City Council Meeting - February 28, 2012

The meeting is called to order by Alice Merrill, with roll call conducted by Debbie. Council members Fyford, Weiner, and Ford (acting as interim mayor) are present. Closed session items are announced, including D1: conference with real property negotiation regarding MLK property and D2: conference with real property negotiation with GTE MobileNet of California. No public is present for comment. ▶ 📄 The meeting begins, ▶ 📄 roll call is taken, ▶ 📄 closed session items are listed, ▶ 📄 no public comment.

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited ▶ 📄. Mayor Adam Politzer acknowledged attendees and noted the start time ▶ 📄. He mentioned upcoming agenda items, including a lease discussion for the old fire station at 300 Spencer Avenue and items on the consent calendar ▶ 📄. The council invited public comment on closed session items, but no one came forward to comment at that time.

The meeting was called to order. Public comments were taken on items not on the agenda. Alice Merrill shared two announcements: (1) the potential construction of a ship in Sausalito designed after the Galilee by a local resident, organized by Call of the Sea, and encouraged community enthusiasm ▶ 📄. (2) She noted the garbage/recycling issue was not on the agenda but urged the council to address recycling more aggressively when it is discussed ▶ 📄. The council then approved the minutes from February 7th ▶ 📄.

The item began with procedural discussions about roll call attendance and a motion to accept the agenda with changes ▶ 📄. Councilmember Debbie referenced Finance and Omid meetings and had a question about a committee ▶ 📄. The chair asked if there were any substantive comments on the communications items, noting that only clarifications were appropriate at this stage ▶ 📄.

The item begins with unclear dialogue, possibly referencing another agenda item, as there is discussion about a request for additional scope for OPEB (Other Post-Employment Benefits) and pension projections, with a cost of $1,500 to $2,000, and mention of no recommended action by the Finance Committee ▶ 📄. However, this does not directly relate to the approval of minutes. The transcription provided does not contain any substantive discussion or presentation specifically about approving the minutes of the February 7, 2012 meeting. The dialogue is fragmented and seems to pertain to a different financial matter.

The consent calendar discussion included updates on the budget and compensation study. Debbie inquired about including private sector and federal employee comparisons in the compensation study ▶ 📄. Charlie Francis noted the study involves 12 comparator agencies in California, all cities ▶ 📄. Item 4E (antenna lease) was pulled for separate discussion; Debbie explained the lease includes a relocation clause with costs split between parties, and the term was reduced to an initial five years with one five-year extension due to uncertainty about the building's fate ▶ 📄. Abbott Chambers, the new city librarian, introduced himself and provided a library update, covering goals like weeding outdated materials, launching new collections, and preparing for a library makeover in August 2012 ▶ 📄.

City Librarian Abbot Chambers presented an update on library initiatives, focusing on weeding outdated materials to improve browsing and space, with 30% of the collection not checked out in over three years, indicating more work needed. ▶ 📄 New programs include a bestseller collection with high turnover (80% checked out), Kindle e-reader loans to introduce e-reading, and promotion of the MarinNet Digital Downloads e-book collection, where Sausalito has improved from last to first in usage among Marin libraries. ▶ 📄 A revised library makeover plan keeps the children's area in its current location but adds a sound-blocking storefront to address noise issues and moves reference materials to centralize popular collections. ▶ 📄 Future goals include expanding children's and adult programs, collaborating with schools, and launching a Link Plus interlibrary loan service. Councilmembers expressed support, with Adam Politzer noting the smooth transition and community support ▶ 📄, and Debbie praising Chambers' work and innovative ideas ▶ 📄.

Charlie Francis presented the mid-year budget review, projecting a net deficit of $65,000 due to revenues being $7,000 higher than anticipated but expenses higher than projected. Key points: General fund is relatively balanced; 63% of revenues come from property taxes; 52% of budget is for public safety; sales tax is a small portion but shifts tax burden to visitors. Expenditure pressures include workers' compensation in the fire department requiring a $300,000 supplemental appropriation, and a $108,000 increase for planning due to housing element work. ▶ 📄 He highlighted that benefits costs are growing faster than salaries. ▶ 📄 The fiscal outlook is tenuous due to dependence on the upcoming annexation election. ▶ 📄 Councilmember questions focused on overtime details, labor cost trends, and illiquid reserves. ▶ 📄 Councilmember Debbie emphasized the need for long-term planning for pension obligations. ▶ 📄

