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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1978/02/09 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA Held Thursday - 4:00 p.m. February 9, 1978 An adjourned regular meeting of the City Council of Chula Vista, California, was held on the above date beginning at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Conference Room, City Hall, 276 Fourth Avenue. ROLL CALL Councilmen present: Mayor Hyde, Councilmen Cox, Scott, Egdahl Councilmen absent: Councilman Hobel Staff present: City Manager Cole, City Attorney Lindberg, Assistant City Manager Asmus, Director of Planning Peterson 1. OPERATION OF THE Director of Planning Peterson discussed the operation of the PLANNING DEPARTMENT Planning Department noting that the department consists of sixteen people, not counting the Zoning Enforcement Officer recently transferred to the Building and Housing Department. He described the operation of the department as a "tread- mill operation" noting the divisions within the department and their responsibilities. Mr. Peterson commented on the services provided by his staff to the various commissions and committees within the City and County. Other areas of staff operations were: (1) plan checking - every building permit is reviewed along with all remodelings; (2) public counter and telephone inquiries; (3) correcting "mis-information" regarding zoning matters; (4) meeting dead- lines; (5) inauguration of the design review committee. Mr. Peterson indicated there were areas where the City Council gets involved in matters which they do not need to, such as precise plans, tentative maps and deferrels of the installa- tion of public improvements. He added that there is a need to look at the Code provisions to ascertain whether some of these matters can be broken down into categories without having to go to the City Council for approval. Mr. Peterson then explained the off-street parking require- ments now established by the Zoning Ordinance stating that some of the categories, such as banks and office buildings, need to be reviewed. In answer to Councilman Scott's query, Mr. Peterson said it would take staff approximately 2-1/2 months to bring these changes to the Council for action. General Plan Mayor Hyde asked about the General Plan review. Mr. Peterson explained that the staff reviews the Plan on "some sort of basis" at least twice a year; amendments are filed in April and October of each year. There should be a thorough review once a year; however, this hasn't been accomplished in the last four years. Mr. Peterson added that he felt the density ranges in the General Plan were too high, and once the E1 Rancho del Rey matter is finalized, then the staff will con- centrate on the General Plan review. Organizational Changes In answer to Mayor's inquiry, Mr. Peterson stated that he is contemplating no organization changes with the department's move to the new building. Field Trip Mayor Hyde remarked that the Council hasn't been taken on a field trip of the City for quite some time to view all the new constructions. Mr. Peterson said the Council should have this scheduled at least twice a year. Mayor Hyde indicated it would be helpful for the Director of Planning to schedule a trip before budget deliberations. Adjourned Regular Meeting -2- February 9, 1978 2. JARVIS/GANN PROPERTY City Manager Cole submitted a report to the Council of his TAX INITIATIVE preliminary analysis of the Jarvis/Gann Initiative's impact upon the City. In his report, he listed the various reductions which would necessarily have to be made in the various depart- ments and the cost-savings factor. Mayor Hyde declared that the figures and information in the report were "hypothetical" and should be treated in that light especially by any news coverage. If the Initiative does come to pass, the exact manner in which any adjustments would be made might very well be different than shown in the Manager's report. City Manager Cole commented that the reductions listed in the report were "across the board" speculations and do not take into account priorities as the Council may see them. Councilman Scott said that it points out the magnitude and, in no way, the solution to the problem. City Attorney's Comments Mr. Lindberg commented that the Jarvis/Gann Initiative should be recognized as an almost total obstacle of any future re- development projects. In answer to Council's inquiry concern- ing the time element (if Initiative p~$$e$ ~ June~, ~t will become effective July 1), Mr. Lindberg indicated there was little chance of legal action in delaying the July 1 date of the Initiative. (Councilman Scott left the meeting at this time - 4:55 p.m.) Mr. Lindberg explained the impact the Initiative would have on tax increment financing and the adverse effect on cities to generate monies through general obligation bonds. Motion to accept report It was moved by Mayor Hyde, seconded by Councilman Egdahl and unanimously carried by those present that the report