City Council Meeting - June 28, 2016

The meeting was called to order by an unknown speaker who welcomed attendees to the June 28, 2016 South Salido City Council meeting ▶ 📄. City Clerk Lily conducted the roll call, confirming attendance of Councilmembers Weiner (present at ▶ 📄, Theodorus (present), Pfeiffer (here), Vice Mayor Withee (here at ▶ 📄, and Mayor Hoffman (present at ▶ 📄. The speaker noted that items D1 through D2 would be discussed in closed session and asked for public comment on closed session items, receiving none ▶ 📄.

The meeting moved to public comment for closed session items, but no members of the public approached to speak ▶ 📄. The city council then adjourned to closed session to discuss potential litigation under Government Code section 54956.9(e)(1) and a conference with a real property negotiator under section 54956.8 ▶ 📄.

The meeting is called to order by Jonathon Goldman, though the transcription provided is incomplete and cuts off mid-sentence, indicating the start of proceedings but lacking substantive discussion or presentation details.

The meeting begins with a welcome and introduction of the new PA system. The City Clerk conducts roll call for councilmembers: Councilmember Pfeiffer, Councilmember Weiner (present at ▶ 📄, Councilmember Theodorus (present at ▶ 📄, and Mayor Hoffman (here at ▶ 📄. All members are present.

Leon Hunting led the council in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance ▶ 📄. Following the pledge, there was a brief informal discussion about removing jackets due to the warm conditions in the historic building, with councilmembers agreeing to do so ▶ 📄.

The item was introduced with a brief exchange of thanks and acknowledgments. The council announced that there were no closed session announcements ▶ 📄. The council then asked for public comment on closed session items, and seeing no one, moved on to the next agenda item.

The item begins with a procedural motion to approve the agenda ▶ 📄. Councilmember Pfeiffer raises a question about reconsidering a prior council decision regarding the Caledonia Street matter, specifically about a moratorium on financial services to protect resident-serving businesses from eviction ▶ 📄. City Attorney Mary Wagner clarifies the rules for reconsideration, noting it can be done at the next meeting if approved by the council ▶ 📄. Pfeiffer makes a motion to reconsider the council's prior consensus to allow discussion of a moratorium, citing urgency due to potential business evictions ▶ 📄. Councilmember Politzer notes that a moratorium wouldn't prevent evictions but could halt new financial service applications ▶ 📄. Wagner explains that staff needs time to research and justify a moratorium, with the next opportunity in July ▶ 📄. Pfeiffer's motion is seconded, and Councilmember Tom argues against it, stating there's insufficient evidence and public input, and that it short-circuits proper process ▶ 📄.

The discussion primarily revolved around procedural matters related to reconsidering a previous agenda item concerning Caledonia Street, rather than special presentations or mayor's announcements. Councilmember Pfeiffer sought to reconsider a prior direction given to staff, motivated by new information about potential evictions of local businesses like Lily Shahabi's salon and a neighboring dog shampoo business, with financial services possibly moving into ground-level spaces ▶ 📄. City Attorney Mary Wagner clarified procedural options, including a motion to reconsider or adding a new agenda item for a future meeting ▶ 📄. Councilmember Tom requested specific details about the at-risk addresses and businesses ▶ 📄. Ultimately, Councilmember Pfeiffer withdrew the motion to reconsider and opted to raise it as a future agenda item ▶ 📄.

Council Member Pfeiffer requested an amendment to the minutes for June 14, 2016, specifically on page 3 of 8, regarding consent calendar items 4A and 4H. Pfeiffer suggested that when items are pulled off the consent calendar, the minutes should include the item titles (e.g., 'Complete Streets Policy') for clarity and record-keeping purposes ▶ 📄. The City Clerk acknowledged the request and agreed to add the titles. After confirming no opposition, the council approved the amendment ▶ 📄. Council Member Tom then moved to approve the minutes of June 14 and June 21 as amended by Pfeiffer, which was seconded and passed unanimously ▶ 📄.

