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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1998/01/13MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA Tuesday, January 13, 1998 6:03 p.m. 1. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: ABSENT: ALSO PRESENT: Council Chambers Public Services Building CALL TO ORDER Councilmembers:Moot, Padilia (arrived at 6:10 p.m.), Rindone, Salas, and Mayor Hotton. Councilmembers: None City Manager, John D. Goss; City Attorney, John M. Kaheny; and City Clerk, Beverly A. Authelet 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, MOMENT OF SILENCE 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: December 9, 1997 MSC (Rindone/Moot) to approve the minutes of 12/9/97. (Padilla absent). Motion carried 4-0-1 4. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY: a. Presentation was made to Stephen Padilla, by Mayor Hotton for his service as Mayor Pro Tem from December 1996 through December 1997. Continued from the meeting of 1/6/98. Presentation was made at the end of the meeting since Councilmember Padilla arrived late. b. Presentation of San Diego Business Journal's Who's Who award to Mayor Horton and Sweetwater Union High School District by Ted Owen, President and Publisher of the San Diego Business Journal. Continued from the meeting of 1/6/98. Item was continued to 2/10/98. c. Presentation of the Connect-ory by the East County Economic Development Council. Item was continued to 2/10/98. CONSENT CALENDAR (Items pulled: 5b, 7, and 8) BALANCE OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR OFFERED BY MAYOR HORTON, headings read, texts waived, passed and approved 5-0. 5. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: a. Letter from the City Attorney stating that to the best of his knowledge from observance of actions taken in Closed Session on 1/6/98, that there were no reportable actions which are required under the Brown Act to be reported. Per staff's recommendation, the letter was received and filed. b. Letter from Tris Hubbard, Member, South Bay Family YMCA Board of Directors, requesting block grant funds to enable the YMCA to retain the Community Child Care Coordinator for a three month period until funding can be obtained through a grant. Per staff's recommendation, if the YMCA cannot obtain funding for the Coordinator position, staff will work with the YMCA to research alternative funding sources. · Tobi Webster, 156 E. Emerson Street, Chula Vista, 91910, requested the item be pulled. She was a child care provider. She stated the Community Child Care Coordinator was a very important position in the community. The funding for the Community Child Care Coordinator runs out at the end of the month. She requested Minutes January 13, 1998 Page 2 that Council approve the funding to extend the position, and study the report that she delivered to Council. · Alma Romero, 881 Oaklawn Avenue, Chula Vista, 91910, representing Hispanic Child Care Providers urged Council to approve funding for this position. c. Letter from Melody Cernitz, Vice President, Friends of the Arts, requesting Council, by resolution, recognize the Friends of the Arts as a Local Arts Agency so that they can receive State and Federal grant funds. Per staff's recommendation, a resolution be scheduled for adoption at a subsequent Council meeting. 6. RESOLUTION 18858 APPROVING MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING CONCERNING WAGES AND OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS, LOCAL 2180, FOR FISCAL YEAR 1997/98 AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Negotiating teams representing the City and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), Local 2180, have reached agreement on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) covering fiscal year 1997/98. The proposed MOU was ratified by the IAFF membership. The cost of the contract is proposed to be appropriated from the unappropriated fund balance of the general fund. Per staff's recommendation, the resolution was approved 5-0. (Dave Byers, Management Chief Negotiator for IAFF) 4/5th's vote required. 