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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1990/06/21 AN ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA Thursday, June 21, 1990 Council Chambers 6:24 p.m. Public Services Building ROLL CALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Cox; Councilmembers Moon, McCandliss, Nader and Malcolm MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Goss; City Attorney Boogaard; Deputy City Manager Thomson; Community Development Director Salomone (For lack of time, the following items docketed for the City Council meeting of June 19, 1990 were continued to this date for consideration.) Due to the number of people present desiring to address the Council regarding an item on the Council agenda listed as Item\29 a., Mayor Cox suggested dealing with this item first. 29. COUNCIL COMMENTS a. Consideration of Third Avenue problems to include, but not limited to, parking meter fee increase, one hour parking meter limit, feeding the meter regulation, and enforcement. Item was docketed by a unanimous vote on 6-19-90 as an emergency item. /~ Community Development Director Salomone reported that the Town Centre Project Area Committee (PAC) met on this date to deal with this item. The PAC made three recommendations as follows: 1. Recommend to expedite the printing and distribution of the parking brochures and posters and expedite the construction of the Landis and Chumh/Center parking lots. (Mr. Salomone noted the brochures and posters will be available on June 29.) 2. The City Courteft continue the Dime Program until October l, 1990. (Mr. Salomone explained that the Dime Program consists of the enforcing officer, upon first discovering an expired meter, puts in a dime and places a card on the windshield indicating that the rates have increased and their patronage is appreciated.) 3. Request that the Downtown Business Association undertake an analysis of the meter time limits on Third Avenue and give a recommendation to the PAC on the appropriate time limits. The Committee further recommended leaving the current time limits on the parking meters until a report is received from the Downtown Business Association. City Council Minutes -2- June 21, 1990 Councilmember Malcolm noted a concern that the members of the' PAC who were present at the meeting on this date and made the above recommendations do not represent the downtown merchants (only one member present has a business on Third Avenue). Member Malcolm further noted he does not understand how the Dime Policy as recommended by the PAC will previde any additional information; versus changing the metex time limits to two hours. He further suggested not having any true enforcement until directional signage is up and literature is available explaining the situation. People do not realize there is off-street parking. If the Council does not have a problem with changing the time limit on the meters, he believes it should be done. Councilwoman McCandliss commented that what has created the current situation is a difference in the enforeement ofparking. Responding to ques~ons, Director ofFinance Christopher stated that currently with the increased enforcement, there is an average of 150 tickets written each day. Ms. Lou Black, 282 Third Avenue, Chula Vista 92010, pointed out concerns with the aggressive parking enforcement. Regarding the Dime Program, she stated because it will eventually end, it is not an answer to the problem. She suggested two-hour meters are needed as well as positive publicity. Don Swanson, 207 Third Avenue, Chula Vista 92010, stated he at-tended the Downtown Business Association meeting held this week. He noted many issues need to be clarified between the City and the merchants. He believes the merchants need to work through the Downtown Association, list concerns and work with the City. Concerns include need for some businesses to have 2-hour meters; need for police officers to mark tires of cars with chalk; and employees need to use off-street parking. Councilman Malcolm questioned Mr. Swanson regarding the Downtown Association meeting held this week. He questioned if there was a specific recommendation coming from that group. Mr. Swanson stated that a consensus still needs to be reached as to the best solution to the parking issues. He funher stated it is his personal opinion that the City stay with the Dime Program until a solution can be reached that is more equitable to all the merchants. He would like to see the Downtown Association come direc~y before the Council versus going through the Project Area Committee; he does not see a need for the PAC. Mayor Cox clarified that the Town Centre Project Area Committee is an advisory body to the Re. development Agency. Their duties and responsibilities go beyond the downtown area, including the Chula Vista Shopping Center and other isolated parcels brought into the Redevelopment District. Their recommendations come to the Agency for consideration. At this time there are currently three vacancies on the PAC. Martin Altbaum, 255 Third Avenue, Chula Vista 92010, presented pictures of 17 business that have ceased