Director of Public Works Jonathon Goldman, City Engineer Todd Teachout, and Public Works Division Manager Loren Umbertis presented updates on the 2011 Street Improvement Project and maintenance division activities. The street project, awarded in July and commenced in October, is 99% complete with final acceptance expected in March, at or below budget. Key accomplishments include concrete street reconstruction on 3rd Street (Richardson to North), private utility undergrounding, first-time asphalt paving on Watery Street, sidewalk construction via a grant, street overlays on Woodward and Upper Seal, Safe Routes to School sidewalks, and drainage improvements. Specific sites highlighted: Ebtide slope stabilization, corporation yard water quality upgrades, Sausalito Boulevard flood mitigation, and Glen/Curry intersection drainage corrections. ▶ 📄 Councilmember Debbie praised the work and positive resident feedback. ▶ 📄 Loren Umbertis then detailed maintenance division responsibilities: custodial, streets/facilities, fleet, and wastewater crews. They manage parks, landscaping, public facilities, street repairs, signage, storm drainage, graffiti removal, and regulatory compliance. Wastewater crew focuses on preventing sanitary overflows, with improved performance metrics. ▶ 📄 The department is exploring technology for public reporting and potential revenue generation through shared services. ▶ 📄 Council discussed park maintenance schedules and specific needs like Cypress Ridge. ▶ 📄 Councilmembers expressed appreciation for the department's progress and quality of work over the years. ▶ 📄

City Attorney Mary Wagner and City Manager Adam Politzer presented on the next steps for the fire consolidation annexation election following LAFCO's approval. The presentation covered election timing options (June, August, or November), ballot language requirements, and the process for calling a special election. Key discussion points included: Councilmember concerns about rushing a June election and needing more time for public information ▶ 📄, discovery that the city's campaign finance ordinance on the website was incorrect ▶ 📄, and debate over scheduling a special meeting on March 9th to consider election timing. Councilmembers expressed divergent views on timing, with some advocating for later dates to allow for more public engagement and others wanting to keep options open.

The item involved a brief discussion primarily about temporary bathroom facilities downtown, with Councilmember Debbie inquiring about their appearance and location ▶ 📄. Staff clarified that porta potties are placed in lot two, and a new temporary facility, likely hard-plumbed and located in lot two, is being considered ▶ 📄. The conversation then shifted to a reference about the Finance Committee discussion on OPEB/pensions, noting it would be addressed during the budget cycle ▶ 📄. Councilmember Adam Politzer made general comments praising city staff and their work, specifically mentioning engineering feats and positive community feedback on projects like Watery Street ▶ 📄.

City Manager Adam Politzer and an unknown speaker discuss various city projects and challenges. They highlight the successful completion of the Easterby retaining wall project, praising the cooperation with vendors and attention to resident needs ▶ 📄. The discussion shifts to deferred maintenance on sewers and storm drains, noting this is just the beginning of addressing long-term infrastructure needs ▶ 📄. Politzer emphasizes the importance of the upcoming budget cycle and priority calendar process, mentioning $100,000 allocated for consultants to help preserve community assets like a building in the Marin shipyard ▶ 📄. He also notes the city's focus on enforcing existing parking laws rather than creating new ones ▶ 📄. The conversation covers an upcoming memorial event for Amy at the Bay Model, scheduled for 4 PM on a family-selected date ▶ 📄. Finally, Politzer discusses shared services with other cities, using examples like animal control, library book sharing, and potentially sharing an arborist with neighboring cities to reduce costs ▶ 📄. Councilmember Debbie suggests exploring shared composting services and requests a presentation on GASB 54 for long-term financial planning ▶ 📄. Politzer acknowledges a $65,000 budget gap that needs addressing ▶ 📄.

Councilmembers discussed potential future agenda items, primarily focusing on pension-related issues. Debbie emphasized the need for long-term pension planning beyond the current five-year forecasts to address a $65,000 deficit and future obligations ▶ 📄. An unknown councilmember countered that long-range projections are often inaccurate and that major pension decisions are controlled by CalPERS, not the council ▶ 📄. Alice Merrill requested adding support for Governor Brown's pension reform proposal to a future agenda, suggesting it be placed on the consent calendar ▶ 📄. Adam Politzer expressed support for discussing the pension reform plan soon ▶ 📄. Another topic raised was the need for a briefing on the Major Crimes Task Force JPA, including its budget and value to the community, potentially with Sheriff Doyle presenting ▶ 📄. The mayor noted the discussion was becoming a debate and cut it off to focus on receiving requests ▶ 📄.

The discussion focused on committee reports, with mentions of sustainability, operational expenses, and specific issues with MIRA (likely a local organization or initiative). Councilmembers indicated that reports should come from those sitting on the committees, and there was a suggestion for Captain Rohrabacher to provide an update on MIRA, as meetings are held twice a year ▶ 📄. The conversation was brief and transitional, leading into the next agenda item.