7. RESOLUTION 18859 APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH ESTRADA LAND PLANNING, INC. FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR THE MTDB RIGHT-OF-WAY BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE SAID AGREEMENT - Council has approved a concept master plan for the MTDB right-of-way beautification project (CIP-LD-106). In September 1997, the Planning Department issued a Request for Proposal to obtain a qualified landscape architectural firm to provide consultant services. Services are needed to assist in the design, construction plan preparation and other items related to Phase 1 of the beautification project. Per staff's recomendation, the resolution was approved 4-1. (Acting Director of Planning) Councilmember Rindone asked the following questions: 1. Who would be responsible for the estimated $25,000 per year maintenance costs. Garry Williams, Landscape Architect, stated that the responsibility of the maintenance costs would be the City. Councilmember Rindone stated that this was acceptable for the initial stage, but he informed staff there were some potential new monies that MTDB would be receiving for improving the beautification of the line, and we may want to apply for on-going maintenance costs. 2. Was the completion date of March 1999 realistic and when would we begin the development of the planning for Phase 2. Mr. Williams replied that staff was comfortable with that date. However, it was only for the planning; it did not include lighting and other fixtures. The planning for Phase 2 was dependent upon receiving additional funds for Phase 2. At this point, the only funding that we have are funds from MTDB. Councilmember Rindone etated that MTDB is accessing some more TDA funds for future projects, close to $11 million should be available. He asked staff to make contact with MTDB to begin discussion for Phase 2. If we don't, the monies will go to other areas. Item pulled by Councilmember Padilla who asked why didn't we go with the lowest bidder. Minutes January 13, 1998 Page 3 E. Peter d'Ablaing, MTDB, member of the Selection Committee, stated that one of the reasons Estrada Land Planning was selected was because they have worked on previous MTDB projects. They were familiar with MTDB procedures within trolley corridors and were familiar with working with TEA funds which this project has. Based on the questions asked of all of the consultants, it came out that Estrada Land Planning was the most responsible bidder, and that is why they were selected. Councilmember Rindone stated he was familiar with the process that they used in the selection of consultants. Price was an important factor, but it was not the sole factor. He was convinced from staff's report that the most qualified landscape architectural firm has been selected. Unfortunately it was not the lowest, but sometimes the lowest price is not the cheapest. RESOLUTION 18859 OFFERED BY COO~NCILMEMBER RINDONE, heading read, text waived, passed and approved 4-1 (Padilla no). 8. REPORT USE OF THE MELLO-ROOS COMMUNITY FACILITIES ACT OF 1982 TO FINANCE INFRASTRUCTURE Recently, McMillin Otay Ranch and Otay Ranch Development requested the City to initiate proceedings for the establishment of Community Facilities Districts (CFDs), also known as Mello-Roos Districts, pursuant to the "Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982," to finance specific public improvements serving their proposed developments. Staff retained a consultant, Brown, Diven & Hentschke, based on their expertise and experience in working with the City and other agencies as bond counsel to prepare the report on the use of CFDs as a public financing mechanism with the City. The "Mello-Roos Act" requires that as a prerequisite for the use of CFDS, the City shall adopt a "statement of local goals and policies" concerning the use of the Act. Staff recommends Council accept the report and approve the resolution. (Director of Public Works) RESOLUTION 18860 ADOPTING THE CITY'S STATEMENT OF GOALS AND POLICIES REGARDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICTS MSUC (Rorton/Rindone) to continue item to January 20, 1998. 9. REPORT REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE (DIF) AND PARK ACQUISITIONAND DEVELOPMENT (PAD) FEE F~FNDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 - State Government Code Section 66000 requires local agencies assessing DIF fees to make available specified financial data to the public each fiscal year. It also requires that the local agency provide this information to the public for a minimum Of fifteen days prior to reviewing the information at a public meeting. Staff also chose to include for ease of reference and for the convenience of members of the public Parkland Acquisition and Development fees. Local agencies are also required to make findings every five years for any DIF funds remaining unexpended that identify the purpose for the fee and demonstrate a reasonable relationship between the fee and the purpose for which it was charged. This year the City elected to make such findings for any funds remaining unexpended for five or more years. Per staff's recommendation, the resolution was approved 5-0. (Director of Finance and Director of Public Works) RESOLUTION 18861 MAKING FINDINGS THAT THE UNEXPENDED FUNDS IN THE VARIOUS DIF FUNDS ARE STILL NEEDED TO PROVIDE CONSTRUCTION OF FACILITIES FOR WHICH THE FEES WERE COLLECTED * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR * * * ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None Minutes January 13, 1998 Page 4 PUBLIC HEARINGS AND RELATED RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES 10. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A MODIFIED CITY GAMING PLAN, PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 5.20 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, TO ALLOW FOR: (1) FURTHER CONSOLIDATION OF CARDROOM LICENSES TO PERMIT A 24 TABLE CARDROOM; (2) CARDROOM OPERATIONS ON A 24 HOURS A DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR BASIS; (3) ADDITIONAL TYPES OF GAMES; (4) REVISED CARDROOM LICENSE TRANSFER POLICIES; AND (5) RELATEDAMENDMENTS On 2/20/96, Council approved a Gaming Plan which made a number of changes to the City's previous Gaming Ordinance. This was the result of a request made by Harvey Souza of the Village Club Cardroom. The new Gaming Plan allowed additional games to be played subject to certain restrictions. The new Gaming Plan also made modifications to the hours of operation, days of operation, maximum bets, and per table charges. Mr. Souza is now asking for additional changes to the City Ordinance and Gaming Plan. Staff recommended that Council: (A) Deny the request and continue to follow the Gaming Plan instituted in 1996; or (B) Modify the Gaming Plan to include applicant's requested changes. (city Manager and Chief of Police) RESOLUTION 18862 AMENDING THE CITY GAMING PLAN TO INCLUDE A SECURITY ELEMENT AND DENYING REQUEST FOR FURTHER MODIFICATION OF THE CITY GAMING pLAN PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 5.20 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE Richard Emerson, Police Chief, stated that the applicant has asked for eight changes to the current Gaming Plan: 1) permit the playing of all card games permitted by the Division of Gambling Control; 2) consolidate two twelve-table cardroom licenses; 3) waive the provision of the three year card club operation when moving from a Class I to a Class II operation; 4) allow a twenty-four operation versus the current operating hours of closing from 4:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.; 5) increase the number of players from 9 to 11 at each table; 6) not segregate the Class I and Class II tables; 7) have the drinking of intoxicating liquors controlled by the City's land use regulation versus being prohibited by the Gaming Plan; and 8) add a security element to the Gaming Plan. Staff supports adding the security element. Additionally, there was a request from Haig Kelegian to transfer ownership On the other two licenses currently owned by Commerce Casino, changing those into his name and ultimately consolidate to a 24 table cardroom. One of staff's concerns was how does this affect our family- oriented community. At this point in time, the cardroom is viewed by the Police as a "mom and pop" operation that was not creating a criminal problem. Staff believes that we should make the modification to the Gaming Plan as far as the security issues, but leave the operation as it is. Glen Googins, Deputy City Attorney, clarified the basic options as follows: 1) To deny the requested changes and make only those technical changes that staff has developed in order to comply with some State law requirements which were recently adopted. 2) To approve some or all of the substantive modifications. It is staff's recommendation that if Council decided to proceed with some or all of the substantive changes, that approval be done in concept, and direct staff to work out some of the more detailed language that staff would desire to the actual Gaming Plan. The applicant has proposed specific changes which staff would request additional time to review ordinances and jurisdictions with larger cardrooms operations to look more closely at recent affective State regulations which impose certain kinds of regulations and to analyze revenues, security, transfer, land use, etc. to make sure the Council's and Police Chief's concerns might be properly addressed. This being the time and place as advertised, the public hearing was opened. Addressing Council were: · Paul Pfingst, San Diego, District Attorney, stated that throughout the unincorporated areas of the County, cardrooms are illegal, and have been so for a long period of time. In most cities inside the County, cardrooms are illegal. In the areas where cardrooms are legal, it is because they are generally grandfathered in from a time where there were many cardrooms, and city councils have taken the position that to deprive someone of their business would be