operations in the last few months. He has not been aware of the PAC and noted concern that the members are not representative of Third Avenue. Using his own funds, along with Mr. David Rossi from King's Jewelers, he sent out 304 surveys to businesses on Third Avenue. Forty of the surveys were returned because the businesses have gone out of business. City Council Minutes -3- June 21, 1990. He received 82 responses, but as yet has been unable to tally the responses. Mr. Altbaum reported that at the Downtown Business Association meeting of Tuesday, June 19, 56 people attended and all voted to ask for a 90-day moratorium on the police enforcement. They would ~ like the police to stop giving tickets on Third Avenue for 90 days. Mr. Altbaum stated that merchants are vulnerable at this time because of the economic conditions. If police officers are placed on Third Avenue and write 150 tickets a day, the City is accelerating the deeline of Third Avenue. Councilman Malcolm asked if the situation was acceptable that existed prior to the two new parking enforcement officers began. Mr. Althaum stated that yes it was acceptable because: only approximately 10-15 tickets were written each day. Mayor Cox stated the Council has been aggressively working over the last couple of years to ac~luire additional parcels to provide off-street parking. A significant amount of capital expenditure has occurred in improving and acquiring the lots. This has been done in an effort to address the increasing parking needs of downtown. He pointed out the reason for having. parking meters on Third Avenue for the one-hour time period is to ensure turn-over. Mayor Cox suggested developing a program for the merchants on Third Avenue where the merchants could purchase tokens for the off-street parking lots to encourage use of those lots. Mr~ Altbaum stated this is what he would like to see happen. Helene Bump, 231 Third Avenue, Suite C, Chula Vista 92010, stated she was representing five businesses. She noted concern with the irregularities of the parking meters. The meters are not accurate; there should be some way of controlling the time on the meters so that it is accurate. Ms. Bump further stated there is a need for handicapped parking; there is no existing handicapped parking spaces on Third Avenue. She also questioned why Third Avenue is the only area in the City with parking meters. Mayor Cox responded that the reason that there is a parking district in the downtown area is because in other areas of the City there are requirements that the businesses provide parking spaces. On Third Avenue, because of the special status it has had, the parking district was created to allow stores to be built up to 85% of the building site without requiring any on or off- street parking whatsoever. New construction in downtown is allowed to pay an in-lieu parking fee which is used to help in the acquisition of additional parking lots. The reason the area is handled differently is because it has been allowed to develop at a much higher density than would have been allowed if the property owners had provided the parking that would have been required. Michael Steiner, 538 Berland Way, Chula Vista 92010, stated he also attended the Downtown Association meeting and it was a unanimous vote of the 56 people present to have a 90.day moratorium. He noted concern that the four votes of the PAC on this date overrides the vote of 56 people. He pointed out that those who are most affected by the decisions of the Council with regard to Third Avenue are the ones who were communicated with the least. He noted~ concern with the recent negative articles in the newspaper that highlighted the parking problems on Third Avenue which encourages people to stay away from the downtown area. He asked the City Council Minutes -4- June 21, 1990 Council to supply the Third Avenue businesses with information. As a business owner, he is desirous of more direct input to the Council. Councilman Moore stated he has been attending the Downtown Association meetings for 13 years. The Downtown Association receives all information. There is one or two City staff members that attend the meetings. Mr. Dana Birch, 400 Third Avenue, Chula Vista 92010, suggested that enforcement not be reduced. He receives continuous complaints from his customers about la~k of parking. He is aware of a problem of people "feeding the meters". His business has benefitted from the enforcement. He noted there is a major problem; some merchants need short-term, rapid access and turn-over, and others need longer term. He suggested a mix of parking meters. If two-hour meters are selected, he requested tire chalkinS be initiated. He also asked that the anti-meter feeding regulation not be repealed. More signage is needed directing people to off-street parking. Regarding the handicapped issue, he asked that spaces not be provided. His business serves many handicapped individuals and they are usually brought downtown by friends or relatives. Jesus Sanchez, 333 Third Avenue, Chula Vista 92010, expressed concern with the bad attitude of the parking enforcement officers. He also expressed concern with the increase