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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 2006/04/06 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA April 6, 2006 6:00 P.M. An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Chula Vista was called to order at 6:07 p.m. in the Council Chambers, located in City Hall, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmembers: Castaneda (arrived at 6:08 p.m.), Chavez, McCann, Rindone, and Mayor Padilla ABSENT: Councilmembers: None ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Rowlands, City Attorney Moore, and Deputy City Clerk Bennett PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, MOMENT OF SILENCE WORKSHOP At 6: I 0 p.m., Councilmember McCann left the dais and did not return due to a conflict of interest with property in which he has an interest that is within 500 feet of the Montgomery Area. I. THE MONTGOMERY ANNEXATION: AN OVERVIEW OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE (I 986-PRESENT) In response to a Council referral, the purpose of the workshop was to address past, present, and future changes in municipal service levels, infrastructure improvements, and governance structures within the Montgomery area since its annexation to the City in 1985. City Manager Rowlands introduced Principal Community Development Specialist Lee and Associate Planner Lopez, who presented an overview of historical issues and challenges in the Montomery area; what was proposed to change as a result of annexation; initiatives and activities the City has been actively engaged in within the area since annexation, including an account of municipal services, infrastructure, and governance from 1986 to present; and existing efforts and future opportunities within the Montgomery area. Councilmember Rindone expressed the need to remain vigilant in ensuring that capital dollars and grant funding are allocated in to the area to ensure that the quality of infrastructure matches that of the balance of the City. Mayor Padilla stated that ongoing infrastructure improvements and increased investment in the Montgomery area would continue to be a priority of the Council. At 6:57 p.m., Mayor Padilla handed the gavel to Councilmember Rindone, stating that he needed to leave the meeting due to a prior engagement. He then left the Chambers. WORKSHOP (continued) Councilmember Chavez suggested fonning a Montgomery committee consisting of community members who would like to come together to assess what is going on and create a venue by which community residents could come to ask questions. She also announced that the report was accessible on the City's website and suggested that staff take copies when presenting the "safe streets" program to the community. Councilmember Rindone concurred with the suggestion to fonn a committee. The following members of the public spoke to the item: Steve Palma stated that Montgomery residents should have everything they were promised 20 years ago, particularly sidewalks, street lights, sewers, and drainage. He asked how much money was generated for the City by the Otay area in 1986. Assistant Director of Finance Davis responded that the report indicated that the Montgomery area generated $4.1 million in 1988 and $8.7 million in 2005, compared to total City revenues of$73.8 million. Bill Tripp commented that the southwestern and western portions of the City are increasingly among topics discussed at Growth Management Oversight Commission meetings; and he anticipated that they would be more frequent topics of the Planning Commission, as well, with the redevelopment of the bayfront and westside. Teresa Thomas, board member of the Palomar Palace Estates Homeowners Association, spoke about the need to recognize the southwestern portion of the City as an economic generator that goes beyond the residents who live there. She suggested that the Council consider I) placing sidewalks, gutters, lights, and safe walkways on Second A venue, between Oxford Street and Palomar Street, between Broadway and Fourth Avenue, and in certain other parts of the west side; 2) restoring service to the fonner 702 transit route, citing also the need for service and changes to the 701 and old 703 routes; 3) reassessing the timing of traffic lights in the Montgomery area and on Palomar Street and Orange Avenue; 4) repaving streets and repairing potholes, particularly from Second Avenue south of Naples to Palomar; 5) preserving and protecting historical buildings and monuments and certain trees on Palomar; and 6) placing an Air Resource Board monitor in the southwest region ofthe City. Rudy Ramirez spoke about the City's physical infrastructure and was hopeful that the City would utilize the assessment fonnula and criteria that was established with Quintard Street improvements for future sidewalk and street improvements. Mr. Ramirez stated that the single largest problem in the southwest area is homeless people, which he believed affected the quality of life in the community and was an issue that would require a comprehensive, regional approach. He asked that as the City looks at redevelopment of the southwest area, consideration be given to long-established businesses that are vested in the community and have been serving the community for many years. Marco Polo Cortes spoke of the need to create an atmosphere to attract investors to the City and create an identity for the region. He also stated that there is a great need for housing in the southwest area. Frank McPhillips, a resident on Queen Anne Drive between Naples and Palomar, talked about the poor condition of the street, which is full of put holes and culverts and has no sidewalks. He questioned why the street has been neglected for so many years and placed on the bottom of the priority list for street improvements. Mr. McPhillips stated that the residents are only asking for the street to be re-paved and a benn installed to avoid flooding at the east end of the street. Councilmember Rindone asked staff to contact Mr. McPhillips and bring back a report on street repairs on Queen Anne Drive. Page 2 . Council Workshop Minutes http://www.chulavistaca.gov April 6, 2006 Council Workshop (Continued) Taide Pereyra asked why the golf course was granted exceptions and not required to install sidewalks. She requested that the City Attorney investigate possible conflicts of interest of fonner and present Councilmembers, Mayors and engineers with regard to the golf course. She also asked where the tax money collected from residents over the years for street improvements has gone and why the community meeting regarding Alpine Avenue was held outside the neighborhood. She said she believed that the voting process to fonn assessment districts was flawed. She requested infonnation, including land trades and deals, regarding the portion ofland between Moss and Naples, and any future plans to split the area by closing part of Moss Street and making Alpine Avenue a main thoroughfare. Ms. Pereya also talked about the poor condition of her street. She believed that the City did not do a thorough job in using the Caltrans' Safe Streets grant. Russ Hall urged the Council to institute a report on infrastructure needs in order to meet benchmarks for improvements for all infrastructure repairs in the Montgomery area. General Services Director Griffin addressed some of the questions raised by the speakers. Councilmember Castaneda stated that some streets in the southwest portion of the City are not being given the same attention as others, and he suggested applying the analysis of "Would I want my street to look like thisT when examining these areas and consider interim relief of asphalt erosion. He stated that street sweeping and maintenance service routes should offer more attention to those neighborhoods that are without gutters or sidewalks, and the City needs to look at whether or not there exists the need for increased street sweeping services. Counci]member Rindone stated that the development of an inventory list would provide residents the opportunity to see a plan to meet infrastructure needs. He requested that staff look at the most seriously flawed and dilapidated streets and take interim steps to alleviate the problems. General Services Director Griffin responded that staff would work to develop an interim improvement list. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were none. ADJOURNMENT At 8:]] p.m., Councilmember Rindone adjourned the meeting to the Regular Meeting of April ] I, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. ----------- Lorraine Bennett Deputy City Clerk Page 3 - Council Workshop Minutes http://www.chulavistaca.gov April 6, 2006