unfair, so they have grandfathered those businesses to stay within families. Minutes January 13, 1998 Page 5 From time-to-time those cardroom operators who have been grandfathered have made requests to expand the nature of the operation and go from a "mom and pop" operation to large corporate operation. In 1992, the County Police Chiefs and Sheriffs Association were asked to study the matter. They crafted a policy on behalf of County law enforcement expressed in a letter of August 6, 1992 and addressed to Mayor O'Connor discussing the feelings about this issue. He requested that this letter be made a part of the record. There were two issues: 1) traditional law enforcement which includes money laundering, bookmaking, robbery, and various other things that come along with gambling; and 2) the undo influence that large scale gambling can have on elected political officials with the lobbying that takes place. Corporate participation and large scale accommodations present a very real threat to the integrity of the political processes of a community and to the law enforcement community. He was opposed to these consolidations if they present the level of consolidation that poses that risk to a community. He admitted that he had not studied Chula Vista's proposal in depth. Mayor Horton asked him to explain why he would think it was more beneficial to leave the status quo having Harvey Souza own one license for 8 to 12 and having Chula Vista Bay Club, an outside owner, operate a 12 table cardroom versus having combined ownership of 24 tables under one ownership with somebody who has a history of being an outstanding citizen. Why would this be detrimental to our coremunity. Mr. Pfingst responded that the most difficult question presented to city councils is where do you divide lines. Sometimes when a business acquires another business, it doesn't become just the sum assets of both businesses, it can have a significantly greater value to other people who may want to purchase an interest in that Club, and it becomes a much more valuable asset. It also has the capability of doing some other things that the small businesses do not have. One of the capabilities is because there is a large volume of dollars running through the same person, the opportunity for money laundering and other types of things are more present. The other part is, there is a history that corporate ownership presents some very significant problems. This should be explored in great detail. Whenever you vote, these institutions will be back. If you say no, they will still be back. If you say 25, next will be 35, then 45 etc. This is the history of a process of incrementalism. It is a small process by institutional participants who at the time are well known to us and are good positive community members, but this is a long-term decision for the long term effort, and we don't know who will own these licenses in the future. Mayor Horton asked if he had to make the decision to accept our existing ordinance with a known individual who is from the community, raised in the community, and has been a wonderful corporate citizen; and you have permits for another twelve tables from a group who may have questionable ties versus consolidating with Mr. Souza into a known commodity, would you still keep the status quo. Recognizing that we could have the Chula Vista Bay Club come into Chula Vista and operate a cardroom. Mr. Pfingst responded he would keep the status quo. The scaling issue is a much more significant issue in the long run for purposes of the public integrity of the political processes and also for purposes of volumes of money being able to run through any type of gambling institutions. Councilmember Moot stated that there has been some fairly large-scaled gambling on the Indian reservations for some time in San Diego County. What could we do about this type of gambling when it exists in such large scales within such short proximity to Chula Vista. Mr. Pfingst stated that Indian reservations are in federal jurisdiction. Local cardrooms will not be able to compete with the Indian gambling places. The "mom and pop" operations have a different nitch than large-type casinos. The two will never be equal. Minutes January 13, 1998 Page 6 · Mark Jones, 52 "G" Street, Chula Vista, 91910, stated he was "pro" gaming. In response to the question on money laundering and the effect on the Indian tribes, he stated that Indian tribes were extremely sensitive to money laundering. He works at the casino at Sycuan. They track player's actions throughout the day. All the money that is recorded is required by the federal government under Title 31. There is no money laundering in the casino itself. · Tina Marie Whitten, 52 "G" Street, Chula Vista, 91910, stated she was "pro" gaming and was a qualified license holder. She felt the gaming licenses should be available to all citizens, perhaps by a bidding process. Twelve tables were too small of an operation. She felt these licenses were being held to restrict competition. They have also denied the City of potential revenue. She wanted the City Council to make sure all applicants were on equal footing and deny the transfer of the two licenses held by the Commerce Club. She also wanted a gaming license and wanted to know how she could obtain one. Haig Kelegian, 121 Brooks Street, Oceanside, representing Ocean's Eleven Casino Cardroom in Oceanside, stated he took a run-down club that had many problems, moved it to a new location, built a new facility, increased the size of the business, and increased the size of revenues to the City. They have been in operation for a year with twenty-five tables. His was not a corporate entity that Mr. Souza was proposing. Councilmember Salas asked Mr. Kelegian if he would pay $1 million for this license even if the Council did not expand the gambling ordinance. Mr. Kelegian responded yes. · Peter Watry, 81 Second Avenue, Chula Vista, 91910, stated he supported staff's recommendation to deny the request for modification to the City's Gaming Plan. · Rod Davis, 46 Center Street, Chula Vista, 91910, felt that the State was going to put cardrooms in every fair ground that it owns in the State; that bill was already in front of the Legislature. This was not a question of whether you give Mr. Souza and Mr. Kelegian the opportunity to do business and control it locally, its a question of whether you give it to them this year or the State gives it to them next year, and the State makes the million dollars worth of income. He felt this was an opportunity to do something good for the City. If you don't like what the cardroom does, you can pull the license. He felt this did not have anything to do with whether we have 24 tables, but had to do with whether we control it locally or whether the State controls it and takes the money. · Barbara McAlister, 857 Crest Drive, Chula Vista, 91910, spoke against having any change or increase in the gambling activities in the City. B. L. Seaton, 952 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, 91910, stated he was against gambling and strongly recommended that this not be approved. · Michael Green, attorney representing Harvey Souza and the Village Club Cardroom, requested that staff tell the Council that the applicant withdrew its request regarding the so call "monopoly". Mr. Googins stated the request that had been made earlier by Village Cardroom that no further licenses be issued was subsequently withdrawn. However, the proposal would consolidate all the existing issued licenses. There is the potential for the City under its existing Gaming Plan to issue an additional license above the four existing licenses once the population of Chula Vista exceeds 160,000 people. The Gaming Plan was drafted in such a way that the issuance of additional licenses would be at the City Council's discretion. · Dennis Young, 719 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, 91910, stated he has known Mr. Souza for 20 years. He felt that knowing him and his integrity, he would rather have all of the gaming played in this town under his control then have Minutes January 13, 1998 Page 7 another cardroom pop up somewhere else which would increase the problems with law enforcement. · Harvey Souza, 429 Broadway, Chula Vista, 91910, applicant and owner of Village Club Cardroom, expressed he had two issues to bring up: 1) he felt through his application that he was doing what the City wanted to have done for the future which was to hold down the growth of the cardrooms by not allowing the corporate cardrooms to come here. A corporate cardroom explored the possibilities, but they have decided that Chula Vista never did want them. By the consolidation of the cardrooms, it would hold the amount of tables in the town to the level that Council has ratified; and 2) the other issues are requested for the economics of providing a bigger club which would be nicer with all the security that the police department has indicated they wanted. The State has required them as of January 1, 1998 to step up all forms of security and all forms of monitoring whether it be monetary or on-site surveillance. They will be in control of that and the permitting of it, and they will be sending agents out from the State. Some of the things alluded to such as crime, skimming, etc. are basically an integrity issue on an individual. He felt that he has met that in the thirty-five years he has been the owner of the