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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1991/01/24 MINLrrES OF A REGULAR (COUNCIL CONFERENCE) MEETING OF THE CITY OF CHIJLA VISTA Thursday, January 24, 1991 Council Conference Room 4:05 p.m. Administration Building CALL TO ORDER 1. ROIL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmembers Nader, Rindone, and Mayor Pro Tempore Moore Councilman Malcolm arrived at 4:18 p.m. and left at 4:37 p.m. ALSO PRESENT: John D. Goss, City Manager; Bruce M. Boogaard, City Attorney; and Vicki C. Soderquist, Deputy City Clerk BUSINESS COUNCIL GOAL-SETrING DISCUSSION 2A. DISCUSSION OF ROHR PARK TREES - Continued from 1/22/90 meeting. /'~ ~,~ City Attorney Boogaard stated the item should have been on the agenda but because it was a continued item from an Adjourned Meeting held within five days, Council could deliberate and take action if necessary. Jess Valenzuela, Director of Parks and Recreation, informed Council that a representative from Kirchnavy Construction, Carl Casmer, was in attendance to answer any questions from the Council. He then reviewed the concerns raised by staff if the project were to be continued for three weeks, as estimated by the Landscape Architect, to review alternatives. The estimated cost per work day by the contractor is $9,500. He expressed concern over the possible repercussions the delay could cause with the 1984 Competitive Grant and the upcoming 1991 Competitive Grant. If the project is redesigned, it would have to be resubmitted to the State for review with the turn around time of six to seven weeks. Alternatives would be to rebid the project or work with the existing contractor in the field with change orders. Councilman Malcolm questioned whether Mr. Smith had been contacted regarding the meeting being held tonight. Mr. Valenzuela responded that staff had not advised him of the meeting. Councilman Malcolm felt that Mr. Smith's proposal should be reviewed to see if there could be a savings to the City along with the ability to save the trees. The citizens involved understood that if the proposal could not be reviewed or the project changed without substantial penalties to the City, or the State grants jeopardized, the project would go forward as originally approved. He had hoped that the review of Mr. Smith's proposal could bring forth a win/win situation for everyone. He further expressed his concern over the lack of notification of interested parties. City Manager Goss responded that it was staffs intent to give Council an update as requested at the meeting of 1/22/91. Conclusions had not been made by staff as new information was being presented tonight. It was not staffs intent to have Council take action without public information and participation. The meeting recessed at 4:37 p.m. and reconvened at 4:40 p.m. with Councilman Malcolm absent. Minutes January 24, 1991 Page 2 Councilman Rindone felt there was a great deal of review necessary and option to explore and requested that the item be continued to Tuesday, January 29, 1991 at 4:00 p.m. He further requested that Dave Smith be notified of the meeting date and time. City Manager Goss stated he would request that the conFactor verify and give a breakdown of the $9,500/day cost, have the Landscape Architect clarify the work that needed to be done resulting in a three week delay, the impacts on the 1984 Competitive grant, and the time lines involved in the delay and possible re-submittal of the project. Mayor Pro Tempore Moore requested that the report back to Council include the cost of importing soil, how long the parking lot would be tom up, the number of wet days, new RFP process, and time line. Councilman Rindone expressed his concern over possible jeopardy of the 1984 Competitive grant and implored staff to bring back a comprehensive report. He felt all Councilmembers should come to the meeting prepared to make a decision. Councilman Nader felt Councilman Malcolm was trying to obtain a win/win situation and requested that staff call upon him for his expertise. 2. INTRODUCTION AND DISCUSSION OF DESIRED RESULTS OF MEETING City Manager Goss stated there were 168 items on the major projects list. Staff did not feel it realistic to prioritize all 168 items, but requested that Council review the list to see if there were projects that needed to be added or deleted, those needing more or less emphasis, and those Council wanted to have updates on a regular basis. /qq73 3. VISIONS OF THE DESIRED FUTURE CHIILA VISTA StatemenB by each Councilmember of their Vision Councilman Rindone felt it was essential to commit to and identify those projects Council felt should have major focus from staff. Council should seek eight or ten projects to be designated as high priority, with adjustments made when a full Council is in attendance. The most significant item should be sound fiscal management and budgeting. He also expressed his concern over the lack of public information regarding the industrial parks available throughout the City. Budgeting and planning should be done not only on a short run basis but also on a five and ten year plan for major projects. Councilman Nader concurred and added the following priorities: 1) growth management (including environmental issues), 2) economic development program, and 3) government outreach to the community. Councilman Rindone felt there should be a category of "Qualify of Life" which would include public safety (defibulators and response times), libraries and proposed parks, review of playgrounds (increased programs for latchkey children), tielag in of youth programs with the Olympic Training Center, cultural arts center (workshop to deal with issue as soon as possible), and periodic review of traffic and water thresholds (long term impacts). Mayor Pro Tempore Moore felt all priorities were dependent upon the fiscal limitations of the City. He also felt that Boards and Commissions could be utilized to relieve staff time and take the lead on some of the projects listed. Minutes January24, 