of fees for the parking meters and increase in enforcement. He pointed out that these factors are hurting his business and he is concerned that his business will not survive. He is in favor of the 90-day moratorium. Jack Blakely, 291 Third Avenue, Chula Vista 92010, stated that as a merchant he is not in favor of 2-hour parking for Third Avenue. As a member of the Downtown Business Association, he attended the PAC meeting on this date and presented the recommendation of a 90-day moratorium. Mr. Blakely wanted to point out that there are four other members of the PAC (not present at this morning's meeting) who are representative of downtown. He took a consensus of his block and out of 32 businesses, 19 stated their customers required more than one hour to complete their business and 13 businesses required under one hour. Responding to questions of Councilman Malcolm, Mr. Blakely stated he believes the Council has taken the right step by implementing the Dime Program. He suggested putting in a quarter instead of a dime giving patrons an extra 50 minutes. David R. Bump, 231 Third Avenue, Suite C, Chula Vista 92010, stated there is a problem with parking enforcement and noted a concern with the one-hour parking. He stated there is a need for the 90-day moratorium in order to allow time for people to get together and come up with solutions. He recommended split meters (short term and long term). Danny Woodend, 534 Madrona Street, Chula Vista 92010, commented that he believes the City needs to work on public relations regarding this matter. Signage needs to be addressed. The City needs to determine if they want to keep the small town feeling of downtown. City Council Minutes -5- hne 21, 1990 Briant Toogood, 310 Third Avenue, Chula Vista 92010, commented he has no concerns with regard to the parking issue. The increased enforcement has helped his business. However, regarding the other businesses on Third Avenue, he believes that the parking enforcement was implemented too hard, too fast. He suggested the following: a better job of public relations; validation stickers could be issued to the merchants; signs n__,~_ to be placed immediately on the meters stating that the meters are enforced and directing patrons to longer term parking behind the shops; a period of time could be allowed where no tickets are given. Sharon Carmody, 236-B Third Avenue, Chula Vista 92010, stated she was representing several~ businesses including Classic Tans, Mary's Nest, Third Ave. Market Place, Medical Weight Control Specialists, Chez Miche, Nu Nail and Picassas. They are all in favor of the moratorium. They artended the Downtown Business Association meeting this week and were. told that the Association basically handles promotion for Third Avenue and that the appropriate body to go to with their concerns was the PAC. At the PAC meeting, they were told to address the Downtown Association. She noted frustration of where to go to address this issue. Ms. Carmody further noted there has not been a response to letters previously presented to the City Council. She stated signage directing people to parking areas is needed. Mayor Cox commented that downtown Chula Vista is one of the better redevelopment areas in the State of California. The efforts of the City Council and the Redevelopment Agency over the last couple of years of putting major capital improvements into Third Avenue (parking specifically) has been extraordinary. The efforts to increase the parking meter fees were long over due. While there is some concern about the $.30 per hour meter fee, that does not appear to be the overriding concern. The overriding concern is the fact that after a long period of a lack of parking enforcement, there is now very rigid enforcement. The City needs to do a better job of informing people (merchants and patrons). The cards that are being prepared to identify the parking lots is a step in the right direction. Direction has been given that on an annual basis a report will be prepared that will go to all of the property owners within the Redevelopmerit District. Mayor Cox further commented the City has tried to address a portion of the concern raised by providing a "Courtesy Ticket", which is a 20 minute forbearance. He does not have a problem with going along with the recommendations of the Project Area Committee. He does have a problem of taking the position of no enforcement whatsoever. Unfortunately, there is a situation where no two businesses' needs are going to be alike. He would like reports to come back to Council very quickly on the issue of signage. He suggested that the idea of developing a "token" may work out better than a parking "permit". The question of handicapped parking spaces is an issue that should be re-visited. There may be a need to have variable meter times on Third Avenue. There are some creative things that can be done to begin to address the issues brought up at this meeting. However, it would not be prudent to have a moratorium. Councilman Moore suggested changing the "Dime Program" to a "Quarter Program" thereby allowing patrons an additional 50 minutes. He suggested the merchants go through