cardroom. Councilmember Moot asked, under the consolidation, who was going to own the club. · Michael Green, attorney representing the applicant, stated that what was going to happen, now that we know that limited liability companies are not permitted to Own card clubs in California, they are going to end up with a limited partnership which Mr. Souza is a general partner. The limited partner would be Mr. Kelegian, and he would have no say by law as a limited partner. If, for some reason, the Commerce Club comes back in the contract, they would also come back in as a limited partner. Not only does Mr. Souza have 51%, he will be the one managing the partnership, and by law limited partners have no right to have input into the management. · Cheryl Cox, 647 Windsor Circle, Chula Vista, 91910, stated the City Council has the authority not only to look at who holds a license, but has the authority to look at the site where that license may be granted. Several years ago, the Council looked at this community as a family-oriented community and an 8 table license when merged with an 8 table license would mean a 12 table license. That happened twice, so that is why we have 12 and 12. The question that Mr. Souza poses is, lets put that math aside because we do have a much larger city and we are looking at a population that could play card games at an institution that holds 24 tables. Mr. Souza will not allow anybody in his cardroom if they are under 21. You can get into an Indian casino if you are 18. Mr. Souza's new location cannot be near churches, schools, or residents. Mr. Souza is in this for his business and to perpetuate 53 years of solid ownership of a business that has been good for Chula Vista, and has not levied the kind of pressure upon its political figures that we might fear should we be looking at institutions of 180- 200 tables. You could get Mr. Souza to sign right now that the 51% ownership of a consolidated license is his 51% ownership and he is in control. He will not be back to ask for any other extension. She asked the Council to allow him to continue his business in a way in which he could provide the kind of supervision which the police chief is concerned about and that we can reward Mr. Pfingst with knowing that in Chula Vista we do it right. There being no one else indicating a desire to address the Council, the public hearing was closed. Mayor Horton stated her first inclination was to support the request from Mr. Souza, because he was an outstanding citizen with an impeccable reputation who gives back to the community and provides funding for our Boys and Girls Clubs and for other social events and services. At first she did not see a problem in consolidating licenses, because we would have the same number of card tables in the community whether we let this one known commodity consolidate the license and have full control of the gambling. History has shown us that he is above board and does not allow the criminal element into his club. However, she was not the educated person in this industry, therefore, she felt she had to go by the advise Minutes January 13, 1998 Page 8 given to her by the Police Chief and the District Attorney. Therefore, she will regretfully support staff's recommendation. Councilmember Padilla stated that the real issue was not about individual ownership or members of the community; the real question was about whether we should change our rules on gaming establishments and the ordinance that we have in Chula Vista. Gaming is a particular type of enterprise that has historically been easy pickings by people who are quite sophisticated at stealing other people's money. The problem with that potential influence is that in most of those cases, it is at a level that frequently the owner was not even aware of what is occurring in their own business. The question before us is what kind of community do we want to be. Although the "mom and pop" operations have a good history, and the applicant has a good personal history, was not the question. The question was what potential risk is the Council going to allow. To move in the direction of being known as a community that has large cardroom establishments was not something he felt was appropriate for Chula Vista. When he campaigned for office, he made it clear at that time that he would not support the expansion of cardrooms or gaming in the City; he still will not. MAYOR HORTON OFFERED RESOLUTION 18862, heading read, text waived. Councilmember Rindone stated he felt that there was no question about Mr. Souza's reputation, and he believed his intention was genuine in efforts of fighting off other people who have made a raid at him to buy his license and sell it off and consolidation. This issue has