HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1995/04/22 MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA
Saturday, April 22, 1995 Council Chambers
12:12 p.m. Public Services Building
CALL TO ORDER
1. ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Councilmembers Moot, Padilia, Rindone, and Mayor Horton
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: City Attorney, Bruce M. Boogaard; and City Clerk, Beverly A. Authelet.
Mayor Hotton stated that each candidate would be given 15 minutes to address the Council. In the first five minutes
they were to make a presentation on why they shotlid be appointed to this position. Then the Council would ask
each candidate some questions. Council concurred in letting the candidates stay the room during the presentations.
Mayor Horton had the Council and staff draw a name tbr the speaking order of the candidates. The order would
be: Viviane Marquez, Frank Tarantino, Scott Alevy, Susan Fuller, Mary Salas, and Suzanne Rameriz.
Viviane Marquez:
Ms. Marquez addressed the lbllowing issues: the Redevelopmerit Agency, Bayfront Plan, and the Hi Tech/Bio Tech
Zone. She felt that her scientific background, many years in the medical field, many contacts in the university
system, as well as contacts with the National Science Foundation would increase her value as a participant. She
would not be entering the position with any ties or alliances either for or against anyone or issue. She could bring
a fresh outlook to many issues and evaluate them on current progress and accomplishment of goals without having
been influenced by occurrences of the past.
Councilman Padilia asked her: (1) how would she work as one member of the Council to see that we get clear
direction and take some specific steps to move forward with a plan tbr the Bayfront, (2) what would be some of
the economic development potentials or' the Bayfront, and (3) to rank her top priorities for the coming year that the
City should set.
Ms. Marquez responded that the Conncil was in the preliminary stages despite the amount of work that has gone
into creating this plan. She would like to set a time frame to get a commitment from Chula Vista Investors that
they do have the capacity, the contacts, and the way of marketing this plan. Her concern was that down the road
they will pass this on to someone else, and the negotiations would have to start over. She would like an agreement
with them that the decisions they make will be passed on. Her top priorities would be the Re/development Agency
fiscal matters and the City budget. Also, the Bio Tech and Hi Tech was critical because time was crucial.
Councilman Rindone asked Ms. Marquez to address her time availability and if appointed, how much time would
she be able to devote to the position.
Ms. Marquez responded that she has a flexible business schedule and can arrange her time as needed. The Council
could count on her being at all the meetings consistently.
Councilman Rindone asked her to comment on any enviromnental aspects of the following issues: (1) proposed
hydrogen fuel cell bus, (2) current CO2 project, (3) any environmental issues that would relate to either the
amphitheater proposal (either the MCA in South Chula Vista or the amphitheater proposal on the Bayfront).
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April 22, 1995
Page 2
Ms. Marquez encouraged the development of the amphitheater in the South Bay. She would be interested in finding
out what kind of revenues the city would receiving and would want to know before making any decision. It was
an excellent location; she wished it was our land instead of Port District land. The trolley station at that location
was ideal as far as a mode of transportation. The noise issue would be lessened since them was very little
residential development nearby. It would be a good alternative to other projects being considered such as an aquatic
center which disturbers her for a variety of reasons. Regarding the hydrogen fuel cell bus, she did not know too
much about that issue. It appears to be a win/win situation tbr everyone involved and an alternative means of
energy were important issues to address. She was not familiar with the CO2 project.
Mayor Horton stated asked for suggestions on what the Council could do to farther enhance public safety programs
that we now have in place.
Ms. Marquez responded that she was encouraged with programs such as the Senior Volunteer Patrol. She felt the
availability of more people to serve on that was a meaningful way for people to help out the City. She would
encourage more emphasis on the Neighborhood Watch Programs.
Mayor Horton asked her if she had any other suggestions (other than the Bio Tech/Hi Tech zones and the BECCA
program) that might be beneficial to the City as we try to expand and improve the economic conditions in Chula
Vista.
Ms. Marquez replied that we needed to find businesses that would be as strong in supplying jobs as Rohr has been.
Councilman Moot asked her to go over her experience in working on deliberative bodies such as other task forces
or community projects that she has been involved with.
Ms. Marquez stated that she has been very busy: last year she completed her masters degree, had six businesses,
and was working at Caltrans. This did not leave her time to commit to boards or committees. In July, these things
ended at which time she applied and was appointed to the Resource Conservation Commission. She admitted that
her background was limited in this area.
Frank Tarantino:
Mr. Tarantino requested that the opening statement be waived so he could use the entire time for questions with a
minute at the end to wrap up.
Councilman Moot asked what types of things he would like to accomplish or could accomplish in this period of a
year or less.
Mr. Tarantino replied there were three areas he would like to focus on: senior citizens, the youth, and business.
People need to feel comfortable and accepted. He would work on this by being accessible and visible to
organizations, groups, and members of the community. This could realistically be accomplished in ten months.
Councilman Moot asked him to explain how Councilman Padilia. his opponent during the last election, could be
assured that his losing the election would not become a subtle factor in the deliberative process of Council.
Mr. Tarantino responded that it was not his style to bash people. He did not get involved in negative campaigning.
He tried to concentrate on issues, not personalities. Mr. Padilia won; he holds no grudges. He was a firm believer
in timing; if it was right, it will happen ~- if it doesn't, then it was not meant to be.
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April 22, 1995
Page 3
Mayor Hotton asked how had his experience on the Planning Commission been helpful in positioning him in taking
on a new challenge such as being a member of the City Council.
Mr. Tarantino stated that during the last two and half years. since being on the Planning Commission, he has had
the chance to get experience in land issues. He t~lt he now had the experience necessary to sit on the Council.
Mayor Horton asked for suggestions on what the Council could be doing to enhance some of the programs they have
in place to attract other businesses and jobs to our community.
Mr. Tarantino responded that what Council has been doing was excellent. We need to continue to work on our
image. We were the second largest city in the county. Unfortunately, we were still perceived as not being there.