The item involves the formal approval of the FY 2016-17 budget and related resolutions. The presentation by staff covered: (1) The GANN limit appropriation, showing the city is well below its property tax limit. (2) The total budget appropriation of $15,951,690 for the general fund and $35,189,850 net of transfers for all funds. (3) Authorized staffing levels of 74 full-time positions, including an increase for a parking enforcement officer, and adjustments to part-time wage ranges. (4) Terms of a loan from the general fund to the Martin Luther King (MLK) Complex Fund, setting a 3% interest rate and 14-year amortization. (5) A request for staff and the Finance Committee to return with a master fee schedule update and pension/OPEB trust fund policy in the first quarter. The budget enhances services, including landscape maintenance, capital projects (e.g., city hall beautification, MLK complex improvements), parks completion, community development software upgrades, and police additions like license plate readers. Fund balances remain healthy, with the general fund at over 25%. Council discussion included thanks to staff and the Finance Committee for their work, with Councilmember Theis noting the budget process was smooth due to extensive preparation. However, Councilmember Pfeifer expressed inability to support the budget due to concerns about the South Gateway project placeholder, indicating he would vote against it but support other motions if taken separately. ▶ 📄

The City Council discussed and adopted the FY2016-17 budget. Councilmembers expressed gratitude to Administrative Services Director Melanie Purcell and staff for their extensive work in preparing a balanced and resilient budget that invests across capital projects, pensions, and departmental needs. ▶ 📄 The budget reflects years of building a strong financial system with ample reserves. ▶ 📄 A series of motions were made and seconded to adopt the budget and related resolutions.

The item involved a presentation by Open Space Sausalito (OSS) representatives Leon Hunting, Bill Monet, and biologist Jennifer Berry, with an update from City Attorney Mary Wagner. OSS successfully purchased the Hunt family's 50% interest in the Butte Street property, fulfilling the condition for the city's donation of its 50% interest. The property is a significant wildlife habitat with a historic spring (Waldo Spring), supporting over 100 bird species, coyotes, bobcats, and other wildlife. OSS raised funds through community donations, HOA assessments, and an $82,000 grant from Caltrans/Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM). The next steps are to finalize a conveyance agreement where the city transfers its interest to OSS via quit claim deed, and a conservation easement granted by OSS to Marin Open Space Trust (MOST) to ensure perpetual open space protection. Council discussion expressed strong support and appreciation for the community effort. Councilmembers praised the public-private partnership, highlighted the ecological value, and emphasized liability transfer. ▶ 📄 Leon Hunting thanked the council and detailed the fundraising success. ▶ 📄 Bill Monet explained the property's ecological significance as a riparian area and wildlife habitat. ▶ 📄 Jennifer Berry provided biological findings, noting the property's critical role for urban wildlife. ▶ 📄 Mary Wagner outlined legal next steps, including the conveyance and conservation easement. ▶ 📄 Councilmember Tom clarified enforcement of the easement. ▶ 📄 The Mayor and other councilmembers commended the effort, with Herb recalling appointing Leon to the task force four years ago ▶ 📄, and Tom expressing initial doubts but ultimate admiration ▶ 📄.

Fire Chief Chris Tubbs presented a high-level summary of the Southern Marin Fire District's activities over the past year, including completion of an ISO review that improved Sausalito's insurance rating from class 5 to class 2 ▶ 📄, deployment of OpenGov for transparency, and a stakeholder-driven strategic planning process that informs the budget. He highlighted ongoing work on a deployment analysis to assess resource allocation and response times. In response to a council request, he provided preliminary response time data for Station 1 (which serves Sausalito and GGNRA): 9:27 in 2013, 9:44 in 2014, and 10:12 in 2015, but noted these are unfiltered for call criticality and include GGNRA responses ▶ 📄. Council questions focused on response times and service levels post-annexation. Councilmember Withey expressed concern about the length of response times and questioned the impact of losing a second fire engine at Johnson Station, but City Manager Adam Politzer clarified staffing levels have not changed since annexation ▶ 📄. Chief Tubbs explained that travel time is largely uncontrollable due to infrastructure and location, and that the district uses automatic aid agreements for major incidents ▶ 📄. Councilmember Herb noted that bicycle traffic and calls to GGNRA could inflate response times ▶ 📄. Councilmember Perrazzo (also a fire board member) stated the board reviews response times monthly and that the district meets National Fire Protection Association standards ▶ 📄. Chief Tubbs emphasized his confidence in regionalization benefits and committed to returning with more refined data from the deployment analysis by July or August ▶ 📄. Council discussion included appreciation for the strategic plan, calls for future analysis comparing pre- and post-annexation service levels, and debate over bicycle accident statistics.