1991 Page 3 4. REVIEW OF MAJOR PROJECT LIST PREPARED BY STAFF Councilman Rindone felt Item #166 "Annual Community Event - Pride Fair" could be coordinated with the existing Fourth of July fireworks display sponsored by the City. It could be an annual event including community groups, carnival, booths, etc. Coordination could include the Human Resources Council, Chamber of Commerce and other civic groups. He requested that staff return with a concept paper to Council within the next several weeks and felt the first celebration could possibly be held this year. City Manager Goss stated there had been a referral to staff regarding the Chula Vista Center and requested clarification. Councilman Nader responded that it had been his request and he felt the referral could be removed as Councilman Rindone's suggestion fit in well with his original concept. Councilman Rindone requested a delineation of the four industrial parks, a projected time line, and a status report every six months. Councilman Nader felt that the revitalization of the downtown area should be addressed. He also felt more should be done regarding community outreach and constituent services. Once this has been done, the Council will be more aware of what projects could be missing. Councilman Rindone felt there should be a minimum of four Council meetings held in various geographical locations throughout the City. He felt the Council should go to the public. City Attorney Boogaard informed Council that the there was a Charter restraint regarding the location of meetings. He stated this issue could be reviewed by the Charter Review Commission for possible revision. City Manager Goss stated that community forums would be an option which could be tied in with special activities throughout the City, i.e. the opening of EastLake High School. Mayor Pro Tempore Moore stated that town meetings which are video taped and made available to the public were also very effective. The following projects were deleted from the current list: #64 - SDG&E Combined Cycle Plant #69 - Second Harbor Entrance Item #166 - Annual Community Event - Pride Fair was moved from Potential Projects into Major Projects. Item #61 - Boundaries - National City/Chula Vista will be left on the list but the project is currently with National City for action. Item #165 - Heritage Park is an ongoing project with low priority. Item #153 - City Architect Position, staff emphasis had been placed on the environmental position. Item #164 - Farmers Market, Mayor McCandliss had requested that staff check into requirements for certification. This project draws people on a weekly basis and does compete with the existing commerce. Minutes January 24, 1991 Page 4 City Manager Goss stated staff would review and revise the lists and submit to Council for review and follow- up. He noted that the staff feels a major emphasis should be on the generation of revenues from other sources and they are reviewing all programs on an on-going basis. Councilman Nader stated he had asked staff to look at the development and am'action to the City of a computer sales center, similar to the mile of cars in order generate revenues. He requested that staff study the feasibility of this concept. 5. DISCUSSION OF HOW VISIONS AND MAJOR PROJECTS RELATE TO COUNCILMEMBERS' NEEDS AND COUNCIL STAFF ASSISTANCE City Manager Goss requested guidance from Council regarding their needs and staff assistance. Mayor Pro Tempore Moore felt his needs were different from those Councilmembers having full time jobs. He did express concern regarding staff responding to the constituency without coordination through one staff person. Councilman Nader stated he had experienced problems by not having a staff person working for a specific Councilperson. He felt it undermined public confidence and stated he could utilize a half time staff person. He questioned how the position would be funded and felt priorities in the budget should be reviewed. Councilman Rindone stated he could support Alternative #2 as submitted but did not feel that it should be an attempt to replace staff with staff. He also felt that he could utilize a staff person to attend community meetings on his behalf. Councilman Nader expressed caution regarding Alternative #2, as it utilizes existing management assistants, and questioned who they would be accountable to, i.e. Administration, Council, etc. City Manager Goss responded that with the guidance and direction from Council, he would return with a more in depth report on Alternatives #2 and #4. Councilman Rindone stated that after review, Alternative #4 was preferable to Alternative #2. He did not want additional funding for the position(s). City Manager Goss replied that staff would review the entire City operation without affecting service levels. He felt there were other issues that should also be addressed, i.e. level of support the Mayor would require versus the needs of the Council. Mayor Pro Tempore Moore suggested that a Council sub-committee be utilized in determining the demand that would be needed by individual Councilmembers. Councilman Rindone felt staff should be given the opportunity to bring back an initial proposal for review and then possibly have a sub-committee review. He agreed that the needs of the Mayor's office needed to be addressed. The City Manager is in the best position to propose where the revenues will come from and the reallocation necessary. City Manager Goss stated he would have to informally talk to the new Mayor regarding those needs, etc. Minutes January 24, 1991 Page S 6. ORAL COMMHNICATIONS Paul L. Greene, St., 141 Lotus Drive, Chula Vista, California, requested that Council consider Mayor McCandliss' list of priorities when reviewing the Major Project List. He also requested to meet with the Council in a closed session over past litigation. ADJOURNMENT ADJOURNMENT AT 6:43 P.M. to Adjourned Special City Council Meeting on January 26, 1991 at 9:00 a.m. in the City Council Chambers. Respectfully submitted, BEVERLY A. AUTHELET, CMC, City Clerk