As we bring new businesses in and talk and think about ourselves as the second largest city in the county, then
people will be attracted to us.
Councilman Rindone asked what would be his time availability, if selected.
Mr. Tarantino replied that he did have the time. In terms of a work schedule, he was at a year round school so
twice a year he had a break of three weeks where he could devote the entire time to city business. He had a flexible
schedule in that with permission from the principal and district ofticials, he could slip away for various activities
and events and then make up the time at different parts of the school year.
Councilman Rindone asked Mr. Tarantino what he felt was ama. ior accmnplishment as a result of being Chair of
the Chula Vista 21 and how did he facilitate the progress of the ChuIa Vista 21 committee?
Mr. Tarantino replied that the toughest part in those eighteen months was the fhct that there were twenty-one people
with twenty-one different ideas and agendas which had to be meshed into a finite amount of time. As the Chair,
he had good staff support. But part of it was managing people. One of his strengths that he would bring to the
Council would be his people skills. He works with people, not throngh people. He resolves conflicts; he was a
mediator. This was what he does; it was his training.
Councilman Rindone stated that Mr. Tarantino has been an elected official of a school board where he represented
management viewpoints and has been head of a collective bargaining unit. Having experienced both sides, how do
you think this would help if you were appointed to Connell?
Mr. Tarantino stated that fairness, consistency, and communication were the keys. Prolonged and protracted
employee negotiations did not serve anyone, either management or the employees. The time that could be used for
productive measures was diverted to infighting. Because he has served on both sides, he could see both sides.
Councilman Padilia stated he had three questions: (1) what was the m~ior issue that he saw facing the City and
what would be his direction on it; (2) what could he offer the Council that was not currently being represented in
tetras of a strength, view, or skill; and (3) to define the dit]~rence between a manager and a leader.
Mr. Tarantino stated that in walking precincts the main issue was public safety which was heightened today with
the bombing in Oklahoma City. Even though statistics show that crime was decreasing, the perception was that it
was not safe. We need to get out and tell people what the reality is. The Council has done well in promoting
proactive activities such as the Police Activity League, expansion of the Senior Volunteer Patrol program, and the
School Officer Resource program. All of this helps in that the police were visible and that promotes safety. He
felt we needed to act upon the Crime Bill which would give Chula Vista some police officers. We needed to look
at creative ways of doing things such as Los Angeles did when the police worked longer hours which enabled them
to work fewer days but be in the field more. Mr. Tarantino t~lt that he could add to and enhance what was on the
Council in terms of his accessibility and visibility and his desire to work as a team member. Regarding the
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April 22, 1995
Page 4
difference between a manager and a leader he t~lt that a manager looked at the black and white of issues; the bottom
lines of issues and makes decisions based on those criteria. A leader uses people and looks at the resources that
are available, solicitates buy-in, and then makes a decision based on those t~ctors. Mr. Tarantino ended by stating
that in the end, it was not what was said, or who said it, or how it was said that was important; it was the work
that we were able to accomplish together for the City and the people of Chula Vista. That was what will be
remembered and that was how we, as a Council, will be .judged.
* * * Council recessed from 12:57 p.m. to 1:07 p.m. * * *
Scott D. Alevy:
Mr. Alevy stated that his strength was commonications: he was a communicator, a problem solvet; that was what
he does for a living. He felt that we faced a couple of problems: First, the constituency needed to believe in our
government. Some things have happened which have not been positive, and we need to get out to the constituency
and state why we made these decisions. Little things can be done such as having a councilmember write a column
for the newspaper or other media where we can state the reasons for our decisions. Secondly, the Council needed
to move in a direction to make sure that the entire business cmmnunity, not just Chula Vista but the San Diego
region, understood that Chula Vista was business friendly. We need to give some relief in fees and taxes to
businesses who were willing to come to Chula Vista. Statistics indicate that most purchases are made within six
miles where people work and where they live. If we have more people living and working within our community,
we will have a double benefit from the tax base.
Mayor Horton asked what did the Coonell need to do to pursue and overcome this image problem.
Mr. Alevy responded that our image starts with making sure that the local media (electronic and print) know and
see what we were about. People needed to realize that Chula Vista was not the sleepy little town near the border
anymore. We need to let them know we were doing things tbr business, that people were happy here, that we have
a safe environment, and that we have superb schools. As far as attracting businesses here, it was very easy to find
mailing lists and associations lists. There were business and association meetings held all over the United States
that were for businesses seeking to relocate. We need to be at those meetings.
Councilman Rindone asked Mr. Alevy what his time availability would be and what kind of commitment could be
make if selected.
Mr. Alevy stated that his job was unique as Director of Sales and Marketing, a direct mail company in town. He
was not interested in running for office because he has seen how ugly it can be from the mailing advertising
standpoint. If he was selected, he would plan to be in before his office opened every morning to get messages so
that he could make phone calls and do things which needed to be done during the day. He would spend
considerable evenings doing those things as well.
Councilman Rindone asked Mr. Alevy to address youth issues which was perceived to be one of his strengths and
what he felt the City has done well and what we need to do for the future.
Mr. Alevy responded that we have done a lot of good things for the youth. There was a reason why our Parks and
Recreation Department just got the State's highest honor at a recent State meeting. We should be proud about that,
and the public should know about that. We need to make sure that when development comes to Chula Vista that
we maintain the three acres per 1,000 residents as our level tbr parks. We were currently sublevel. We need to
enhance and increase facilities like the proposed Otay gym which will be a community center that will keep the
youth off the streets and create positive direction. ]""'
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April 22, 1995
Page 5
Councilman Rindone asked Mr. Alevy to comment on the level of importance of signage for the Olympic Training
Center and its relationship to marketing the City of Chola Vista.
