HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1987/04/30 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA
April 30, 1987 Council Conference Room
7:00 p.m. Public Services Building
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilmembers Nader, Moore, McCandliss,
Malcolm
MEMBERS ABSENT: Mayor Cox
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Goss, Assistant City Manager
Asmus, Assistant City Attorney Rudolf
In the absence of Mayor Cox, Mayor pro Tempore Moore presided over
the meeting.
1. REPORT LIBRARY MASTER PLAN (Library Director)
Library Director Lane introduced and noted the backgrounds of the
two consultants who worked on the report: Mr. Richard Waters of
HBW Associates, Inc. and Michael Feerer of Michael Feerer &
Associates.
Mr. Waters presented the report to the Council explaining that the
purpose of the study was to answer the following question: what
is the most appropriate cost-effective long term strategy for
public library facilities to respond to Chula Vista's rapid growth
in population and area. The purpose of the study is to provide
general direction and guidelines for the City Council and to offer
recommendations the consultants feel are pertinent and important
to the City. The final decision is up to the City Council.
Mr. Waters offered the following in his testimony:
Public libraries are one of the most, if not the most
important institution government can offer its people.
Chula Vista is the busiest Library on the West Coast and
the second busiest in the State of California.
The Library provides information to all people and the
facility needs to fit that need.
They are not recommending at this time that Chula Vista
have shared Library facilities.
Minutes 2 - April 30, 1987
Council Conference
Chula Vista's regional use of Library services will
continue to increase even without population growth.
Significant use of the Public Library by non-residents
will continue to occur due to the lower levels of Library
services offered by neighboring cities.
The recommendation is for a Library space of .8 gross
square feet per resident (Chula Vista now has 4.2) and
for this to happen, Chula Vista will need three
additional libraries. One should be located in the
Montgomery/Otay planning area the second in the
Sweetwater/Bonita planning area and the third in the
Eastern territories.
- The cost of constructing a new facility will have to take
in planning, design, construction, furnishings and
equipment.
- For the two large libraries, they are proposing an
allocation of $500,000 and for the Eastern territories
facility, they are recommending $300,000.
The total capital cost of new facilities would be
approximately $15,351,000. If this went over a 20 year
bond cycle, the annual cost per Chula Vista resident
would be $4.30.
Mr. Waters then briefly discussed interim actions applying to the
main Library on "F" Street such as: repositioning the book stacks
in the lower level storage room; adding three professional
librarian positions; adding five shelvers; increasing the annual
operating budget to accommodate the additional personnel;
restriping the existing parking lot and reducing the landscape
islands.
In answer to Councilman Nader's question, Director of Planning
Krempl stated the projected population growth figures in the study
come from Series 6 of SANDAG. He stated the figures quoted for
the Bonita/Sweetwater area encompass EastLake and Rancho del Rey
which is responsible for the large projected population figure.
Councilman Malcolm stated he is not in agreement with constructing
branch libraries. People look for quality in their facilities.
He added that the projected population figures quoted haven't even
come near the reality of what the population is today in the
City. He questioned Mr. Waters as to why not recommending a
cooperation venture with Southwestern College to expand that
Library and make it a quality Library. The students there could
have the advantage of having an adequate facility and the people
in Chula Vista could continue to have their quality Library.
Minutes - 3 - April 30, 1987
Council Conference
Mr. Waters stated he discussed this with the representatives of
Southwestern College; however, he does not believe that the
Library located where it is on that campus would be an attraction
to non-students. They would not want to walk to that Library,
especially after dark and particularly children. However, if a
new Library were to be located on the corner of the campus easily
available to all people that would be a different aspect.
Councilman Malcolm noted that the original figure of the present
Library was to serve a population of 150,000 people. Mr. Waters
responded that the reason this Library is overcrowded now is
because it serves beyond the City limits - this trend will
continue (drawing from the Sphere of Influence).
Director Lane stated it has never been her position to necessarily
serve everyone in this area; however, it would be economically
foolish not to serve them because of the $23,000 fund received
from the State Library every year.
In answer to Councilman Moore's query, Mr. Waters stated that if
only one large facility was to be built, he would recommend it be
built east of 1-805.
City Manager Goss noted that EastLake has a commitment to provide
a storefront Library and they have donated land for a large
Library.
Director Krempl concurred that EastLake is providing land for a
Library and a site for a storefront branch (interim use). It is
being done in conjunction with the General Plan.
Councilman Malcolm stated he has no problem with the consultant's
recommendations; however, he is leaning more toward their concept
to do one nice job rather than three martial things. He added
that generally, people do not approve bonds. If the City is going
to go to a bond issue, they need to present a type of facility
that can sell the people.