come before Council at least three times since he has been on the Council. Councils have looked at this issue and have determined that in this community our intent to keep it as a family-owned business and operation and not to expand it. He was willing to continue to have the business that has been operating successfully 53 years continue. Cardrooms are the biggest source of gambling revenue in the State that exceeds horse racing and the lottery. This is a thriving industry, and we don't want this in Chula Vista. He concurred with staffIs recommendation to reject all provisions of the proposal except for the security provision. He would also like to amend this by directing staff to bring back the provision about adding a fifth or more licenses as the population increases. He did not want to see this in the current gaming plan. He wanted to see that we don't have an opportunity to upscale to a fifth license. ~34ENDMENT TO MOTION: MSUC (Rindone/Padilla) to include directing staff to come back to eliminate the provisions for expansion of the nu~3er of licenses based upon population. Council recessed at 7:42 p.m. Council were present. and reconvened at 7:55 p.m. All members Of the 11. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF SEVEN MAJOR AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT - Council previously had work sessions to discuss and develop City-wide priorities. On 9/11/97, Council completed a final review of the priorities and identified the seven major areas of improvement. Council received public comment and input on the proposed seven issues at a public hearing on 10/21/97 and determined that additional public comment was necessary prior to final adoption. Councilmembers have made 13 talks to community groups, and reached out to the community in general for input via phone, mail, fax, and the Internet. In addition, articles have appeared in the local paper and the Quarterly. Per staff's recommendation, Council accepted public testimony on the seven major areas of improvement and continued the public hearing to 1/20/98 at 6:00 p.m. (Budget Manager and Public information Coordinator) This being the time and place as advertised, the public hearing was opened. Addressing Council expressing opposition to SR-125 were: Fred Sams, P. O. Box 214, Bonita, 91908-0214. · Joe Silva, 6566 San Miguel Road, Bonita Minutes January 13, 1998 Page 9 · Gil Oakes, 5631 Watercrest, Bonita, representing Preserve San Diego Bay Allison Rolfe, P. O. Box 7745, San Diego, 92107, representing Southwest Center for Biological Diversity · Marianne Greene, P. O. Box 632974, San Diego, 92103 · E. V. Burley, 6500 San Miguel Road, Bonita John Hammond, 3012 Anderson Street, Bonita, representing Sweetwater Community Planning Group · Kevin Kidd, 5144 Sunnyside Drive Harriet Taylor, 3142 Orchard Hill Road, Bonita, 91902, representing Preserve South Bay John Taylor, 3142 Orchard Hill Road, Bonita, 91902, representing Preserve South Bay · Ramon A. Umzon, 5732 Sweetwater Road, Bonita, 91902 · Patricia Householder, 8475 Aenida Angulia No. 5, Bonita Nancy Gott, 3400 Randy Lane, Chula Vista, 91910, representing Preserve South Bay · Gretchen Burkey, 4807 Del Prado, representing Preserve South Bay Those addressing other issues were: · Marco Cortes, 1196 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, 91911, Chair, Otay Valley Road Project Area Committee and member of the Otay Valley Regional Park Citizens Advisory Committee, expressed that the Otay Valley Road PAC has been receiving some notices from some of the business owners in that area about the traffic congestion with the amphitheater and the Water Park. They will be requesting staff and Council for better traffic management between the Water Park, City, and the Amphitheater. The Regional Park CAC would like to see some of the progress that we have been making there and get more funds allocated through the State and City. Since the incorporation, there have been some significant capital improvements, but he felt there was a need for more CIP projects in the Montgomery area such as a Cultural Arts Center or something that will complement the Regional Park near Main Street; he would like to see this added to the list of priorities. He was supportive of SR-125. If the route does happen, he felt it would diminish the impact of traffic in his community. · Walter Fisher, P. O. Box 3666, Chula Vista, member Of the Otay Valley Road PAC and member of GMOC, felt the top priority should be the economic health and growth of the community in providing jobs for the citizens. Secondly, you have to watch the Otay Ranch project. He has heard that the main flaw in the Otay Ranch plan is the fact it was developed with the idea that you would