City Council Meeting - February 01, 2011

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Herb Weiner, who welcomed attendees to the Tuesday, February 1st, 2011 meeting. A roll call was conducted, with Councilmember Pfeiffer, Councilmember Leon, Councilmember Ford, and Mayor Weiner all present ▶ 📄 - ▶ 📄. Dr. Thornton then led the Pledge of Allegiance ▶ 📄 - ▶ 📄. Following the pledge, Mayor Weiner indicated an intent to move the consent calendar ▶ 📄.

The consent calendar was introduced without any discussion or presentation from councilmembers. The Mayor indicated readiness to move the consent items ▶ 📄.

Herb Weiner noted there was no public comment on the agenda approval ▶ 📄. Jonathan Leone and Linda Pfeifer moved and seconded the approval ▶ 📄. Herb Weiner called for a vote, with no opposition noted ▶ 📄. After approval, there was light discussion about the meeting being televised and a new TV camera for internet streaming, with Jonathan Leone reassuring attendees they are not being monitored like in Timberon ▶ 📄.

Intern David Weatherford introduces the '900 Club' recognition for students achieving a combined score of 900 or higher on English Language Arts and Math standardized tests from Bayside Elementary, MLK Academy, and Willow Creek Academy. Superintendent Debra Bradley explains the significance, noting the state previously set a bar of 800, making 900 a notable achievement ▶ 📄. School board members and Willow Creek Academy head Carol Cooper are introduced. Mayor Weiner and councilmembers Pfeifer, Ford, and Leone congratulate the students, expressing pride and emphasizing community unity across the Sausalito-Marin City area ▶ 📄, ▶ 📄, ▶ 📄. Superintendent Bradley then reads the names of recognized students from grades 3 through 8, with certificates distributed.

The meeting transitions to public comments on non-agenda items, with Herb Weiner noting two names, starting with Amy Blakeney ▶ 📄. No presentation or discussion specific to the Consent Calendar item occurred in the provided transcript segment.

Amy Blakeney, a board member of FireSafe Marin, presented on fire safety and beautification along Highway 101. She requested: 1) a letter of support from the City of Sausalito to Caltrans for an interregional transportation enhancement project to remove exotic invasive species and plant native vegetation to reduce wildfire risk ▶ 📄; 2) assistance in applying for a FireSafe Council matching grant for restoration of an eight-acre site off Rodeo Drive by April 1st ▶ 📄; 3) removal of eucalyptus and exotic vegetation from city-owned property to lead by example ▶ 📄; and 4) dialogue with GGNRA to permanently remove non-native trees from eastern slopes bordering Sausalito and Marin City ▶ 📄. John Flavin followed with questions about pension calculations from a previous meeting, seeking clarification on gross dollar changes from 2011-2012 to 2016-2017 and details on a CalPERS buyout figure of $43 million, asking if it was gross or net and if it included a 7% markup ▶ 📄.

Councilmember Carolyn Ford moved to approve the consent calendar. Councilmember Jonathan Leone sought clarification on item 4C regarding the need for outside counsel for the Saucyde Boat Yard project. City Manager Mary Wagner explained that the item approves a legal services agreement with Best Best and Krieger, specifically to continue utilizing Linda Backman's expertise in public contracting assistance, as her previous firm disbanded. She provided examples of her work on the Sausalito Yacht Harbor bid process and public safety building. Leone confirmed the focus is on public contract bidding law and compliance, not negotiations. ▶ 📄

Associate Planner Lilly Schinsing presented a status update on the Housing Element Update, including a revised roadmap/work schedule approved by the Housing Element Committee (HEC). The roadmap outlines tasks, deadlines, and responsibilities for completing the housing element, including public workshops, site inventory, goals/policies/programs, and environmental review. ▶ 📄 Councilmember Leone questioned the timing of evaluating past housing elements (1995 and draft 2005/2006) and suggested incorporating successful past programs earlier; Schinsing clarified the evaluation is ongoing and will be reviewed by HEC on February 28th. ▶ 📄 Discussion focused on the facilitator selection for the first public workshop: HEC recommended a subcommittee (Vice Chair Cox and member Steve Flahive) to work with staff to select a facilitator. ▶ 📄 Councilmembers debated whether staff or the subcommittee should have final say on facilitator selection, with concerns about politicization and efficiency. ▶ 📄 Councilmember Pfeifer emphasized empowering resident committee members, while Councilmember Kelly and Leone stressed that staff should drive decisions and be accountable. ▶ 📄 Councilmember Ford moved to accept the HEC recommendations as presented, but after extensive debate, a substitute motion was made and voted on.

City Engineer Todd Teachout presented the preliminary work plan for the 2011 street repair program, developed with CSG, totaling $738,000 but trimmed to a budget of $509,000 with some streets as add alternates. ▶ 📄 The plan includes dig-outs (structural patches), slurry seals (surface treatment for moderately good roads extending life 5-7 years), and overlays (lasting about 20 years with maintenance). ▶ 📄 Key points: Sausalito Boulevard drainage issues will be addressed via pavement re-profiling and driveway modifications; a minor slope repair near Ebtide is included; San Carlos Avenue needs coordinated sewer and pavement work (sewer costs separate). ▶ 📄, ▶ 📄, ▶ 📄 Council discussion included: Councilmember Leone clarified dig-outs and add alternates, asked about sewer funding impacts and project scalability, and confirmed public ownership of streets like Harbor Drive and Marin Shipway. ▶ 📄, ▶ 📄, ▶ 📄, ▶ 📄 Mayor Weiner inquired about Third Street utility work delays. ▶ 📄 Councilmember Leone questioned funding source for the slope repair, suggesting exploration of other capital funds. ▶ 📄 Staff will refine plans and return in March for approval before advertising.