Public Works Director Jonathon Goldman presented on the need to reject the sole bid received for the Gate 5 Sewer Replacement Project due to excessive cost. The bid for 1,300 linear feet of 8-inch PVC sewer pipe was approximately $1,200 per linear foot, which is at least double the typical market rate in Marin County ▶ 📄. The high cost is attributed to challenging site conditions in the Marin Ship area, including tidal groundwater requiring expensive shoring, dewatering, and water treatment during construction ▶ 📄. The project is a high priority because the Gate 5 area is the most significant source of inflow and infiltration (I&I) of cold seawater into the sewer system, which compromises treatment plant efficiency and violates EPA order requirements to reduce peak wet weather flows ▶ 📄. Staff will re-evaluate the design and constructability to reduce contractor risk and may rebid later when more contractors are available to increase competition ▶ 📄. Councilmember questions clarified that the project only involves public mains, not private laterals ▶ 📄, and inquired about potential design changes to lower costs.

Public Works Director Jonathon Goldman presented the need to adopt a Complete Streets policy to comply with Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) requirements for eligibility for OBAG II grants, specifically for the Gate 6 Road intersection improvements project. He explained that failure to act could jeopardize $500,000 in funding. The original proposal included adopting a policy, but due to concerns, alternatives were offered: a resolution committing to incorporate Complete Streets principles in the next General Plan update, with additional language directing staff to follow MTC's implementation and exception guidelines for OBAG II-funded projects. Council discussion revealed concerns about linking the policy to the South Gateway project and ensuring public input. Councilmember Theodorus proposed limiting the directive to OBAG II-funded projects ▶ 📄. Councilmember Pfeiffer sought to include public hearing requirements, but this was not accepted as a friendly amendment ▶ 📄.

City Manager Adam Politzer provided updates on several topics: (1) 4th of July parade and events are ready, with good weather anticipated ▶ 📄. (2) Robin Sweeney Park opening on Saturday at 11 AM, with high community anticipation ▶ 📄. (3) Second public forum on short-term vacation rentals scheduled for tomorrow at 6:30 PM at the Bay Model, which will be recorded and posted online ▶ 📄. (4) An online town hall survey on short-term rentals has received 120 visitors, with 56% supporting regulations and 44% supporting a ban ▶ 📄. (5) A report on short-term rentals is expected at the second council meeting in July ▶ 📄. (6) Special recognition was given to Melanie Purcell and department heads for the smooth budget process, noted as a milestone in Politzer's tenure ▶ 📄. Council discussion included: clarification on the forum time ▶ 📄, reappointments to the Business Advisory Committee ▶ 📄, and a question about potential cost overruns for Robin Sweeney Park to meet the July 4th deadline, to which Politzer had no information ▶ 📄.

Council discussed potential future agenda items. Councilmember raised an email about Schoonmacher Beach parking concerns but noted limited information ▶ 📄. Councilmember requested a presentation from Community Development on Plan Bay Area 2017 scenarios and regional housing allocations, emphasizing early engagement to influence numbers before they are finalized ▶ 📄. Councilmember echoed the importance of timely public comment on Plan Bay Area, noting unclear deadlines ▶ 📄. Councilmember reiterated a prior request to invite the Sausalito Marin City School Board president to discuss issues including a potential bond measure, with the liaison indicating a likely September timing ▶ 📄.

The meeting concluded with brief farewells from participants, including an unknown speaker saying 'Bye' and Tom speaking mid-sentence ('are always going to be'), followed by an unknown speaker expressing thanks ('Thank you. There we go.') ▶ 📄. No substantive discussion occurred.