be accepted. Council Procedure Councilman Cox questioned how the City should proceed at this point; he felt the staff should be given this direction. Council discussion Mayor Hyde said he discussed this with the City Manager. As far as negotiations with the various employee groups were concerned, the City would proceed with the understanding that if the Initiative passes, any agreements reached would not be binding, City Manager Cole remarked that if the Initiative passes on June 6, 1978 the City would have to come up with a new budget prior to July 1, 1978. Councilman Egdahl said he would see the City working over a six-month period of time and looking at other sources of revenues to carry the City for this time period. Any cut in services that would be made that involve personnel should be done with a great deal of consideration involving a lot of factors. Councilman Egdahl questioned the agreements made in the "meet and confer" negotiations, such as a four-man fire crew. If this were to be cut to a three-man crew, what effect would it have on the negotiations? Assistant City Manager Asmus said the staff would have to look at all changes that have been negotiated and they would have to be re-negotiated. Mr. Asmus added that it would be important for the Council to give the citizens information of what really will be the impact if the Initiative passes. Adjourned Regular Meeting -3- February 9, 1978 Mayor Hyde said that the Council members plan to act in- dividually in disseminating this information and also in concert with other agencies. Capital Improvement City Manager Cole commented that the Council may wish to Program look at the Capital Improvement Program projects which would add to the operating costs and may wish to consider not proceeding with those projects between now and June. Motion for staff report It was moved by Councilman Egdahl, seconded by Mayor Hyde on CIP projects and unanimously carried by those present that the staff prepare a list of those that have now been adopted and in- the-works and will go through unless the Council stops them - if they are at a point whereby they can be held off. The staff to bring this list back to the Council at the earliest date. Further discussion Councilman Egdahl commented that the Council should look at the Initiative,not in terms of the number of jobs that will be terminated,but at the level of service the community will receive and what that might mean. Mayor Hyde noted that all the redevelopment efforts had one consequence: stimulation of the economy to create jobs - to enhance the revenues of the City so that the tax burden would be alleviated to some extent - the tax initiative would have a devastating effect on this. 3. APPOINTMENT TO LIBRARY Mayor Hyde noted that two members of the Council were not BOARD OF TRUSTEES present. Motion to carry over It was moved by Mayor Hyde, seconded by Councilman Cox and unanimously carried by those present that this matter be carried over to the next regular meeting. 4. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT None. 5. MAYOR'S REPORT Design Review Committee - Mayor Hyde referred to his memo to the Council in which Appointments he recommended nomination of five persons to the Design Review Committee. The Council concurred that this matter should be carried over to the next regular meeting inasmuch as two Councilmen were absent. Remodeling of Council/ Mayor Hyde asked whether the Council members had an opportunity Mayor Office to review the sketches submitted of the remodeling of the Council office. Oiscussion ensued regarding various aspects of the remodeling. In answer to the Council's queries, Mayor Hyde said that provision has been made in the plans for an area to house the Council secretary and that of the secretary to the Boards and Commissions. This person will be placed under the super- vision of the Council secretary. The Council secretary will be supervised by the Mayor since the City Clerk will be moving out of the area into a new office. Space is also to be provided for a CETA employee which position may be filled Sometime 5n the future. Adjourned Regular Meeting -4- February 9, 1978 Mayor's plans approved It was moved by Councilman Cox, seconded by Councilman Egdahl and unanimously carried by those present that the Council proceed with the plans as submitted by the Mayor. Invitation to ride Mayor Hyde announced that an invitation has been received on train from Supervisor Baxter Ward, Los Angeles, to ride on the "El Camino" train on its inaugural run on February 14, 1978. Executive Session It was moved by Mayor Hyde, seconded by Councilman Cox and unanimously carried by those present that an Executive Session be called for litigation purposes. The Council recessed to Executive Session at 5:17 p.m. and the meeting reconvened at 5:46 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hyde adjourned the meeting at 5:46 p.m. to the next regular scheduled meeting of February 14, 1978 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall.