City Council Meeting - April 30, 2019

The transcription consists of introductory radio station identification and musical or poetic interludes, with no discernible council meeting content, presentation, or discussion related to an agenda item. ▶ 📄 Radio Sausalito identification is broadcast. ▶ 📄 Mayor Burns asks a question, but context is unclear.

Mayor Burns called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM with a welcome and roll call ▶ 📄. Councilmember Ray Withey was absent due to illness. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Brianna ▶ 📄. There were no closed session announcements or public comments on closed session items. Councilmember Joan Cox recommended adding public comment to special presentations explicitly on the agenda ▶ 📄. Vice Mayor Susan Cleveland-Knowles clarified that Item 7D would be split into two parts (7D1 Martin Luther King and 7D2 Southview and Dunphy) due to Councilmember Cox's conflict of interest, as she lives in the vicinity and will recuse herself ▶ 📄.

The Mayor introduced the item for special presentations, specifically noting the presence of individuals related to the municipal water district. There was a brief procedural discussion about the order of presentations, with Susan Cleveland-Knowles suggesting placing new workers ahead, but it was clarified they were in the municipal water district section. The Mayor indicated they would start with items 1B through 1C and called up Susan Patterson. ▶ 📄

Susan Patterson, HR Manager, introduces new employee Louis Raffa, hired on April 8th as a Sewer Maintenance Worker I. She highlights his background in underground construction, sewer, water, and gas lines, previous private sector work in trenchless sewer repair, and past roles as a landscaper and in retail. She notes he is an East Bay native, a loving father and husband, and excited to work for Sausalito ▶ 📄. Mayor Burns welcomes him ▶ 📄, ▶ 📄.

Human Resources Manager Susan Patterson introduced Guillermo Mejia, hired on April 1st as a Maintenance Worker II. She highlighted his over 18 years of extensive public works experience from the Town of Corte Madera, covering areas like sanitary sewer, flood control, building and park maintenance, street sweeping, graffiti removal, and more ▶ 📄. He is retired from Corte Madera and joined the city. Additional qualifications include CPR, AED, and first aid training, over 30 hours of safety and health training, graduation from the Albert Einstein College in San Salvador and the Abrook American Air Force Academy in Panama, and 14 years of military experience as a sergeant major in San Salvador ▶ 📄. He is noted for taking pride in providing high-level customer service. Mayor Burns welcomed Guillermo ▶ 📄. After the introduction, Susan Patterson immediately moved on to introduce another employee, Amina Beporia, for the finance department, starting March 21st as a senior accountant, detailing her accounting experience and educational background ▶ 📄.

The item involved the introduction of Amena Baporia as a Senior Accountant by Susan Paterson, the Human Resources Manager. Mayor Burns humorously asked Amena if she had found any extra money ▶ 📄, to which Susan Patterson responded that she was looking ▶ 📄. The introduction was brief and concluded with thanks.

Chief John Rohrbacher introduced Briana Dolcini, noting she was hired in July of the previous year but the formal swearing-in was delayed due to scheduling. He highlighted her background: growing up in a Sonoma County ranching family, earning degrees in early childhood education and psychology from Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University. ▶ 📄 He shared that her experience as a teacher prepared her for handling potentially unpleasant interactions, like writing parking tickets. ▶ 📄 The oath was administered, and her fiancé, David, pinned her badge. ▶ 📄 Briana expressed her love for Sausalito, thanked the city and department for the opportunity, and acknowledged her family, friends, and fiancé for their support. ▶ 📄 Mayor Burns extended congratulations to Briana and other new employees. ▶ 📄

Charlie Duggan, MMWD Treasurer, presented a proposed rate increase consisting of a 4% annual operating revenue increase over four years and a new capital maintenance fee to fund infrastructure replacement, moving away from borrowing. The fee is based on meter size, with a standard 5/8" meter costing about $163.50/year, potentially phased in over five years to reduce initial impact. The proposal aims to address aging pipes (some over 100 years old), pump stations, seismic retrofitting, and adds $1M/year for wildfire prevention. Duggan compared MMWD rates to other Bay Area agencies, noting MMWD is currently among the lowest. Council questions included: Cox on pipe-lining technology vs. replacement ▶ 📄, the disparity in fee amounts for larger meters ▶ 📄, using impact fees instead ▶ 📄, the lack of a long-term (75-100 year) infrastructure plan ▶ 📄, and meeting transparency ▶ 📄; Cleveland-Knowles on phasing and placing the fee on property tax vs. water bill ▶ 📄, ▶ 📄; Burns on whether the fee would stabilize rates during droughts ▶ 📄; and Cleveland-Knowles on county-wide coordination of tax measures ▶ 📄.

Public comment period for items not on the agenda. Mayor Burns explained the rules ▶ 📄. Ben Farrell, representing South Salud Cruising Club, thanked the city for improved communication on the Dunphy Park project and shared historical photos to illustrate the club's vision for the waterfront ▶ 📄. Jeff Jacob spoke about pursuing legal action (pro se) after unsuccessful negotiations regarding Schoonmaker's Point Marina dock access issues, citing a personal promise to his mother ▶ 📄. No council discussion occurred.

The item was addressed with a second to the motion ▶ 📄, followed by a vote. Mayor Burns called for all in favor, and the minutes were approved with a vote of four to zero ▶ 📄.

Councilmembers reported on committee meetings attended. Jill Hoffman noted attendance at the Marin County Councilmembers and Mayors (MCCMC) meeting with a presentation on smokeless tobacco targeting school-age children ▶ 📄. Susan Cleveland-Knowles reported on the MCCMC Homeless Committee meeting, highlighting the mobile shower program expansion, the Opening Doors Marin initiative on chronic homelessness, and Marin Housing Authority updates on Section 8 and public housing projects ▶ 📄. She also mentioned outreach efforts with Mayor Burns to families with young children in Sausalito, including meetings with parent groups and plans for a future listening session ▶ 📄. Joan Cox attended a General Plan Advisory Committee meeting, ABAG/MTC Housing Legislation Committee meetings, and discussed the merger of SB50 and SB4, detailing exemptions for historic districts and coastal zones, and changes to bus stop criteria ▶ 📄. Mayor Burns reported on representing MCCMC at the North Bay League of Cities Legislative Day in Sacramento, covering SB4, SB50, SB5, and meetings with Senators regarding ADU funding ▶ 📄.

The consent calendar was moved for adoption by Councilmember Joan Cox at ▶ 📄, with a second. Mayor Burns called for a vote, and it passed unanimously with a vote of four to zero ▶ 📄. No discussion or presentation of individual items occurred.

City Attorney Mary Wagner presented a sidewalk vending ordinance to comply with state law SB 946 (Safe Sidewalk Vending Act), which prohibits cities from banning push-cart and stationary sidewalk vendors but allows reasonable time, place, and manner regulations. Key provisions include: a permit requirement; restrictions on sidewalk obstructions (must maintain 48-inch clearance); stationary vending only on sidewalks at least 10 feet wide (rare in Sausalito); hours of operation (8 AM to 7 PM/sunset in residential zones, 7 AM to 10 PM in commercial zones); prohibitions in residential and mixed-use zones, within 200 feet of farmers markets or special events, and in a defined downtown area due to congestion and safety concerns ▶ 📄; and penalty structures with fines and permit revocation for repeat violations. Council discussion included: Councilmember Cleveland-Knowles inquired about existing interest (staff noted a couple of inquiries, e.g., hot dog and ice cream vendors) ▶ 📄 and confirmed the downtown prohibition includes Gabrielson Park ▶ 📄. Mayor Burns asked about the definition of vending (selling goods, not services like bike tours) ▶ 📄 and permit display. Councilmember Cox, as part of the legislative committee, emphasized the ordinance addresses downtown congestion while complying with state law ▶ 📄. Councilmember Cleveland-Knowles suggested treating it as a pilot, with staff tracking permit inquiries and reporting back after summer ▶ 📄.

Community Development Director Lilly Whalen introduced the item, noting the contract with M Group began in 2017, and the project is currently in the visioning phase. M Group's Heather Hines presented a revised work plan and requested a budget amendment of $90,593. Key modifications to Task 13 include: facilitating meetings between the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) and city boards/commissions; adding a dedicated Marinship workshop, subsequent GPAC meeting, and council study session; and incorporating an economic analysis of the Marinship. Hines explained the need for additional project management hours due to the extended timeline and emphasized efforts to maintain an October 2020 completion date by working on the policy framework concurrently with stakeholder outreach. ▶ 📄. Council discussion revealed concerns about the number of GPAC meetings (28 held vs. 18 initially planned), unclear policy direction from GPAC, and the scope and value of the proposed Marinship economic analysis. Councilmember Cleveland-Knowles expressed that the analysis should be forward-looking, evaluating economic impacts of different land-use scenarios (e.g., status quo, moderate change) rather than a static survey of existing conditions. Mayor Burns questioned whether the data would provide a clear nexus for future decisions. Councilmember Cox highlighted timing pressures and the GPAC's desire for more data to make informed policy recommendations. The council directed M Group to revise the economic analysis scope to focus on evaluating multiple future scenarios for the Marinship and to return for approval on May 14th. It was also agreed that future GPAC updates to the council would be business items, not consent items, to allow for council confirmation of policy direction. ▶ 📄.

Vivian Housen and consultant Kim Baylor presented the sewer rate study. The city's sewer system is aging (most pipes 80+ years old) and requires capital investment. The study considered infrastructure replacement rates: a 3% annual pipe replacement would require ~12% annual rate increases, while a 2% replacement aligns with a 4% annual increase. ▶ 📄 Councilmember Susan Cleveland-Knowles questioned the dramatic cost difference between 3% and 2% replacement. ▶ 📄 Vivian explained the capital cost proportion drives the difference. ▶ 📄 Kim detailed the financial plan, showing operating costs (~$2M/year), debt service, and capital needs. ▶ 📄 There was discussion about a net increase of ~400 EDUs (Equivalent Dwelling Units) since 2014, attributed to reclassification and ADU amnesty. ▶ 📄 Council noted significant bill increases for single-family homes versus minimal increases for attached units due to water usage differences. ▶ 📄 A typo in rate increase numbers was identified and corrected. ▶ 📄 The timeline under Prop 218 involves a 45-day comment period leading to a June 18 hearing. Councilmembers favored the 4% increase scenario (2% replacement) as prudent and flexible, allowing for downward adjustment based on public comment.

Yulia Carter presented the mid-year budget review, explaining it as a standard process to assess year-to-date revenues/expenditures and make adjustments reflecting economic conditions. She outlined a three-step methodology: 1) Correct discrepancies between the council's approved budget direction and the actual resolution (Attachment 2), 2) Incorporate previously approved budget amendments (Attachment 3), and 3) Identify new material revenue/expenditure changes based on projections (Attachment 5). Key points included an $8M increase in appropriations largely due to interfund transfers and corrections, such as a $775,000 pension contribution that was missed in the resolution but counted multiple times in adjustments ▶ 📄. General fund revenues are up 2%, with a structural surplus projected, leaving a $3M unassigned fund balance ▶ 📄. Councilmembers expressed confusion and lack of confidence due to the complexity, late receipt of materials (Saturday before meeting), and discrepancies in the prior year's budget resolution. Jill Hoffman strongly opposed approval, citing insufficient time to verify the $9M in changes and questioning the validity of the original budget vote ▶ 📄. Susan Cleveland-Knowles and Joan Cox also favored postponement for further review, though Cox indicated trust in the staff's work ▶ 📄. Mayor Burns noted the need to catch up on budget timelines but acknowledged concerns.

Andrew Davidson and Mike Langford presented updates on MLK Park, Dunphy Park, and Southview Park. For MLK Park, the field project started in November 2023, halted for winter rains, and resumed in April 2024, with completion anticipated by mid-June. Change orders total approximately $39,000. The tennis court project started in March 2024, with unforeseen subbase issues leading to an additional $30,000 in costs, with reopening expected by end of June. A proposal to reconfigure basketball courts to include pickleball courts was presented at an estimated cost of $80,000. ▶ 📄 Mike Langford discussed a landscaping plan for MLK Park, developed in partnership with Sausalito Beautiful, which includes 100 trees and 32 bushes at an estimated cost of $50,000, with planting planned for fall 2024. ▶ 📄 Council discussion included questions about funding for landscaping and pickleball, with City Manager Adam Politzer noting potential funding sources including Measure O funds and unspent MLK roof funds. ▶ 📄 For Dunphy Park, Loren Umbertis presented a budget augmentation request of $161,388 to cover additional design, construction administration, and change orders due to unforeseen conditions like trash material and groundwater issues. The project is now anticipated to be substantially complete by July 4, 2024. ▶ 📄 A separate proposal for $85,000 in bocce court lighting was discussed but not included in the motion. Southview Park is scheduled to begin construction in June 2024, with a 90-day timeline.

City Manager Adam Politzer indicated he had nothing to add at that late hour but was available to answer council questions ▶ 📄. Mayor Burns then transitioned to discussing H.C. appointments to boards, noting they heard from two P-back interviewees that night, with one spot open and one person unable to attend, allowing for a future interview ▶ 📄.

The council discussed appointments to fill vacancies on boards and commissions. Mayor Burns clarified that due to Russ Irwin's resignation, Bjorn Gripenberg (liaison from MCBC) would move from alternate to full member, leaving an alternate position vacant ▶ 📄. There was confusion about staff recommendations regarding this move ▶ 📄. The council interviewed candidates including Randy Brown, Jordan Hosmer, and Regan Fulton. One applicant (Doretta) was unavailable for interview and lived outside city limits ▶ 📄. Councilmembers debated whether to appoint an alternate immediately or wait for future interviews ▶ 📄.

Mayor Burns opened the item to solicit future agenda items from councilmembers ▶ 📄. Joan Cox noted that the renewal of the emergency declaration would be heard on the 14th, not the 28th ▶ 📄. The Mayor acknowledged this, and with no other items, moved to adjourn ▶ 📄.