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SALINAS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING APRIL 27, 2007 Mayor Donohue convened the special meeting in the Community Center Gabilan Rooms at 3:30 p.m. Present: Mayor Dennis Donohue Councilmember Janet Barnes Councilmember Tony Barrera Councilmember Gloria De La Rosa Councilmember Jyl Lutes Councilmember Steven Villegas Councilmember Sergio Sanchez (arrived at 5:15 p.m.) Also Present: City Manager Dave Mora City Attorney Vanessa Vallarta City Clerk Ann Camel PUBLIC COMMENTS Marilyn Clark stated that Leadership Salinas proposes to assist in beautifying an unsightly train trestle on North Main Street that is a City gateway. GOAL SETTING Dr. Richard Garcia, RJA Management Services, facilitated the City Council’s goal setting session. Mr. Mora reviewed the four goals and their objectives developed by the City Council on December 15^th and 16^th, 2006. 1. Economic Vitality Mr. Mora reviewed the economic development initiatives and appropriations approved by the City Council on March 20, 2007. The City Council prioritized projects and added the Westside Bypass as an objective. 2. Salinas as a City of Peace Councilmember Barrera spoke of the necessity for cleaning Closter Park and putting a ring on the basketball backboard. Mayor Donohue stated he would like a report to Council on May 15^th that outlines what would be necessary to revitalize the parks to an acceptable standard, including fiscal costs. Mayor Donohue suggested that a community clean up day for parks be organized in conjunction with an appropriate national event. Councilmember De La Rosa suggested that there be a Salinas Clean Up Day. Mayor Donohue stated that his working group is considering identifying the ten worst eyesores in Salinas. Councilmember Sanchez arrived at 5:15 p.m. 3. Image of the Community Mayor Donohue stated that he would like to be able to include non-Salinas residents on the Arts Council. The Beautification Council would be a separate body. Councilmember Sanchez stated that he would want district representation and that there should be at large representation also. Mayor Donohue stated that he will ask Councilmember Barnes to lead the subcommittee on the establishment of Councils. Councilmember Sanchez would like to pursue the Adopt a Highway program concept that was initially conceived in partnership with CalTrans, Congressman Farr, and the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. They visualized that it would have be staffed by the Youth Corp with support from the Neighborhood Services and Volunteer Services. However, the initiative did not proceed because the support positions were eliminated during the fiscal cutbacks. Councilmember De La Rosa stated that Monterey County provides vouchers for trash pick up for residents who adopt an area to clean up. She is working with volunteers who are adopting an area on Laurel Extension. The City should support the residents who are volunteering their time, e.g. they did not receive safety vests. City staff should be coordinating neighborhood events. Mayor Donohue stated that additional volunteers are needed as a component of the Neighborhood Services program. 4. Consistent Community Outreach and Engagement Mayor Donohue stated that he would like to have a professional public relations firm develop the City newsletter and web site. The logo should also have professional input. Councilmember Sanchez stated that City Resource Pamphlet should be translated into Spanish and expanded. Councilmember De La Rosa stated that the brochure should be printed professionally in a glossy brochure form. Mayor Donohue stated that the cost should be included in the next budget cycle. Mayor Donohue stated that the Neighborhood Services Coordinators are working on a work plan. However, he would like a communication strategy that encompasses mailings, e-mails, and door hangars to communicate effectively with the community. Councilmember De La Rosa stated that she would like a bilingual commercial about Salinas, not just a public service announcement. Mr. Garcia suggested that Salinas needs a public information officer. Councilmember Sanchez stated that there is insufficient promotion of positive events in Salinas, nor is there a point person when the media calls. Councilmember Sanchez stated that regarding empowering Commissioners refers to the need for Commissioners to respond to the community beyond attending the Commission meetings. They could assist the Councilmembers in being responsive to the community for those Councilmembers who would like this assistance. He is delegating inquiries to Commissioners. Councilmember Sanchez stated that a budget had been allocated for establishing Neighborhood Councils before the City’s budget crisis. Mr. Mora suggested that the District Neighborhood Councils could be the Commissioners. The Neighborhood Coordinators would bring the Commissioners together. Every couple of months, the Councilmember would meet with their Council during a meeting scheduled by the Neighborhood Services Coordinators. Councilmember Sanchez stated that this might be a interim step until Councils similar to Los Angeles’ could be established. Councilmember De La Rosa asked for protocol on adopting a Sister City. Mayor Donohue stated that he will establish a committee, and Leadership Salinas is addressing this. REVISED GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The goals and objectives were revised as follows and priorities for objectives are indicated in bold font. GOAL-- Economic vitality – develop / enhance / protect an expanded local economic base Develop a comprehensive economic development strategy inclusive of: - a review of internal issues, capacity, structure, pipeline, accountability - review of public policy, incentives, land - outreach