Mr. Alevy stated that we need to let people know about the Olympic Training Center. We need to work with
Caltrans to get signs on the freeway that says "This exit to the Olympic Training Center." But signage goes beyond
this. We need to let people know it was the Arco Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista. We need to tie the
Chula Vista name to the Training Center. They will not do that for us; we need to do that.
Councilman Padilia asked what were his thoughts on the status of the Bayfront and where would he like to see it
go7
Mr. Alevy stated that he looked at the Bayfront as an economic source. In San Diego County if you look along
the coast, 80% of the money spent on a retail basis was spent west of Interstate 5. We need to put things at the
Bayfront to give people a reason to come to the bayfront to enjoy Chnla Vista so they will say this isn't such a bad
place, lets look at the interior. This was why we need to optimize the bayfront.
Councilman Padilia asked if there was any way in which we could improve our planning process. If so, what would
he like to see in terms in how we, as a community, plan.
Mr. Alevy stated that the Planning Commission has been engrossed in the Otay development. He has looked at the
Otay development from the Parks and Recreation standpoint. All the comlnissions need to refer to the Council and
to staff their feelings, as people of the community, how they t~el about different issues in the planning process.
The public needs to know why the Parks and Recreation Commission wanted certain park locations in Otay Ranch
and why the Planning Commission was looking at all these multitude of ideas. He would like to see a more visual
representation as to why decisions were made.
Councilman Padilia asked what would be the advantages of an interim appointment, a type of appointee that would
fill this position under these circumstances, as opposed to an open ended appointee and why?
Mr. Alevy responded that he had not given much thought to this. In his case, this would be a great advantage.
He was not interested in running for office. He er~joyed being a part of the community. As an interim appointment,
this person has an opportunity to be independent and can make decisions based on hcts without being worried about
being re-elected.
Councilman Moot asked if he had any ideas of what this City could do to address the issue of growth and traffic?
Mr. Alevy replied that it was a problem that we will always have to deal with. Our development needs to be made
with an eye to infrastructure to make sure that the infi'astructure that exists coincides with the infrastructure that was
planned for the development. Its wonderful to plan a beautiful expansion to the east, marina development, etc. but
we need to make sure people can get there. You should not have to drive through residential streets to get to an
attraction or shopping; that needs to be part of the process.
Councilman Moot asked him how he saw SR-125 fitting into an overall growth and planning process for the City?
Mr. Alevy expressed that a lot of the development to the east was approved and built on assuming the approval of
SR-125 and anticipated funding. He felt that in order tbr development to take place, it may hinge on whether SR-
125 goes through. If we were going to have development and expansion, then we will need the venues to get there.
If SR-125 was the best method, then that was what we need to encourage.
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April 22, 1995
Page 6
Susan Fuller:
Ms. Fuller stated that she wanted to focus on why she applied tbr the position. The circumstances surrounding the
vacancy was a real "downer" for the City and because of that she saw an opportunity to offer an objective ear and
an experienced voice to fill this void. She holds no allegiance to anyone on or off the Council. She was elected
and served eight years on the Chula Vista Elementary School Board. She learned to listen to people, to pay
attention to issues, and to be held accountabIe for decisions. She sees the interim appointment as an opportunity
to help the City to move forward efl~ctiveIy and then let the voters chose who they want to serve on the Council
next March. She felt that the Chula Vista Nature Center was Chula Vista's jewel. Sitting on the edge of a
revitalized salt marsh after eight years of hard work by a lot of people, most of them volunteers, she felt this should
be the City's focal point of any Bayfront development. The jewel of our City needed more attention and be
supported by the assessment district which was planned to happen there. She felt this was a key to solving some
of the major problems and fiscal woes oi: the Redevelopment Agency. She had no hidden agenda in seeking this
appointment. She was only interested in serving the City during an interim period. She has never wanted to run
for election for the City Council.
Councilman Rindone asked her what her time availability would be?
Ms. Fuller stated that her time was pretty open since she recently retired as owner of the family business and has
officially turned the business over to her son. She could make a commitment as she has done on any project she
has taken on for the City to get up to speed.
Councilman Rindone stated that as past president of the Chula Vista Chamber, what should the Council be doing
to encourage a positive business community and how did she feel she could be an asset to the Council in focusing
on that aspect?
Ms. Fuller felt the experience as a business owner, someone who not only recognized the needs of her employees
but also the community at large, could assist in bringing the knowledge that the business people in the community
want the policy makers of the City really listen. Enough lead time needs to be given to businesses so they were
aware of what was going on and be able to participate in the decisions that will effect their business. Through the
Chamber, they were doing an excellent .job in keeping the business aware of it. There were a lot of small
businesses that don't feel comfortable coining to the City or Chamber with their concerns. There were a number
of ways such as through the Chula Vista Quarterly to get the information out that it was a business friendly City.
Councilman Rindone asked how could she assist Council in getting a positive consensus so that the City would move
forward and would continue to grow and prosper during the next eleven months.
Ms. Fuller expressed that she had the ability to use an o/2jective ear and could see when discussions and issues were
going astray and able to bring things back into focus. She felt she did quite well in that role as the Chair of the
Planning Commission when she fell heir of that role by default at the beginning of the Otay Ranch Project because
she had already served her term. Working with two bodies, the City and the County, that did things differently;
worked with their staffs differently; and a lot of high power, high energy thinkers all wanting to talk at the same
time. She kept things under control and moved the hearings along.
Councilman Padilla asked her what was her priority that she thought she would face as an interim appointee over
the next year, and what were her concerns and directions on that. Secondly, what specific skill or background could
she add to the Council that was not already represented. Thirdly, he asked her to define the difference between a
leader and manager and how that related to serving on the City Council.