the Downtown Business Association and provide their input. He suggested the following issues be addressed: time on street meters, public relations, communications, improvement program, City Counc'~ Minutes -6- June 21, 1990 signage (where, type and size), loading in alleys, handicap parking, whether or not meters need to be changed, quarter token for off-street parking only. Councilman Nader commented it is important to take immediate action to alleviate the situation. He commented that changing the "Dime Program" to a "Quarter Program" may be a temporary solution. He also has a concern with a total moratorium of parking enforcement. He suggested that during the ninety day period a quarter be inserted in meters in lieu of a parking citation, thereby allowing another 50 minutes. During the 90-day period, he would like direction to be given to report back on how much of the avenue and at what locations would it be appropriate to go to two-hour meters, and what kind of program would be appropriate for merchant permits or tokens that would allow those businesses that have a need for customers to stay longer to meet that need. He agrees with the need for signage and public relations. Councilwoman McCandliss stated she concurs with increasing the dime program to a quarter; however, she would want to set a time period for this to come back. If this does not achieve and allow the relief that is needed, then she would be willing to give a moratorium period. It is important to recognize that an atmosphere has been created; it is necessary to convince the public to come back to Third Avenue and not feel at risk. Regarding the aggressiveness of the enforcement, the attitude of the person writing the ticket has been a particular problem. This needs to be addressed in-house. There needs to be signs directing people to the off-street meters; people need to be informed that there are longer term meters with a difference in People need to be able to drive down the street, look at a meter and know if it is a one-hour, two-hour, or longer term meter. People still do not understand that it is illegal to "feed the meter". Councilman Malcolm commented that there is no easy solution. He does not feel that the dime program or raising it to a quarter is the answer, because it takes away the incentive for patrons to put any money in the meter. He believes there are places on Third Avenue for variable meters; more signage is needed. He would like to roll back the clock to the way things were and allow the merchants to have time to develop recommendations to solve the problem (less aggressive enforcement). He believes that the idea of tokens is a good idea. Councilman Nader commented that he agreed with Councilman Malcolm's comments. He is in favor of reducing enforcement as opposed to eliminating it; allowing meter feeding for a 90-day period. This would address the concern that some relief be given during the 90-day period. MOTION MS (McCandliss/Moore) direct staff to lighten the parking enforcement; institute a $.25 contribution to the meters; continue moving forward with the signage and posting of parking areas as well as an identifier for the parking meters; allow ninety days for the City and the business community to work towards a long term solution. Director of Public Safety Winters asked for a clarification of the area which is to have lighter enforcement. Mayor Cox stated it is the entire parking district. City Council Minutes -7- June 21, 1990 Councilman Malcolm noted a concern with the motion because it encourages people to not put money in the meters. The problem is that there needs to be a turnover of cars in the parking spaces on Third Avenue; under this motion it is possible to park on Third Avenue all day and never put in a dime (move from space to space). He would like to see only one parking enforcement officer for the entire parking district. Councilman Nader stated this is an interim measure and there is a need to have a solution in place well before the expiration of this period. He suggested having a report come back in 60' days. Councilwoman McCandliss agreed to include this in her motion. VOTE ON THE MOTION The motion passed. The vote was 4-1; Councilman Malcolm opposed. MOTION MS (Nader/McCandliss) direct staff as well as the Project Area Committee, Downtown Association, and individual merchants to come back to the City Council with specific recommendations for a program of merchant permits, validation, tokens, or some mechanism that would allow merchants to provide parking for paying customers. Councilman Moore stated that there are a number of items that he would like to see the Downtown Association review including tokens, handicap parking, loading in alleys, signage, public relations, communications, meter times, etc. Mayor Cox stated he would like to include in the motion that the Downtown Business Association and merchants discuss ideas they might have regarding providing better information to them through newsletters or other means. Councilman Nader was agreeable to including this in his motion. VOTE ON THE MOTION The motion passed unanimously. Director of Public Safety Winters asked for clarification regarding which meters should be included in the $.25 program. Councilwoman McCandliss responded the Third Avenue one-hour meters are to be included, however, the whole district will benefit from lighter enforcement. **The City Council recessed at 7:05 p.m. to reconvene as the Redevelopment Agency. The City Council reconvened at 7:25 p.m. All members were present.