City Engineer Todd Teachout provided updates on three NMTPP projects: 1) Gate 6 Road to Ferry Landing Path Plan/Feasibility Study (draft completed, public workshop held, comments received, final report to return to council next meeting) ▶ 📄. 2) Ferry Landing to Bridgeway Improvement Project (design complete, submitted to Caltrans for environmental review and funding, aiming for spring or post-September construction) ▶ 📄. 3) Sausalito Stairs Project (focus on Filbert Stairs, easements secured, environmental review with Caltrans in progress) ▶ 📄. Teachout also mentioned seeking additional Safety Loo funds and requested authorization to solicit bids once federal approvals are received ▶ 📄. Council discussion included: Councilmember Leone questioning if Filbert Stairs align with NMTPP transportation goals and suggesting other stair projects might be more suitable ▶ 📄. Councilmember Ford agreed, emphasizing disaster recovery aspects and wanting to discuss other stair repairs ▶ 📄. Leone also suggested reactivating the bike/ped committee for community feedback ▶ 📄 and emphasized coordination with other projects like the Phil Frank memorial near the Ice House ▶ 📄. City Manager Politzer noted coordination was underway ▶ 📄. Leone clarified that current projects do not include changes to Humboldt Avenue alignment ▶ 📄.

Director of Public Works Jonathon Goldman presented the item, detailing the bid process and recommending award to Ray's Construction of Pomona, CA, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder at $4,221,248. ▶ 📄 The project budget requires a supplemental appropriation of $878,373, bringing the total to $5,078,373, which includes contingencies, lumber, construction management, and utility costs. ▶ 📄 Goldman explained the teaming agreement process to foster cooperation and potentially reduce costs. ▶ 📄 Councilmember Mike Kelly inquired about Ray's Construction's qualifications; Goldman noted their 23 years of heavy and marine construction experience, including work for local governments and Travis Air Force Base. ▶ 📄 Councilmember Jonathan Leone raised several concerns: questioning the need for an elevated boardwalk versus an at-grade walkway to save costs and avoid ADA issues, ▶ 📄 arguing that fire suppression costs should be the marina owner's responsibility, not the city's, ▶ 📄 and expressing broader concerns about project financing, cost-sharing, land ownership, and loss of city leverage in negotiations. ▶ 📄 City Manager Mary Wagner noted that fire suppression improvements were driven by fire department comments for the entire peninsula and that permitting compliance would need review if the boardwalk design changed. ▶ 📄 A representative from Ray's Construction expressed willingness to participate in teaming/partnering. ▶ 📄

City Manager Adam Politzer provided three brief updates: (1) Confirmed the strategic planning retreat is set for Friday, March 25th, as discussed at the previous council meeting ▶ 📄. (2) Announced a special city council meeting on St. Patrick's Day, March 17th at 4 p.m. at the Bay Model to swear in and meet the new police chief, Jennifer Tejada, followed by a reception until about 5:30 p.m. ▶ 📄. (3) Noted he will be attending the City Managers Conference in Monterey after the meeting, through Friday afternoon ▶ 📄. Mayor Mary Wagner and Councilmember Linda Pfeifer acknowledged the new police chief, with Pfeifer saying 'Thank you' ▶ 📄, ▶ 📄.

The item began with Mayor Herb Weiner announcing appointments: himself and Council Member Jonathan Leone to the legislative committee, and Council Member Linda Feiffer to another role ▶ 📄. Council Member Mike Kelly then introduced a motion to clarify the Housing Element Committee's status ▶ 📄. He proposed designating it as a task force with the sole purpose of assisting in preparing the draft Housing Element under the Community Development Department's direction, exempt from certain code sections (like 2.58) that govern ongoing committees ▶ 📄. The task force would have nine members: two council members (appointed by the mayor, who also appoints chair and vice chair), two planning commission members, and five citizens, and would dissolve once its work is complete ▶ 📄. Council Member Carolyn Ford sought clarification on membership count ▶ 📄, and Council Member Linda Pfeifer asked about the difference between a task force and an ad hoc committee ▶ 📄. Kelly explained it provides specificity under the code, avoiding term limits and ongoing responsibilities associated with regular committees ▶ 📄. Ford inquired about other major differences, and Kelly indicated none he was aware of ▶ 📄. The discussion was brief with no opposition noted.

Councilmember Linda Pfeifer requested two future agenda items: confirmation of the BAC economic study staying within current zoning designations, and transparency on MLK finance restructuring, which she learned about from a meeting with Charlie regarding pension liabilities and had questions and concerns ▶ 📄. Councilmember Carolyn Ford inquired about the timing of the BAC committee report presentation, wanting to meet with Rob Eiler before the council hears it ▶ 📄. City Manager Adam Politzer clarified that Rob Eiler is being invited to a council meeting to clarify the scope of his work and provide an update, with possible dates of February 15th or March 8th ▶ 📄. After discussion, consensus emerged to aim for March 8th to allow Councilmember Ford to meet with Eiler on February 17th ▶ 📄. Mike Kelly noted that March 8th aligns with Eiler's preferred timing from the BAC meeting ▶ 📄.

Councilmember Jonathan Leone provided brief committee reports. He mentioned a vacancy on the Historic Landmarks Board (HLB) and suggested considering applicants from the Planning Commission pool to fill it, noting terms are ending in April/May ▶ 📄. He also reported on the Marin Energy Authority (MEA), stating they awarded landfill gas contracts for green energy, hired Don Weiss as director at a reasonable cost, and improved their financial focus, making it a more functional entity than six months prior ▶ 📄. Mayor Herb Weiner indicated he would soon request formal committee reports ▶ 📄.