City Council Meeting - June 04, 2013

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, June 4, 2013. Roll call was taken, confirming attendance of all councilmembers ▶ 📄. The Mayor noted a closed session was held on litigation matters (SCAF vs. Sausalito and Clipper Harbor vs. Sausalito) and invited public comment on those items, but none was offered ▶ 📄. The agenda was approved unanimously ▶ 📄.

City Librarian Abbot Chambers presents on the completed remodel of the Sausalito Public Library, highlighting the new enclosed children's area and redesigned living room. He expresses gratitude for the Sausalito Library Foundation's $115,000 matching grant and logistical support, which made the project possible. Key contributors recognized include Foundation President Barbara Geisler and board member Joanne Goldschmidt, who provided design expertise and supervised furniture installations. ▶ 📄 The Mayor presents a Certificate of Appreciation to the Foundation. ▶ 📄 Councilmembers praise the remodel: Ray Withy commends the pride it brings to the city ▶ 📄, an unnamed councilmember (possibly Pfeiffer) apologizes for missing the celebration but lauds the transformation, especially the children's area ▶ 📄, another councilmember appreciates the community-wide collaboration and movable stacks that enhance the library as a community center ▶ 📄, and Thomas Theodores notes the progress in partnership and thanks for the children's room reducing disruptions ▶ 📄.

The council discussed approving the minutes from the May 21, 2013 meeting, with clarifications provided via email by the city clerk ▶ 📄. Councilmembers reviewed specific edits, such as changing numbers to words in a paragraph for clarity ▶ 📄. The discussion was brief and procedural, focusing on ensuring accuracy before approval.

The consent calendar was presented as requiring no decision and expected unanimous council support. Councilmember Pfeiffer sought clarification on item 4E (pier project), confirming it was solely for rehabilitation of the fishing pier with grant funds, not adding boat docking or scope creep ▶ 📄. Councilmember Theodores raised a question about the bidding process for capital projects, specifically asking if multiple bids were obtained for items like the sewer rate study and fishing pier ▶ 📄. Public Works Director Jonathan Goldman responded that multiple proposals were received for the rate study, but only one for the fishing pier, which was from a reputable firm ▶ 📄.

Andrew Davidson introduced the Waste Characterization Study, funded by a $24,000 grant from the Marin County JPA, aiming to identify materials in the landfill that could be recycled or composted to work towards zero waste by 2025. ▶ 📄 Michelle Leonard of SCS Engineers presented the study's methodology and results, which involved manual sorting of waste samples from residential (single-family up to 4 units and multifamily 5+ units), commercial, Molly Stones, public receptacles, and roll-off boxes. ▶ 📄 Key findings: 67% of Sausalito's waste is currently recoverable through existing recycling/composting programs, with compostable organics (especially food waste) and paper being the largest components. ▶ 📄 Recommendations focused on education/outreach, increasing public recycling bins, and enhancing commercial food waste programs. ▶ 📄 Council questions included clarification on sampling definitions (single-family vs. multifamily), seasonal variations, current diversion rates (~60%), cost impacts for businesses (none), and low-hanging fruit like improving food waste participation and commercial recycling. ▶ 📄 Councilmembers emphasized the need for public outreach and addressing challenges in multifamily/commercial compliance. ▶ 📄

Administrative Services Director/Treasurer Charlie Francis presented the fiscal year 2013-14 draft budget, focusing on fiscal sustainability, infrastructure investment, and maintaining services. The revised budget shows a general fund surplus of $30,000, up from $17,000. The presentation linked the budget to the council's priority calendar, detailing funding for items like the EPA order ($2,073,000), financial planning ($10,000), and bicycle congestion mitigation ($125,000 grant). Public Works Director Jonathan Goldman highlighted specific capital projects: Gate 6 Road signal modifications (grant-funded, multi-jurisdictional), Harbor to Gate 5 Road improvements (grant-eligible), South City Limits to Richardson bike/pedestrian project ($125,000 planning grant with public outreach), and the STAIR program disaster evacuation map (draft near completion). ▶ 📄 Francis emphasized labor reforms (pension tiers, OPEB, healthcare) saving about $50,000 per new hire, with high staff turnover expected. ▶ 📄 Reserves are strong: liquid at 27% ($2.6M) and total at 77% of general fund. ▶ 📄 Council discussion included: Councilmember Pfeiffer raised concerns about future CalPERS increases (50% starting 2015) and Series B bond payments (starting 2026), advocating for setting aside surplus funds and public transparency. ▶ 📄 Councilmember Theodores clarified that Series B bonds are paid via property taxes, not city budget, and noted pension reforms address rising costs. ▶ 📄 Francis explained the fire annexation benefits, including absorbing overtime costs from injured firefighters. ▶ 📄 Pfeiffer requested a public summary of future financial obligations. ▶ 📄