have one Owner in perpetuity. We no longer have that. He has also heard that the words Otay Ranch Plan and Amendment have now become permanently linked and there is a desire to change the vision that was developed over a number of years. One of the priorities should be to maintain the vision and not let the quality that was built into the project initially be diluted. He felt that SR-125 was beyond Council's scope of stopping, although he agreed it should be. MS (Horton/Rindone) to continue the item to the January 20th meeting. Councilmember Moot stated that one of the presentations not on the list was the one he gave to the Chamber of Commerce. He was disappointed that some of the people who gave input at that presentation did not come to the hearing. One thing that was thrown out that made some sense was that Council ought to consider a process in how the City makes decisions. Several of the people in the Chamber Minutes January 13, 1998 Page 10 said that you can have all these great priorities and goals, but until you change the way business is done in the City, it will be very hard to make any of these priorities a reality. We need to improve the way we make decisions, the quickness with which they are made, and how they are coordinated. We may want to be open to a general notion that we need to actualize these priorities, and we need to put a process in place by which we can let all this work be something other than a nice report. A suggestion was that each councilmember adopt one of these priorities and have it be their responsibility to see that this priority was acted on and followed through. Another suggestion was that as part of the budget process, we have a section in the budget to identify how these priorities are reflected in the budget itself. VOTE ON MOTION: Approved unanimously 5-0. BOARD AND COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS None submitted. ACTION ITEMS 12. REPORT REQUEST FOR ~N ALL-WAY STOP AT THE INTERSECTION OF MIDDEN VISTA DRIVE ~/~D WOODHOUSE AVENUE - In July 1997, staff received a petition asking if a way could be found to discourage traffic from using Hidden Vista Drive as a short cut and requesting all-way stops be installed on Hidden Vista Drive at Woodhouse Avenue and at Windrose Way. Staff recommends Council accept the report and deny the request for an all-way stop. (Director of Public Works) Continued from the meeting of 12/16/97. Addressing Council urging installation of a stop sign at Woodhouse and Hidden Vista Drive were: Daniel Ballez, 521 Woodhouse Avenue, Chula Vista, 91910 Rod Ballard, 516 Chantel Court, Chula Vista, 91910 Leslie Wotdt, 455 Windrose Way, Chula Vista, 91910 Caryn Hoffman, 455 Lawn View Drive, Chula Vista, 91910 Tara Hoffman, 20 Richmond Park Court, Chula Vista, 91910 Bert Urbano, 485 Lawn View Drive, Chula Vista, 91910 Jim Platel, 455 Lawn View Drive, Chula Vista, 91910 Councilmember Padilla stated his comfort level would increase if there was a sign there. Not every intersection that doesn't meet the warrants have both a park and a school. This does, so he felt this was a case where we should support the Safety Commission's recommendation. MSUC (Horton/Padilla) that we install an all-way stop sign at the intersection of Woodhouse Avenue and Hidden Vista Drive. ITEMS PULLED FROM THE CONSENT CA3LENDAR Items 5e, 7, and 8 were pulled. Minutes reflect the published agenda order OTHER BUSINESS 13. CITY ~L~NAGER'S REPORT(S) Scheduling of meetings. · February 5, 1998 at 7:00 p.m., a meeting has been set to meet jointly with the Sweetwater High School District; they want to host it at their Board Room. Minutes January 13, 1998 Page 11 · Thursday, January 22, 1998, at 5:30 p.m. a workshop was planned on the Otay River Valley to be held in the Council Conference Room. Because only two of the five councilmembers were able to attend, the meeting was cancelled. 14. MAYOR'S REPORT(S) Ratification of appointments: Commission On Aging, Susan Carrillo (to fill vacancy created by Commissioner Scrivener, whose term expires June 30, 1999); and Otay Valley Road Project Area Committee, Raul Tellez (to fill vacancy created by Commissioner Doria, whose term expires June 30, 2000). MSUC (Horton/Rindone) to ratify Susan Carrillo to the Commission On Aging. MSUC (Horton/Rindone) to ratify Raul Tellez to the Otay Valley Road PAC. 15. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Padilla Discussion of traffic concerns near Park View Elementary School. Councilmember Padilla recommended that staff should reschedule the meeting with the elementary school board as soon as possible, and he requested that this issue be placed on that agenda. The meeting adjourned at 9:57 p.m. ADJOURNMENT ~. Al~helet, CMC~AAE City Clerk