MSUC (Malcolm/Nader) to accept the staff recommendations to accept
the report and refer to the Montgomery Planning Committee and the
Planning Commission and approve the concept of .5 to .7 square
feet as an adequate planning standard for future Library services
in the City of Chula Vista.
City Manager Goss recommended that if the City builds another
library (or two), that each be done "in a different flavor."
Sue Miller, Chairman of the Library Board of Trustees, stated the
Board is in concurrence to keep the same level of service and
quality of the Library. People throughout the State recognize
Chula Vista for its beautiful Library and people are willing to
drive to meet their needs.
Minutes - 4 - April 30, 1987
Council Conference
2. REPORT SOCIAL SERVICES PLAN (Community Development
Director)
Assistant Community Development Director Gustafson presented the
report on the Social Services Plan and introduced Irene Saper,
Consultant who did the actual study.
Jim LoBue, Community Development Specialist, discussed the
steering committee which was formed and the three different
surveys conducted prior to presentation of this report.
Ms. Saper noted the following in preparing her report:
1. The rapidly growing population east of 1-805, noting it is a
"vunerable" population.
2. The demographic distinctions among the central, southern and
eastern parts of the City.
3. The many non-speaking residents.
4. The many very young and very old residents.
5. The many low-income people in the central and southern parts
of the City.
6. The many adult residents with less than high school education.
The following recommendations were presented by Ms. Saper and
responded to by Assistant Director Gustafson:
1) That the City continue using CDBG funds to assist the
operating expenses of social service agencies, but that
the application process be improved by a number of
procedures such as:
a pre-announcing priority areas for funding
b holding pre-submission conferences for prospective
applicants
c encouraging applications from pilot projects in need
of seed money but unlikely to need continuing
support.
Response: This recommendation would appear to be an
improvement to the CDBG Social Service Funding Process.
The pre-announced priorities for funding would logically
be the priorities in this report (as possibly modified by
the Council). The pre-submission conferences would
involve additional staff time initially, but should save
processing staff time overall as the quality of
submissions are improved. Pilot projects would have to
be analyzed for their balance of new contribution and
fiscal and organizational soundness.
Minutes - 5 - April 30, 1987
Council Conference
2) That the City consider funding the capital facility needs
of social service agencies; it was seen to be
particularly appropriate to support the development of
multi-service centers, where various services could be
provided at the same location.
Response: This recommendation bears further evaluation
and should be looked at during the budget approval
process. CDBG funds used for capital facilities in
support of social services would not be subject to the
regulatory maximum of 15% of the CDBG grant for social
services. Committing more than 15% of the grant amount
to social service pursuits would diminish the CDBG fund
historically made available for infrastructure capital
improvements. The ramifications of this potential change
should be looked at carefully.
3) That the City recognize the highest priority human care
needs of the community, as expressed in surveys and borne
out by demographic data and information provided by
social service providers, with the top three priority
need areas being substance abuse, child care/latchkey
needs, and child/spousal abuse.
Response: The priority recommendations of the plan are a
compilation of the results of the three survey types and
of demographic data. It should be recognized that the
different survey groups may have different sensitivities
to the various social service needs, and therefore,
different priorities. Also, the public survey results
indicate different priorities for different geographical
response areas. Therefore, the priorities recommended
should be viewed as general city-wide priorities, and it
should not be overlooked, for instance, that localized
problems or service-provider perceived problems, such as
the homeless population in the downtown area, may be
quite acute, if not readily apparent to the population at
large.
Councilwoman McCandliss stated she supports this recommendation,
recognizing the human care needs, especially the priority for the
substance abuse.
4) That the City recognize the greater need for development
of social service programs in South Chula Vista, relative
to the rest of the City, and consider either supporting
and emphasizing the development of programs at
multi-service centers at existing centers, (i.e.
Lauderbach, Otay, Woodlawn Park Community Centers), which
are currently not being used to their full potential, or
the development of a strategically placed, new
multi-service center in the southern portion of the City;
Minutes 6 April 30, 1987
Council Conference
Response: This recommendation is supported with the
response that the issue be further explored and evaluated
with the participation of the Director of Parks and
Recreation.
5) That the City recognize the need for further provision of
senior programs at existing service centers;
Response: This recommendation is supported.