Ms. Fuller responded that a leader was someone who had the ability to share creative ideas and inspire people to
do better. A manager was someone who basically made sure that those things got done. She felt she had been both
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April 22, 1995
Page 7
as a business owner. She owned the business, but managed the office. Regarding priorities, she felt that since this
was an interim appointment, a major priority would be to beconle familiar right away with the issues that were
currently before the City. She had no special interests except the Bayfront development. She felt it was urgent that
the City move forward with that prctject. Not only because of her involvement with the Chula Vista Nature Center
but also the knowledge that we go in debt continually each year trying to finance and fund the operation of that
center. She would be excited if something happened while she was part of the Council.
Councilman Moot stated that she played a very active role in the recent Mayoral campaign and probably at the time
had a vision of where the City should go. He asked her if her views now dift~z:red at all and how did she see the
direction that the City was heading.
Ms. Fuller responded that the lict that there was a change in leadership has brought a positive move forward for
the City. She saw a real concern about the issues that the people addressed and brought forth in the campaign to
all the candidates: the issue of public safety. She felt the Council and leadership has addressed those concerns,
and saw forward movement. The reason we were here today is because there was a vacancy. She felt moving
along with the decision for an interim appointment and then allowing the citizens to fill the position later will clear
that.
Councilman Moot asked if she had given any specific thoughts to the Bayfront project and if it were going to be
done differently or changed, how would you perceive those types of changes or difti~rences?
Ms. Fuller replied that the environmental studies indicated what could and could not be done there; that will not
change even if the project changes. She t~lt that we needed to focus on the tact that it was an extremely sensitive
area environmentally; that we will never have access to the water in most of that area. She had not given this a
lot of thought because she did not know what other plans had been presented to the City. She liked the focus on
family oriented entertainment, the restaurants, the open venue of the bay, the dift~rent values in heights in buildings.
She did have some concern about the density of the residential area, she liked the way the current plan had been
sensitively laid out for traffic flow and easy access tbr the citizens of Chula Vista to enjoy whatever was developed
on the bayfront. Specifically she has not addressed this any further.
Mayor Horton asked Ms. Fuller what strengths would she bring to the Council to help further strengthening of
economic development in the City.
Ms. Fuller replied that we should focus our attention, when we seek additional economic opportunities for our City,
on what was good about Chula Vista and the thct that we were the first to have a growth management program and
growth management oversight commission and which was working very well. We need to make that information
more broadly known not only to our community, but other communities that we were doing a very fine job of
assessing the quality of life in Chula Vista. We need to contilme the good cooperative plan that we have with the
educational community. These were things people look tier when they seek a place to live and to bring a business
into the community.
Mayor Hotton asked if she had any ideas to further strengthen the public safety progralns which we currently have
in place? Or was there something that we were not doing?
Ms. Fuller responded that we need to focus on programs that we have m existence such as the Senior Volunteer
Patrol Also, strengthening the Neighborhood Watch Program was a li~cus that we need to continue and perhaps
work on even more.
Mayor Horton asked if she would have a specific priority that she would like to acco~nplish?
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April 22, 1995
Page 8
Ms. Fuller replied that she had nothing specific. She would be interested and very excited if the bayfront
development got off the ground because of her concern of what happens to the Nature Center.
* * * Mayor Horton called a break from 1:53 p.m. to 2:04 p.m. * * *
Mary Salas:
Ms. Salas stated that she t~lt she would bring to Council a broad range of experience. First, her field of study in
college of social work. She found that in working with companies and CEOs of very large companies, you do have
to be a social worker because what yott need to understand were the difficulties that were facing businesses for their
success. She worked for the California Trade and Commerce Agency as an Economic Development Specialist.
California Trade and Commerce Agency was the lead agency fi~r economic development. She felt her experience
with the California Trade and Commerce Agency and her knowledge of federal and state funding in bringing
incentives to Chula Vista would be greatly helprid. The arena of economic development was very complex.
Companies were not only looking at the cost of doing business in California, but also the quality of life. The
Council needs to look at the broad range of decisions they were making and not look at economic development
merely in the terms of offering incentives. You have to balance the incentives that you were offering with what
it was going to cost the City in the long run. We were talking aboot things such as police services being adequate,
the schools being overcrowded, libraries not being built because some of the fees were being waived. When a
company decides to locate into your area, they look fi~r three m~ior things: where the market is, were there like
industries also there, and what was the labor pool.
Councilman Padilia asked what Chola Vista cotlid do to better in the areas of economic development? ~.-
Ms. Salas replied that Council needed to expand what they will be doing and work smarter. In other words, partner
with the State of California. Chula Vista hasn't/idly accessed those things which were available to them through
California Trade and Commerce. For example, in trying to get the Encoding Center into Chula Vista. The City's
Economic Development people came to theIn a little late in the game. If they could have outreached and used those
resources at an earlier stage, you might have more success in getting someone here.
Councilman Padilia asked what was her specific skill or backermind that she possessed that was not represented on
the Council.
Ms. Salas responded that she had another "hat" in that she was President of a community-based organization which
was an all volunteer organization. There was an executive board of nine women who have a vision and a goal.
In their decision-making process, whether they disagree on how they were going to reach that goal, they ask if it
was going to fulfill the mission of the organization. She has been President since December 1993 when they had
seventy members; today they have 160 members. In 1993, the general fund had $9,000 and today it has $17,000.
She felt that this spoke to her ability to tbrm a consensus and also to lead. When you were working with a
volunteer pool, you have to be able to work well with people and build consensus. She would bring that skill to
the Council.
Councilman Padilia asked what she viewed as the key to snccess on the Bayfront.
Ms. Salas replied that the Bayfront has to get on track and it has to get moving. What was critical was that we
don't act from the position of panic and accept any developer or plan that comes forth. You have to look at the
financial soundness of the people that were going to be developing that property so that you end up with a quality
project that the City will be proud of and that will serve the whole community.
Councilman Rindone asked what would be her time availability if selected? V'
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April22,1995
Page 9
Ms. Salas responded that one of the good things about her job was that part of her job description was community
outreach. It was her job to participate in community meetings and to represent the agency. She was also willing
to go on "V ' time which means she would be willing to reduce her hours to a thirty hour week which should give
her sufficient time to participate in City Council kind of functions.
Councilman Rindone asked how could she assist to generate and tbcus on the approximately 168 new small
businesses per month in Chula Vista?
Ms. Salas replied that when we hear abont the Rohr downsizing, what a lot of people in California don't know was
that small businesses who have employees ofone hundred or less employ 57% ofour workforce. CaliforniaTrade
and Commerce Agency has an office for Small Business Assistance, so she was fully aware of the program to assist
small businesses. In fact, they fund and work with the Southwestern College Small Business Development Center.
It was a great office for small businesses in terms of getting help with strategic planning and marketing assistance.
Small businesses were not aware of those State programs which can assist them at no cost. She would bring this
also to the Council.
Councilman Rindone asked how she could assist in addressing the fiscal issues currently facing the Chula Vista
Redevelopment Agency.
Ms. Salas answered that you have to look at the background of what happened to create the problem which was
perhaps buying property at a time when property was at its peak, then the Inng recession. From the California
perspective, we know that it was turning around and the econmny was coining back up again. In terms of what has
to happen in the Redevelopment Agency, she read that the quick tix solution proposed was selling off properties.
We know that cannot continue. Unfortunately, you have to seriously look at the Department and reorganize.
Mayor Horton asked if she had any ideas which would help promot~ or enhance some of the programs that we have
in place?
Ms. Salas answered that she was a proponent of community-based policing. Drawing on her knowledge on what
goes on at the State level fiscally and how that impacts city finances, she knew that what was happening in this
political climate was that we were going to have to deal with reality that there will be less funding for public
services. Citizens and community-based organizations were going to have to take up the slack for a lot of the social
services that we were not going to be able to provide in the future. This idea of the Senior Volunteer Patrol was
a good one. We cannot rely on building a bigger and bigger police force to take care of our criminal element; it
isn't going to work. You have to engage your citizens in the solution of the problem and have to be able to have
them buy into that.
Councilman Moot asked her to talk abont her commitment to the comnmnity, to the place she was raised, and the
ideals she holds important to the community.
Ms. Salas replied that she loves her community becanse she has such deep roots in the community and very good
things have happened to her. She wanted to see Chula Vista remain and become a good community for all its
citizens where we can all live, free t~om crime, bnt also we have a place where we have good, decent paying jobs.
Suzanne Rameriz:
Ms. Rameriz stated she has loved living in Chula Vista fur twenty years about lbur blocks from City Hall.
Therelbre, she was very interested in what was going on at the Bayfront. She was interested in seeing a quality
project there; interested in having a prqject that will install pride in our community; and will be accessible to all
members of the community, not just those who were tbrtunate to have business or to live there. She was interested
in having a cultural or performing arts center at the Bayfront. She was concerned because of the impact it has on
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April 22, 1995
Page 10
the Redevelopment Agency's fiscal position. She was impressed with the projects they have taken on over the past
few years such as Palomar Trolley, expansion of the Chula Vista Center, and the auto park. These projects should
improve the revenue stream to the City. She felt that certain measures have already been taken such as looking at
the Redevelopment Agency budget in tandem with the overall City's budget. She believed that the City Council
in taking a closer look at what the Agency was doing and being more "hands on" and leaving less funds to the
discretion of the Rexdevelopment was a step in the right direction.
Councilman Moot asked her to share the type of community involvement that she has had on deliberative bodies
or commissions or other programs'?
Ms. Rameriz replied that her involvement with the commonity commenced around 1987. She started out on the
Lawyer Referral Service Committee. When she started on the Corm~,fittee, the Lawyer Referral Service was
basically going under financially. She had the time to invest in the organization. She fewrote the bylaws,
restmctured the program, and got people involved. She l~lt that it was not designed to be a marketing tool for local
attorneys, but also to see that the public had access to legal services. After having served that body for two years,
she served as Secretary of the South Bay Bar Association. She had time available and set out to reorganize that.
The next year she became the Bar President. She has been involved with the International Friendship Commission
for almost four years. She was currently serving as the Chair. They set out this year to reorganize the Commission
because it had been operating on a "fly by the seat of your pants basis." They were putting together binders of
information so they don't have to reinvent the wheel each year. They were in the process of possibly taking on
another sister city. Probably within a week or two. Coonell will have before them information and a position on
Argentina which has been a concern to some of the cooncilmembers. She has also been very active with the
Chamber.
Mayor Horton asked what would be her priority if she were appointed.
Ms. Rameriz stated she did not have an agenda. She l~It the City was well run and the Council was doing a good
job. She would like to take in all the inti>rmation available on an issue and help the Council think of all the things
that should be considered and help to reach a consensus. She has nothing to push nor anyone's interest to represent.
She felt this was appropriate tbr an interim position.
Councilman Rindone asked her to address her time availability and how much time she would be able to devote to
the position, if selected.
Ms. Rameriz responded that she has wound down her practice and was essential unemployed by choice. Obviously,
if she was not selected, she would be going back to work relatively soon. She made the statement that if given this
position, she would not go back to employment. TheretBre, she wonld essentially be available full time. She could
help cover meetings which some have difficulty covering.
Councilman Rindone asked her why should the Council consider having a second attorney on the Council?
Ms. Rameriz raplied that she wasn't the typical attorney. She was proud of the profession of which she was a part.
What an attorney can bring to the Council was an analytical ability. Attorneys have the ability to negotiate or reach
a consensus. She was not here to drum up business for her practice since most of her cfients have been from
outside the community. She had good skitIs in working and relating to people.
Councilman Rindone asked her to comment aboot being a Customs Broker and what role she has played as being
a former member of the Sierra Club and how these might enhance the City Council.
Ms. Rameriz stated that she has had a Customs Broker license for about maybe three years. However, she has
never worked in the field. It was a difficult license to obtain and she set out to obtain it because she was starting
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Minutes
April 22, 1995
Page I 1
a practice locally and wanted to develop an international clientele. She was not sure that it offered anything to the
Council. Her involvement with the Chamber in Tijuana and the t~ct that she has lived both in Mexico City and in
Europe may be of some interest. She has had a lot of contact with Mexico and has been very active with the
International Relations Conunittee with the Chamber and Tijuana. In terms of the Sierra Club, she has been a
member many years. She enjoys the outdoors, has been through their basic mountaineering course, likes to camp,
and was concerned about the environment. Today if you see that on someone's resume, it was controversial. She
was not an environmental lunatic. She has tbllowed environmental issues for many years, she has had several
conversations with our Environmental Resources Manager, and she was very impressed with the position which the
Council has taken. She would bring to the Council an environmentally sensitive pro business person.
Councilman Rindone asked how she would relate international issues and the role that the City of Chula Vista could
be played so that we look beyond .just local and regional issues.
Ms. Rameriz felt very strongly that the City needed to capitalize on our proximity to the border as a plus instead
of a negative. The Chamber was making great strides in doing that. We were the doorway into California. There
were a lot of people who come across the border to shop here. We were on the Pacific Rim as well. Whether she
could do anything for the Council in ten months in dealing with the Pacific Rim would be questionable. She would
love to see Chula Vista have an international flavor. Why not thiok about exporting prqjects. Why not think about
attracting international visitors. What was available to us through our sister city relationships? Even a City such
as Chula Vista with a limited manufacturing base could gain from exporting. There were services to be exported,
we do have some products here, you can import students tYom abroad. This was a perspective which she offers.
Councilman Padilia asked what was her major issue that she would t~ce as a member of the Council, why was that
a major issue, and what would be her approach in dealing with it?
Ms. Rameriz stated that she was not seeking the position so that she can have something particular done with the
Bayfront or revamp city hall. As an interim appointee, she viewed her role as assisting the Council take on
whatever was brought forth to the Council; she has no personal issues to bring before the Council. The budget has
been an issue for a number of years. She knew that the fiscal issues would be an important part of what the Council
would be dealing with. She wanted to work with Council, give them new ideas, and help them to look at things
from a different perspective.
Councilman Padilia asked her how philosophically her comment that there was room for only one leader and how
did she reconcile that ideologiealty with the Council/Manager form of government that we have in Chula Vista and
the need for consensus building among the 1~11 Conncil as a means of arriving at policy decisions.
Ms. Rameriz expressed that the four Councihnembers were leaders. It has to be that way since you have to take
positions that represent the community and that you took when you ran tbr office. What she said was that as an
interim appointee, the positions that she would hold haven't been tested by the electorate so that whoever holds that
position should be a little lower key than those who have gone through the scrntiny by the electorate. That was why
she did not see herself as a leader although she was capable of being a leader. Regarding the relationship between
Council and the City Manager, the Council was the deliberative legislative body and the Council was the boss for
the City Manager and City Attorney. The Council has to take un issnes that need to be decided. Once you have
made a decision, you giv~ the order and the City Managers were to follow it.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Hotton asked if there was anyone wishing to address the Ceuncil on this matter or any other matter affecting
the City. There was no one.
Minutes
April 22, 1995
Page 12
* * * Mayor Horton called a recess from 3:02 p.m. to 3:27 p.m. * * *
Mayor Horton stated that we had six well qualified candidates who have made a commitment not to mn at the next
election. She hoped that today the Council cotaid reach consensus on one of the candidates.
Councilman Rindone commented that this was the tburth time he has been through this process in his five years on
the Council. This has been the most thornngh and open process with wide participation. He regretted that there
was not television coverage when they interviewed the twenty-five candidates on Wednesday evening. There was
a need to have a balance on the Council. This will be an interim appointment; it was not a caretaker position. He
felt that all members of the Council were caretakers.
Councilman Padilia reconunended tbr the process that the Council should not eliminate or narrow the field by a
secret ballot. He t~elt that it was important to have a discussion and not alter from the standard voting procedures
that were employed for other major decisions which the Council makes.
Councilman Moot asked if we voted on a candidate and we deadlocked, would this eliminate the candidate from
consideration.
Mayor Horton responded that we have the option to come back to that candidate at a later time. She felt that
Council was not limited to the candidate's in front of thein.
Councilman Moot stated he brought this np because he has had the pleasure and now the pain of working with three
of the candidates. He sees the strengths in all the candidates and ranking them was almost impossible. What he "'-
would like to see was the Council reach a consensus so that the selection would be unanimous.
Mayor Horton expressed that each candidate had a certain strength which would balance the Council. She felt that
having another attorney or another member from the Sweetwater School District would not be her first choice.
Councilman Padilia stated that he had a number of philosophical reasons fbr an interim appointment and will use
thefollowingasaguideinevaluatingthecandidates: (l)thecandidatemustbeextremelyqualifiedintermsoftheir
knowledge and experience. It was important that an interim appointee be able to join the fray with as minimal
learning curve as possible, (2) someone who was not involved in the political process. He was limiting himself to
specifically a person in an interim appointment situation. The kind of person who does not plan or have political
aspirations was a legitimate consideration tbr this appointment. He felt this would be the best fit for this type of
appointment. It was a very unique type of combination: both the experience and knowledge and willingness to serve
the community without any strings attached with no political considerations that often distract people.
M (Rindone) to Nominate Susan Fuller fnr uppointment to fill Council Seat #4 until the Municipal Election
in March 1996. Councilman Rindone f~lt she was unquestionable the strongest candidate in the field of six very
outstanding individuals. Ms. Fuller would bring qualities and experience which the Council desperately needed.
She has more service, dedication, opportnnities, and knowledge in this City than any candidate before us. She
brings several dimensions to the Council: (1) she served to revitalize the effbrts to bring in the Montgomery
annexation and was a leader in an issue which was not popular but was in the long-term benefit to assure that the
largest annexation in the history of California became a reality; (2) she has been a business owner and operator for
thirty years (we don't have a business owner on the Council); (3) she has given time and commitment to the
Planning Commission and has been its Chair; (4) she was on the Growth Management Oversight Committee; (5)
she has been on the Tijuana River Park Committee; (6) has been a docent fbr the Nature Interpretative Center and
currently on the Board of the Bayfront Conservancy Trust; (7) she has been an elected public official.
Minutes
April 22, 1995
Page 13
Nomination of Susan Fuller was seconded by Couucihnun Padilia. He stated that the Council was short on
aggregate years of experience and service to the City. Also, the average age has dropped a few years especially
since his addition to the Council. He did not know Ms. Fuller very well but has gotten to know her better and has
been impressed. What we need to do t~r this appointment was to have a combination of someone who was willing
to be the City's statesman with no other agenda or ainbitions and who also has the experience and ability to add to
the Council.
Mayor Hotton stated that she stood behind the/~ct that t~,~riner Councihnan Moore would have been the best choice
given the situation in that it was for a very short perind of time and he did have the experience, and above all, he
was a man of integrity who did not have any special hidden agenda. However, we must move forward since the
Council did not agree with this philosophy. She stated that Ms. Fuller was a valuable member of the commtmity
and has a very impressive resume. She has worked with Ms. FuIIer for about five years on the Planning
Commission. She liked her thought process and, in most cases, probably agreed with her philosophy when it came
to managed growth. She was a small bnsiness person which was a valuable attribute coming into Council.
However, the Mayor had a question in her mind. Having been through a very difficult campaign when she ran for
mayor. She wondered how it would be tbr her to work with Ms. Fuller on the Council given the fact that she was
her opponents campaign director. Ms. Fuller was not part of the pleasant part of campaigning. This, unfortunately,
has carried on after the election. Although she has a lot of respect for Ms. Fuller, there was real friction. She felt
she needed to be cautious. She did not know if there was a hidden agenda. She was hoping she could get over
these feelings. She has talked to many people about this including many who have a lot of respect for Ms. Fuller.
Everyone has cautioned her in going ti>rward with Ms. Fuller's appointment. She has discussed this with Ms.
Fuller. She did have a candidate who she l~lt would r~ally lit the needs of the community which addresses the
concerns which the constitnents have. There[i~re, she could not support the nomination of Susan Fuller.
Councilman Moot expressed that it was absolutely essential to have positive consensus. He has worked with Ms.
Fuller and likes her and felt she was a well qualified candidate. He l~lt that whenever you appoint someone to a
body like this there were two considerations: ( 1 ) were they qualified, and (2) was everyone who was going to work
with this person absolutely conffortable with this person. He had never run li~r office, therefore, he could not say
that if he went through a difficult campaign that he could necessarily ask an opponent to sit on a body with him.
He felt he would have to honor a fellow councilmembers belief that they would be more comfortable with another
candidate.
Councilman Padilia stated that while he appreciated the courage that it took the Mayor to be honest with her
feelings, he was honestly disappointed. He was idealistic enough to believe that real positive consensus in anybody
was only truly reached when these types of things were not considerations in the decision making process. This
was one of the reasons why people do not have confidence in leaders today and why that undermines our ability
to successfully lead. This should not be a consideration.
Mayor Horton stated that she had to show her true t~elings and that was why she had to come forward with this.
She also said that she felt there was someone else more qualified.
Councilman Moot stated that we have to work together. There was no way that we can tackle the problems facing
us unless all agree on the person. He honored the Mayur's l~elings on this issue. He witnessed both the reaction
during and after the election. This community becatne very divided in that election. He felt we ought to try to find
an unanimous person which they could all agree on.
Councilman Rindone felt that Susan Fuller was unqaestionably the best fit fi~r the Council. He respected the
Mayor's comments and appreciative of her complete candor, but we needed to get beyond this.
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Minutes
April 22, 1995
Page 14
Councilnmn Padilia expressed what a better way to get beyond politics and do what was in the best interest of the
community than to make amends with onr political adversaries and work together. What a signal the Mayor could
send to those who supported her opponent in the election then to extend her hand to Ms. Fuller. It seemed that the
only objection to Ms. Fuller had to do with the political participation in an election against the Mayor.
Mayor Horton replied that she did not say the only reason. She t~lt there was another candidate which was the best
candidate.
Councilman Moot felt that Councilman Padilla's comments were wonderful in a perl~ct world. He did not think
they spoke to the situation called reality. The reality was that the process was part qualifications and part politics.
But in his view. it was one hundred percent who we were comli~rtable with.
Vote on Nomination: Motion failed 2-2 (Padilia and Rindone, y~s. Horton and Moot, no).
M (Horton) to Nominate Mary Salas. Mayor Hotton stated she did so because Ms. Salas addressed the public
safety issue which was a major issue. Alsu, becaose of her experience and strong background in economic
development which was critical to our future. The City's population was over fifty percent minority. Ms. Salas
would represent a cross section of what the community was. Even thoogh Mr. Padilia has a Hispanic name, she
felt he did not fit the nitch because both parents were not Hispanic. She felt it was important to recognize the
cultural diversity in the community.
Nomination seconded by Moot for discussion purposes.
