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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1977/05/26 MINUTES OF )uN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA Held Thursday - 4:00 p.m. May 26, 1977 An adjourned regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Chula Vista 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 Councilmen absent: Councilmen Hobel, Egdahl Staff present City Manager Cole, Assistant City Manager Asmus, Director of Public Works Robens, Traffic Engineer Hansen Also present Safety Commission Chairman 0chs, Members Evans, Attaway, Arnold, Graves, Knight, Wappes 1. JOINT MEETING WITH THE SAFETY C0~qISSION A. UNWARRPd~TED DELAYS IN Safety Commission Chairman 0chs explained that the purpose ACTION ON REFERRALS of the meeting was to discuss ways and means of improving communications so that duties and assignments can be per- formed more smoothly and efficiently and with less delay. It was the desire of the Commission that in discussing the five items listed as examples of delays that a better understanding of procedures could be developed. Item (1) - Mr. Ochs referred to five of six recommendations made by the Safety Commission over a year ago regarding changes to Title 10 of the City Code: Vehicles and Traffic. This was referred by the Council to staff and to the Bi- cycle Committee. Processing of recommenda- In answer to questions from the Council, Director of tion of Commission regard- Public Works Robens explained the process concerning the Uniform Bicycle Ordinance first draft of the Uniform Bicycle Ordinance which was reviewed by the Commission in April of 1976 and.referred to the staff in July. It was last reviewed by the Bicycle Committee in December. In working with the City Attorney and Police Department, problems developed which delayed the process. However, staff was unaware of the concern of the Safety Commission as there was no "due date" established for a report of recommendation. Subsequently, because of many changes, the Bicycle Committee has determined it is best to look at this ordinance again and possibly expand it. Deadlines helpful Council discussion ensued and it was determined that it would be helpful to have deadlines established and prior- ities set on all items that are referred by the Council. Traffic Engineer Hansen, as the staff representative at the Safety Commission meetings, said he will be glad to make oral status reports to the Commission as needed or requested on any item under consideration. School safety routes Item (2) - Review/study of signing of traffic control of Chula Vista schools [July 1976). Mr. 0chs outlined the work done by the Commission on a study assigning safe routes toschools and a review of speed zones in school areas. Adjourned Regular Meeting -2- May 26, 1977 Study included in work In answer to a query from Councilmembers, City Manager program for 1977-78 Cole and Director of Public Works Robens said the staff concurred that this was a worthwhile endeavor; however, the study involves 100 to ISO man hours and because of funding and priorities, it has been included in the work program for FY1977-78. It has also been included in an application for grant funds. Council to set priorities Council discussion followed concerning the proper pro- on substantive items cedure for handling matters of this nature. It was deter- mined that when a Board or Commission has a request that needs substantial staff support, the appropriate pro- cedure is to report it to the Council and have the Council set priorities and give direction to the staff. In those instances where items can be handled quickly and simply, the staff may respond in a routine manner. In response to concerns expressed by Commission members, regarding possible delays in referring items to staff and then to the Council, it was clarified that this is often a shortcut as the Council can then make evaluations and base decisions on information and input from the staff. Communications to Mayor Hyde stressed that communications to the Council Council open are open and a phone call or memo from the Commission can alert the Council to pending items of an urgent nature. Agenda procedures City Manager Cole briefly outlined the procedures in staff agenda meetings where recommendations or suggestions from the Commissions may be held for a short time pending a staff study or report that is due concerning the same or related subject. When matters require considerable staff time, requests can be routed through the City Manager who will summarize staff workloads for the Council, and Council can then give directions to the staff. Request for Fire Item (3) - Request for Fire Department representative to Department representative attend Safety Commission meetings. Mr. Ochs said the at Commission meetings Commission has had no response to this request. City Manager Cole said this had been discussed with the Fire Chief and it was determined that the agenda of the Commission might not warrant the time of Fire Department personnel at each meeting; however, if an item needed input from this Department, a representative would certainly attend. Council discussion Council discussion followed concerning (1) having a rep- resentative attend on a trial basis for a three-month period; (2) requesting fire personnel on an "as needed" basis at any time during the meetings (Fire Department personnel are available 24 hours a day); and (3) if Fire Department personnel attended the meetings, there might be more items where valid input can be given. Representative to The Council and staff concurred that representative from attend meetings for the Fire Department would attend the Commission meetings one month on trial for one month on a trial basis. basis Adjourned Regular Meeting -3- May 26, 1977 Installation of Item (4) - Installation of reflectors on "L" Street at reflectors on "L" Street the curve just east of Third Avenue. In response to a statement by Mr. 0chs that reflectors were installed, but not in the manner recommended, Director of Public Works Roberts commented that the center line is reflec- torized for the curves and signs were installed at the curves. Staff thought they were complying with the re- commendation and feel it is a safe situation with proper signs and warnings in accordance with the manual. Mr. Arnold said there was still some concern as the signs do not indicate the pending curve to the left and the reflectors should show that traffic moves to the left. Suggestion to reexamine Mayor Hyde suggested that the Safety Commission reexamine curve warnings this item and if necessary, refer it back to the Council. Installation of center Item (5) - Installation of reflectors at the center line line on San Miguel marked on the curve of San Miguel (in the area of Cook School) and the installation of a curve warning sign. Commission not aware Traffic Engineer Hansen said complaints had been re- of action ceived of high speeds in this area and it was referred to the Safety Commission and staff. Staff recommended the installation of a center line and raised reflectors. The center line was installed as a first step and a speed survey taken which indicated no further problem. Staff recommended continued police enforcement. Mr. Hansen said he did fail to inform the Safety Commission of this action. Status reports to be The Council, the Commission members and staff discussed made to Safety Com- various methods of keeping the Commission informed of mission on regular completed projects and projects still in progress. Mr. basis Roberts said the Public Works Department has this informa- tion and they will put it in display form for the Com- mission and present it to them on a regular basis as status reports on pending projects. B. RECOMMENDED CODED This item was resolved by the status reports to be SYSTEM FOR REFERRALS presented as a regular procedure. C. DISCUSSION REGARD- Chairman Ochs asked if the Commission was properly pre- ING COUNCIL TIME senting their recommendations as Council action was often DEVOTED TO COMMIS- taken on items in a very short time. SION RECOMMENDATIONS Mayor Hyde explained that the Council does have compre- hensive background for each item and Councilmembers often make individual inspections of areas in question. Lack of discussion by the Council merely indicates they have had sufficient information and can make decisions quickly; there- fore, unless an item is controversial, there is often no need for discussion. D. DISCUSSION REGARD- The Council and the Commission discussed the benefit of lNG FEASIBILITY OF closer coordination between the Boards and Commissions EXCHANGING AGENDAS by an exchange of agendas. It was mutually agreed that if AMONG ALL BOARDS the Chairman felt there was an interest or need for agendas AND COMMISSIONS of other Boards and Commissions, that a copy could be re- quested from the Boards and Commissions Secretary. (This would be on a request basis with one copy furnished to the Chairman.) Adjourned Regular Meeting -4- May 26, 1977 E. FEASIBILITY OF ALLOW- Mr. Ochs explained that he was also the Safety Com- ING RESPECTIVE BOARDS mission representative on the Bicycle Committee and it was AND CO~ISSIONS TO the consensus that Committee members should be bike riders. REQUEST OR DESIGNATE He will be leaving the Commission and the remaining mem- PARTICULAR QUALIFICA- bers do not ride a bike. Mr. Ochs asked if it would be TIONS FOR CERTAIN possible for the Commission to make recommendations to the PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS Council concerning qualifications in this respect for prospec- tive appointments to the Commission. Mayor Hyde assured the Commission members that if they would let the Council know what they feel would be desirable qualifications, this would be considered by the Council in making decisions on appointments. F. INDIVIDUAL CO, IS- Mr. Attaway suggested that more detailed information be given SION MEMBER to the Council in the Commission recommendations so that COMMENTS the Council will have a better understanding of what the Commission position is. Mayor Hyde indicated that the Council needs information in summary form, rather than in detail; however, all necessary information should be included. Minority reports may also be filed in writing. Suggestion for Mr. Evans suggested that some delays could be avoided if, avoiding delays in requesting information from the staff, data already available could be used, i.e., rather than take new traffic surveys, perhaps data taken previously and on file in the Traffic Department would still be valid. Suggestion for adequate Mr. Arnold expressed his concern regarding adequate plan- street designing and ning and designing of new streets in new subdivisions or planning in areas of redevelopment. He felt streets should be designed for future traffic needs in width, safety islands, "U" turns, and proper signals. (Councilman Scott left the meeting at this time - 5:25 p.m.) Meeting officially Mayor Hyde announced that the meeting was officially ad- adjourned - unofficially journed due to the lack of a quorum. However, Commission continued members were invited to continue with their comments. Request for flashing Mr. Knight commented on the need for crosswalks being re- lights and crosswalks inforced with flashing lights, particularly for the benefit of school children. Supportive data needed Mr. Wappes suggested that all available supportive data by Commission with agenda be furnished to the Commission members with their agenda packets packets when items are referred by the Council for their review and study. Sometimes the only information is the title of the item on the agenda - which delays action. Mr. Robens said that whenever possible, if supportive data is available, it will be given to the Commission. However, there is a problem depending on the scheduled meeting dates, especially when the information is not available, even to staff, and must be researched. Adjourned Regular Meeting -5- May 26, 1977 Commission members Mayor Hyde announced that letters of resignation have recognized been received from Mr. Och$ and Mr. Wappcs. He ex- pressed the appreciation and thanks of the Council for their services on the Safety Commission. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hyde adjourned the meeting (5:50 p.m.) to the Council Conference scheduled for Tuesday, May 31~ 1977 in the Council Chambers to begin budget deliberations. JENNIE M. FULASZ, CMC City Clerk ~/ Deputy City Clerk