** City Council Minutes -8- June 21, 1990 11. RESOLUTION 15682 APPROVING ANNEXATION OF THE AREA KNOWN AS EASTLAKE H - EASTLAKE GREENS AND THE OLYMPIC TRAINING CENTER TO THE EXISTING EASTLAKE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NUMBER ONE F~tLake Development Company requested that the City undertake proceedings to annex their proposed developments known as Eastt~ke lI ~tI~l~e Greens and the Olympic Training Center into the existing Eastlalce Maintenance District No. 2. Staff recommended approval of the Resolution. RESOLUTION OFFERF. f} BY COUNCILMAN MALCOLM, the reading 9f the text was waived by unanimous consent, passed and was approved unanimously. 27. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT(S) a. Scheduling of Meetings - No comments. 28. MAYOR'S REPORT(S) a. AB 939 - Request to consider any and all aspects of Assembly Bill 939 including, but not limited to, the formation of for the purpose of discussing the scope and mission of said task force. RESOLUTION 15693 ESTABLISHING AB 939 INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT TASK FORCE RESOLUTION OFFERED BY MAYOR COX, the reading of the text was waived by unanimous consent, passed and was approved. (The vote was 4-0; Member Malcolm was not present for the vote.) MSC (Cox/Nader) designate Councilman Nader as second alternate to SANDAG. (The vote was 4-0; Councilman Malcolm was not present for the vote.) 29. COUNCIL COMMENTS b. Councilman Nader: Direct legislative advocate to seek legislation to ease restrictions of enforcement of radar on a safety basis versus a speed basis MQTIQN MSC (Nader/Moore) direct legislative advocate to seek legislation amending the Vehicle Code to permit cities to set a speed limit based on safety considerations and to have that speed limit enforceable by radar. (The vote was 4-0; Councilman Malcolm was not present for the vote.) 15'973 City Council Minutes -9- June 21, 1990 c. Councilwoman McCandliss Councilwoman McCandliss commented that at the Council meeting of June 19, when the Council voted to put a stop sign on Hilltop, a three-month trial period was included. She wanted to point out that this time period will not take the stop sign into the new school year with the high school. The Council may want to extend the trial period to allow the impact of the high school~ and Jr. High being in session. Deliberate on all aspects of instituting an early-age street use and safety program including vehicle operation, vehicle rules and traffic safety, including requesting a staff report regarding the advisability and cost of instituting same. Councilwoman McCandliss requested that this item be continued to the next Council meeting. Request that the Council deliberate on a policy of providing notice of site specific decisions by methods including posting signs on the project site. /~'~5 Ms. McCandliss presented a picture of a sign (4' x 6') that is used by the City of Vancouver. The sign is posted on properties that are being rezoned, or on properties that will have a land use change. Since the City is currently undemldng a study to look at noticing, she referred this idea to staff for consideration. MOTION MSC (McCandliss/Nader) refer this matter to staff to get more information and include in their consideration of noticing issues, (The vote was 4.0; Councilman Malcolm was not present for the vote.) Councilwoman McCandliss further noted she received a call from a citizen who received a parking ticket based on Section 1052.110 (Parking for Sale, Advertising, or Demonstration Purposes Prohibited). The citizen parked his car on his own property and had a sign for sale on it and was given a ticket. This Code Section may be causing some interpretation problems that she would like to have looked at. MOTION MSC (McCandliss/Moore) to refer this matter to staff for review. (The vote was 4-0;. Councilman Malcolm was not present for the vote.) The City Council adjourned to closed session immediately following the meeting to discuss: Possible issuance of Cable Television Franchise to Jones Intercable justified on the basis of Pending Litigation and Property Disposition pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) and 54956.8. Pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) - Calderon vs. the City of Chula Vista, et. al. City Council Minutes -10- June 21, 1990 Instruction to negotiators regarding potential sale of property pursuant to Government Code Section 549565.8 southeast comer of Fifth Avenue and 'C' Streets (City of Chula Vista, owner). Instruction to negotiators regarding compensation for represented and unrepresented employees (or both) pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 ADJOURNMENT at 7:40 p.m. to Tuesday, luly 10, 1990. Sandra Chase, Recording Secretary