and education initiatives - provision of dedicated resources - high profile visibility Develop a focused, results-oriented collaborative implementation program for economic development centered in a independent Economic Development Corporation and including elements such as: - Salinas Valley Enterprise Zone Designation - Training and jobs for youth and young adults - Building affordable housing - Bringing well paying, clean industry jobs to the City - Increasing tourism - Expanding the City’s tax base - Promoting growing economic expansion - Opening communication with regional agencies and elected officials - Improving public transportation in Salinas - Improving traffic circulation in Salinas - City-wide code enforcement - Environmental Justice - Work with tourist and business groups and community to market Salinas - Become a world trade center site - Promote events Proposed projects Caltrain Extension Westside Bypass Airport Boulevard / 101 Interchange Carr Lake Re-use – open space / drainage / potential “in-fill” development / Amphitheatre Facility NESTEC development proposal Future growth area annexation and development Airport Business Park Fresh Express expansion / Expanded agricultural production area annexation Unikool site redevelopment Medical facilities on Abbott Downtown Redevelopment inclusive of: - Soledad Street Redevelopment - Downtown Parking Program - Downtown hotel - Intermodal Transportation Center Expanded Sunset / Buena Vista Redevelopment Area inclusive of: - Market Street Development / Parking - Alisal Corridor Development / Parking - Division Street redevelopment - Sy West / SYUFY property redevelopment GOAL – Salinas as a City of Peace Appoint a Community Safety Director with the responsibility to develop a comprehensive, collaborative community safety strategy to include: - Review of all community resources currently involved in promoting, fostering, and assuring community safety - Participation by all “stakeholders” - Review of similar efforts in other communities specifically using the NLC California Cities Collaborative as a base for information Specific efforts / elements to be reviewed and considered for incorporation in the overall strategy include; - Define policing for Salinas and establishing objectives for follow-up - Salinas Police Department resources and programs such as: Monterey County Gang Task Force School Resource Officers / GREAT Programs / DARE Programs Targeted community policing Neighborhood Watch – increased outreach – Council agenda report - City Community Services – Library / Recreation / Park resources and programs Parks Maintenance Needs Assessment -- *Council agenda report including cost information by May 15* Develop a Strategic Plan for Recreation inclusive of: Expand parks and recreation programs and after school programs Recreational centers / Expand soccer fields Build a culture of literacy - Other City resources and program Neighborhood services outreach coordinators Paramedics Complete and identify new street lighting programs Traffic congestion and traffic pedestrian issues Build new police facility Interact with Partners for Peace Support intervention/prevention organizations GOAL -- Image of the Community Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to enhance the City’s overall image including (but not limited to) the following elements: - Develop Arts Council § Promote public arts program § Promote music venues throughout Salinas § Promote Salinas as a film site § Accredited Art School in East Salinas - Develop a Beautification Council § Clean up City gateway areas / Improve signage at gateways § Overall beautification strategy for the City § Greening of Salinas / Reforestation of City, including Alisal § Replace planters and garbage cans § Remove illegal signage § Support graffiti abatement § Eliminate blight in the city § Adopt a City Logo / Slogan - Code Enforcement - Adopt Neighborhood / Park / Street / etc. Program GOAL – Consistent Community Outreach and Engagement Develop and implement a consistent and comprehensive Community-wide Communication, Outreach and Engagement Strategy inclusive (but not limited to) the following: - Educating community § Town Hall meetings by District § Reinstate City Newsletter § More Public Service Announcements / Press Releases § Bilingual communication § Enhanced City web site utilization § Engage and use the media - Neighborhood and Volunteer Coordinators § Explore Neighborhood Councils § Neighborhood clean up - City mailings, e-mails, door hangars; make sure everybody knows – City Resource Pamphlet - Train / Educate Commissioners - Support and Expand Sister City Program PUBLIC COMMENTS Gloria Moore stated that cities need to consider ways to reduce, reuse and recycle resources when they are available to mitigate the budget expansions and contracts. She believes the City should stop thinking globally and think locally. She appreciates the removal of weeds at the library. She appreciates the graffiti abatement program reinstatement. She would like more vehicle abatement and a report card on the accomplishment of Council goals; She expressed concern about needed maintenance at the Kern Street reclamation ditch, and prostitution on Kern Street. She believes Neighborhood Watch programs would remain vitalize if they also reported on Code violations and needed maintenance such as replacement of street lights. The recent agricultural conference should have been held in Salinas. Salinas’ website should be interactive. A communication media more dynamic than a newsletter is needed. Speed limits should be posted at more frequent intervals, particularly along Alisal Street approaching Main Street. Residents should e educated on traffic regulations. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m..
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