6) That a volunteer group be established to act on the
findings and recommendations of the Plan and to advise
the City on the social service and human care concerns of
Chula Vista, with some of the future activities of this
group to include:
a) facilitation of networking and coordination of
activities among various social service agencies,
public bodies, school districts and interested
persons to address unmet needs and more efficiently
operate existing programs;
b) development and coordination of a local volunteer
network which could be used by the City, school
districts and various civic groups and social
service agencies to address local human care needs;
c) provision of planning and advisory services to the
City.
Response: The development of a vehicle for networking
and coordination is desirable and supported. It should
be recognized that both the Human Relations Commission
and the Commission on Aging already have responsibilities
entailed in this recommendation and that the County of
San Diego might appropriately take a stronger role in
this task. It appears important that whatever
networking/coordinating/advising entity is established
should be in the nature of a community task force drawing
on all resources, rather than a City commission.
Councilwoman McCandliss referred to the Human Relations Commission
as being part of this task force.
Ms. Saper stated she would recommend it be more of a community
group, particularly one in coordination with the school districts.
Councilman Nader indicated he hopes that the Youth Commission will
be involved in this also.
Minutes 7 April 30, 1987
Council Conference
7) That the City develop a staff position responsible for
keeping the City informed on social service issues and
working in coordination with the volunteer group
recommended in item #6 above; the position could evolve
from the existing Human Services Coordinator position
currently placed at the Senior Information and Referral
Center, or as a new position placed under the direction
of the City Manager.
Response: The intent of this recommendation is good, but
it bears further evaluation as to where this function and
responsibility might most appropriately lie. It is
recommended that the resources of the County and of the
entity envisioned in recommendation number six be
explored prior to consideration of City staff
participation.
Councilman Moore stated that he recognizes the need for social
services; however, the money should come from those who supply the
need such as State/Federal government.
Ms. Saper stated she is in total concurrence.
Mrs. Margaret Helton, 161 Mankato Street, Chula Vista, member of
the Human Relations Commission and the Commission on Aging, stated
that the City does not need a coordinator what is needed is a
Social Service Planner someone who knows where to go to get all
the grant money to operate this service. Mrs. Helton noted the
charge of the Human Relations Commission stating it has nothing to
do whatsoever with the social services issue discussed today.
Assistant Director Gustafson stated that if a Social Service
Planner is to be adopted for Chula Vista, there would have to be a
public hearing held on this.
In answer to Councilman Nader's question, Ms. Saper stated that
the plan as presented tonight is the first step toward a Social
Services Plan. The next step is the Plan itself. In her summary,
she listed all the agencies who deal with social services in this
area and recommended that one of the duties of the Task Force be
to continually update this list.
MSUC (McCandliss/Nader) to accept the report (adopt the Social
Services Plan as the guiding Plan for the City) and the
recommendations and set the plan for a public hearing.
Assistant Director Gustafson stated that the public hearing will
have to be held sometime after the budget is approved for the
Community Block Grant Funds.
Mrs. Helton asked if there was some way that the Chula Vista
Star-News could give articles such as this more media coverage.
Minutes - 8 - April 30, 1987
Council Conference
' 3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None.
4. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT None.
5. MAYOR'S REPORT None.
6. COUNCIL COMMENTS
a. Councilwoman McCandliss discussed the operation of the
Teleguide which was, at one time, in the Library. She said
she likes this concept whereby the people could key in and
find out Commission/Committee/Council activities and agenda.
She would like to see more staff thought on instituting this
and asked that it be placed as an agenda item for the meeting
of Tuesday, May 5.
Deputy City Manager Thomson discussed the technologies
involved in this sort of program noting it would be difficult
for the City at this time to put in such a sophisticated
system.
b. Councilman Moore discussed the Council direction regarding the
Local Transportation ballot measure. Of the $35 million for
road improvements, the report states that Chula Vista is
spending $5 to $7 million all on the west side of Third
._ Avenue. This came out in SANDAG's five year plan and he would
like a status report on that. He asked that the City Manager
update this report so that Council can see it and have it
mailed to the same people that SANDAG mailed their report to.
c. Councilman Moore asked that an item be placed on the May 5
agenda for the location of the City medallion. The 75th
Anniversary Committee recommended that the medallion they
donated to the City be placed at the Interpretive Center;
however, Councilman Moore is suggesting that the City purchase
either one or two other medallions suggesting one be placed in
the Library and the other in the Council Chamber.
d. Councilman Nader asked for an item to be placed on the May 5
agenda which will be the discussion of an ordinance for
on-shore facilities as it relates to off-shore oil.
ADJOURNMENT AT 9:15 p.m. to the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May
5,.4987 at 4 p.m.
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City Clerk
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