'Neill responded that a master plan was not
presented, and that the GMOC would be coming back with recommendations on what the west
side might look like, and how to account for old growth and the existing shortage relative to the
new standards. Mayor Cox expanded on the comments by Chair O'Neill, stating that as a result
of state law, the Chula Vista Elementary School District had an all-encompassing community
facility district that provided funds where the funds were needed. Additionally, she stated that
the Otay Valley Regional Park that provided new trails and active recreation extending for 13
miles, from Interstate 5, up through the river valley to Otay Lakes was available to the
community.
Commissioner Bensoussan commented on the need to look at elements of the Parks Master Plan
and the revision of thresholds, particularly for pocket parks and recreation centers in western
Chula Vista. She suggested reviewing the plan and setting priorities. Assistant Director of
Recreation Hall responded that an update to the existing Master Plan would be forthcoming for
the next review cycle for review by the commission. Landscape Planner Gamble added that on
the topic of pocket parks, the General Plan Update recognized the necessity for more creativity in
the delivery of different types of parks for western Chula Vista in the overall solution for
delivering parks. With respect to staffing and maintenance of parks, City Manager Garcia
responded that the Parks Department would be looking at competitive bidding for park
maintenance in order to achieve the most cost effective method of maintaining parks. Mayor
Cox was apprehensive to amend a threshold during lean years. Chair O'Neill added that the City
would need to have the ability to move with changes in the economy.
FIRE &EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES THRESHOLD
The Fire & Emergency Medical Services Threshold was in compliance with the threshold
standard, and was discussed at this time, with a focus on the transition of the fire dispatch center
and the system now used. Interim Fire Chief Geering indicated that sharing resources had
resulted in improved response times.
SCHOOLS THRESHOLD
The Schools Threshold was in compliance with the threshold standard, and was discussed at this
time.- Mayor Cox noted that the threshold was an accounting for the number of classroom seats
for the students in the City, rather than the quality and quantity of education.
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PUBLIC HEARING (Continued)
- ' LIBRARIES THRESHOLD
The Libraries Threshold was not in compliance with the threshold standards, and was discussed
at this time.
Councilmember McCann asked why the County library located in Bonita was not included in the
thresholds. Chair O'Neill responded that it was not within the purview of the GMOC. Mayor
Cox suggested that the County library be counted to determine if that would bring this threshold
closer to compliance. Councilmember McCann concurred with the suggestion by Mayor Cox,
and also requested that staff work with the County library to secure the percentage of Chula
Vista patrons to the facility.
Commissioner Moctezuma did not think a consultant was needed for the update of the Library
Master Plan. Library Director Browder responded that a consultant would provide a nationwide
and statewide comparative analysis, and assist staff with understanding the service level delivery
as compared to other libraries in jurisdictions of like size.
Commissioner Felber.agreed that the City should receive credit for the County Library, as it was
relieving some pressure from the Rancho Del Rey Library. He also supported looking at
threshold standards of other municipalities.
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POLICE THRESHOLD
The Police Threshold was not in compliance with the threshold standards and was discussed at
this time.
Mayor Cox noted that the Priority 2 levels of service by the Police Department were not in
compliance.
Commissioner Vinson stated that in the past 10 consecutive years, the threshold on Priority 2
calls had not been met, and he asked staff if unattainable levels had been set, whether the
threshold could be met in the future, and whether adjustments should me made. Chief Emerson
replied that in the first 8 months of Fiscal Year 2007/2008, an increase in the number of sworn
officers on the street had resulted in a closer approach to the 57 percent threshold standard.
TRAFFIC THRESHOLD
The Traffic Threshold was not in compliance with the threshold standards, and was discussed at
this time.
Mayor Cox requested that staff bring back to the GMOC, non-compliant segments, and measures
that could be implemented in order to bring the segments into better compliance.
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PUBLIC HEARING (Continued)
SEWERS THRESHOLD
The Sewers Threshold was not in compliance with the threshold standards, and was discussed at
this time.
Councilmember McCann spoke of the need for a long-term strategy, stating that the City was at
the mercy of the Point Loma Sewer Treatment Plant with respect to fee increases. He suggested
collaborative efforts with the water agencies and municipalities in the south county to seek long
term plans to treat the sewage, and water recycling for landscaping and other beneficial uses. He
requested that the commissioners be involved.
ACTION: Planning Commissioner Felber moved to adopt the following Planning
Commission Resolution No. PCM-08-04:
RESOLUTION NO. PCM-08-04 RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ACCEPTING THE 2008
GMOC ANNUAL REPORT AND RECOMMENDING ACCEPTANCE BY
THE CITY COUNCIL
Planning Commissioner Moctezuma seconded the motion and it carried 6-0.
ACTION: Councilmember Castaneda moved to adopt the following Council Resolution No.
2008-142, heading read, text waived:
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-142, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF _
THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ACCEPTING THE 2008 GMOC ANNUAL
REPORT, AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO UNDERTAKE
ACTIONS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
AS PRESENTED IN THE STAFF RESPONSES AND PROPOSED
IMPLEMENTING ACTIONS SUMMARY
Councilmember McCann seconded the motion and it carried 4-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - Council, GMOC, Planning Commission
There were none.
Mayor Cox thanked the GMOC, Planning Commission and staff for their work on the report.
Chair O'Neill stated that the GMOC proposed to bring next year's report earlier than June in
order to coordinate with the City's budget process.
At 9:34 p.m., the Growth Management Oversight Commission and the Planning Commission
adjourned to their respective meetings, and the Council convened in Closed Session.
CLOSED SESSION—City Council
2. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION 54957
City Attorney
ACTION: Appointment of Bart Meisfeld as Interim City Attorney (4-0).
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CLOSED SESSION—City Council (Continued)
_ 3. CONFERENCE WITH NEGOTIATOR PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION 54957.6
City Negotiators: City Council and City Attorney
No reportable action was taken on this item.
ADJOURNMENT
At 11:20 p.m., Mayor Cox adjourned the City Council Meeting to its Regular Meeting on June
10, 2008 at 6:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers.
Lorraine Bennett, CMC, Deputy City Clerk
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