Councilman Padilia stated he was disturbed with the Mayor's comments. He had no idea where the ethnic
background of candidate Salas or himself or Ms. Rameriz or Ms. Marquez factored into this decision. He has had
phone calls and pressure and comments ti'om people in the community suggesting that he support a candidate with
a Hispanic surname because he was of Hispanic descent. That politically he would risk making some group, or
special interest, or person angry at him because he did not support "one of his own." Frankly, he felt this should
never be a consideration. He did not make it so in asking [br support of the people of the community when he ran,
and he was just as proud of his heritage as anyone else of Hispanic or Latino descent. To suggest that this was a
factor in this decision was an instilt to him and shoold be an instilt to Ms. Salas and to anyone else of Latino descent
in the community. He was proud to be the first person of descent to be elected to the Council. However, he was
an American first, like his father and grandlhther. He was born in this Country; it was his country. The fact that
his grandfather my have come here from Mexico was of no consequence. He liked Mary Salas. However, his
deliberative process has lead him to believe that, although she was well qualified, she was not the most qualified
since she had clear aspirations for political office which he was encouraging her to do.
Mayor Horton stated that she wasn't pressured by anyone in the Latino community to support someone just because
they were Latino. She was supporting Mary Salas because she was the best candidate with the most experience that
would help move the City forward. She offered strengths that no other candidate offered.
Councilman Moot stated than an unique aspect of an appointment was that you get a chance to do something that
might not ordinarily occur. One thing he liked aboot Mary Salas was that she could serve as a role model to the
cogunity as to what you can achieve. At thirty seven she went back to school, she raised her kids, she became
a professional, she dedicated herself to the betterment of her children, family, and career. He felt she was a superb
role model for the community.
Vote on Nomination: Motion failed 2-2; (Horton and Moot, yes; Padilia and Rindone, no).
Minutes
April 22, 1995
Page 15
M (Moot) to Nominate Frank Tarantino. Councihnan Moot stated he had worked with him on the Planning
Commission. He had impeccable integrity and was demonstrated when Councilman Padilia had no hesitation
because of being involved in an election with him. He has a lot of strengths ti'om working on the Chula Vista 21,
being on the school boards, to working on the Planning Commission. He was as qualified as the other candidates
already discussed.
Second to Nmnination: Mayor Hotton seconded the nomination. She would like to come up with a candidate that
everyone could work with. She looked ti~rward to working with Mr. Tarantino although she felt another candidate
was probably more qualified. However, she has watched Mr. Tarantino in various situations and would be proud
to serve with him as a member of the Council.
Councilman Padilia stated that he had no problem working with Mr. Tarantino and if he was convinced that he was
the most qualified or had the experience that Ms. Fuller had, he would vote tier him in a heart beat. His process
was conditioned upon two lines of reasoning: who had the most experience and who didn't have political
considerations. Mr. Tarantino has political aspirations.
Councilman Moot asked Mr. Padilia if it was either Ms. Fnller nr nobody? That was what he was hearing. What
he was trying to do was to get the Council to move tierward and reach a positive consensus. He felt Ms. Fuller
was tremendously qualified, but so were Ms. Salas and Mr. Tarantino. The art of politics was compromise and
consensus. We have to move tierward and reach positive consensns. If we can't, then its a special election.
Councilman Padilia responded that sometimes the art of politics was not just compromise but also principle and
consistency. He felt people were hungry ti>r more of that.
Vote on Nomination failed 2-2 (Horton and Moot, yes; Padilia mtd Rindone, no)
M (Rindone) to replace in nomination Susan Fuller. Councihnan Rindone felt that he had compromised and felt
that the best opportunity was an election. It was something the voters wanted when they passed Proposition J; they
want more say in who their councilmembers were instead of less. In every endeavor to compromise from that
position, we need to seek an appointment of a candidate. We were responsible to get the very best of what was
available. Susan Fuller represented that. To take anything less than that, we would be irresponsible to all of the
electorate. His compromise was not to go with an election.
Nomination was seconded by Councihnan Padilia.
Vote on Nomination: Failed 2-2 (Padilia and Rindone, yes; Horttm and Maot, m~).
Mayor Horton stated that it appeared that the Council had made the decision to have a special election. She felt
this was unfortunate because we were dealing with a very tight budget this year. She wanted to give the
Councilmembers a chance to think about this overnight and to continue this meeting to Monday evening at 5:00 p.m.
Councilman Moot stated that he was prepared to go to a special election. He did not think it was the financially
responsible thing to do. As a person coming in from the private sector, he was amazed at govemment's ability not
to do fiscally responsible things. He agreed that we should think about this.
Councilman Rindone agreed that we shoeld think about this. Compromise cnuld still take place. We could put this
on the Council agenda fi~r Tuesday night to discuss this again. He still believed Susan Fuller was unquestionably
the best qualified candidate. We could revisit the issue to see if we were willing to designate this or go forth with
an election. He was prepared on Tuesday, if Ms. Fuller was not accepted, to offer another candidate who fulfilled
what Councilman Moot indicated except with one major baggage not there which was the intent of the one year
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Minutes
April 22, 1995
Page 16
hiatus for appointment to the Council. Former two time mayor and councilmember, Frank Scott, had discussed with
him, even though he had sent a letter that he felt Susan Fuller was unquestionably the most qualified, would be
willing to serve. He did not withdraw his candidacy. He indicated in his letter that he too had been through a
number of appointments and felt that Susan Fuller would serve this community and council well. For that reason,
he stepped aside. Frank Scott would serve the City equally well, and he provided the dimension of his good
background in fiscal knowledge and accountabiIity. We do have other options.
Mr. Boogaard stated that the Council could make a motion on 4/51h vote if you find it too late to be agendized, but
important enough not to wait until the next meeting. Or Council could call a continuance of this meeting at a special
meeting.
M (Rindone) to call a continuance of this special meeting to follow the regular City Council meeting on
Tuesday, April 25.
Mayor Horton stated that she was not going to go tierward with what she suggested because she did not feel that
we were working toward a resolntion. She did nut believe Mr. Scott would get three votes.
Motion seconded by Councilman Padilia.
Vote on Motion: Motion approved 4-0.
Mayor Horton adjourned the Special Meeting at 5:08 p.m.
Respectfi. dly submitted,
Beverly A.~uthelet, CMC/AAE
City Clerk
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