Staff presentation by Jonathon Goldman and City Manager Adam Politzer proposed amending the master fee schedule to authorize the city manager (as parking manager) to set flat-rate pricing for municipal parking lots 1-4 during periods of high demand, to increase revenue and manage parking supply. ▶ 📄 Councilmember Pfeiffer raised concerns about whether residents would be exempt from flat-rate fees during their three free hours. Staff clarified the resolution does not prohibit charging residents, leaving discretion to the city manager. ▶ 📄 Councilmember Pfeiffer expressed strong concerns about fairness to residents, suggesting the resolution should explicitly exempt residents from flat-rate fees. ▶ 📄 Councilmember Withy supported the proposal, citing common practice in other cities and the need for parking management during events like America's Cup. ▶ 📄 Another councilmember suggested limiting flat-rate authority to non-residents initially. ▶ 📄 Discussion included operational feasibility of differentiating residents via parking software ▶ 📄, variable pricing strategies, and the importance of clear public communication for special event pricing. ▶ 📄 Councilmember Pfeiffer reiterated concerns about impacts on seniors and social events like Jazz by the Bay, and motioned to limit the resolution to non-residents. ▶ 📄 City Attorney Mary Wagner advised researching legal implications of differential pricing for residents vs. non-residents. ▶ 📄

Director of Public Works Jonathon Goldman presented the item, seeking parking regulations for safety and traffic flow improvements. The regulations include: installing 110 feet of red curb (no parking) on Ebbtide Avenue at the T-intersection near MLK Campus to improve sight distance for southbound traffic ▶ 📄; adding about 50 feet of red curb on the opposite side of a bump-out on Ebbtide to ensure two-lane operations ▶ 📄; implementing 3-hour parking limits on both sides of the east-west segment of Ebbtide on school days (7am-4pm) to increase turnover for school drop-off/pickup ▶ 📄; establishing a no-parking zone on the north side of Coloma Street near the MLK Campus entrance for sight distance safety ▶ 📄; and reinstating a short no-parking zone at 600 Sausalito Boulevard to protect a driveway ▶ 📄. Councilmember Pfeiffer inquired about the number of parking spaces lost (estimated ~7 spots) and flexibility in parking usage in the dog park area; Goldman confirmed no anticipated reduction in flexibility ▶ 📄, ▶ 📄. Councilmember Theodores asked about enforcement of the 3-hour parking; Goldman indicated parking enforcement does patrol the area and will enforce ▶ 📄.

City Manager Adam Politzer provided updates on several city matters. Harrison Park (Mary Ann Sears Park) is nearing completion, with a tentative ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for Saturday, June 15th, chosen to align with Mary Ann Sears' birthday (June 10th) per community interest ▶ 📄. Councilmember Pfeiffer noted unavailability but others could attend ▶ 📄. Special event season is underway: Caledonia Street Fair had good attendance but weather impacted stay length; Blues and Jazz by the Bay had a successful kickoff with perfect weather ▶ 📄. The Fourth of July parade is approaching, and councilmembers are asked to secure vehicles or request assistance for participation ▶ 📄. The library held a soft grand opening with well-attended events and is expanding into a community center with diverse activities ▶ 📄. Todd Teachout's retirement will be recognized at the June 18th meeting, with a celebration party on June 20th in the Edgewater Room; Politzer praised Teachout's contributions as an 'unsung hero' ▶ 📄. Three meetings remain before the summer break, and councilmembers are encouraged to submit any new agenda items ▶ 📄.

Councilmember Pfeiffer reiterates the importance of establishing an Arts Commission, noting it has been pushed for over three years, and expresses excitement about the Bike Committee moving forward. ▶ 📄 He emphasizes Sausalito's global reputation for artists and the need for an Arts Commission, asking about applicant numbers but not receiving a specific answer. ▶ 📄 Ray Withy checks for public comments before moving to the next item.

Councilmember Pfeiffer reported on a successful Coast Guard Auxiliary event during National Safe Boating Week, distributing 150 free life jackets and coloring books to children ▶ 📄. Councilmember Thomas Theodores suggested a future agenda item to formalize policies on how council members represent the city's position versus personal opinions when interacting with outside agencies ▶ 📄. There was brief agreement from other council members to add this topic to a future agenda ▶ 📄. Ray Withy provided an update on downtown taxi cab parking, noting they are allowed on El Fortel until 1:00 PM, after which they are redirected ▶ 📄.

The discussion focused on taxi operations and parking regulations in Sausalito. Ray Withy explained adjustments to taxi stands, including using a red zone near Bank of America until 1 PM, after which it becomes a cab stand accommodating eight cabs ▶ 📄. Councilmember Pfeiffer expressed concern over reduced downtown parking, noting the area previously had resident/visitor parking and opposing the change ▶ 📄. Thomas Theodores highlighted challenges in getting cabs at Spencer Avenue and suggested pressing the Marin Managers committee or JPA to address licensing and service issues, as cabs congregate downtown due to tourism ▶ 📄. Ray Withy clarified that licensed cabs in Marin can operate anywhere, but Sausalito attracts them due to tourism and runs to San Francisco, leading to new regulations like designated taxi stands and prohibitions on soliciting ▶ 📄. Adam Politzer recommended a future discussion with JPA representatives like Paul Berlant or Jeff Rawls to explore regulatory authority and options, as the JPA manages enforcement ▶ 📄. Councilmember Pfeiffer also commented positively on the Caledonia Street Fair, praising its unique crafts and community spirit despite windy conditions ▶ 📄.

The meeting concluded with a brief adjournment process. Joanne Goldschmidt thanked the participants ▶ 📄, and Jonathon Goldman expressed his favor, likely regarding the meeting's proceedings or a prior item, though it was during the adjournment ▶ 📄.