SALINAS CITY
COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
DECEMBER 18, 2007
The meeting convened at 4 p.m..
Present:
Mayor/Chairperson Dennis Donohue
Council/Agency member Janet Barnes
Council/Agency member Tony
Barrera
Council/Agency member Gloria De La Rosa
Council/Agency member Jyl Lutes (arrived at 4:15
p.m.)
Council/Agency member Sergio Sanchez
Council/Agency member Steve Villegas
CITY OF CHAMPIONS
Mayor Donohue presented a commendation to Tony Royal for his
service on the Grievance Board.
Councilmember Barnes recognized District 3 clean up
volunteers.
PRESENTATIONS
Train Trestle Committee
Madeleine Clark, Leadership Salinas Class XXV Valley Train
Trestle Committee, stated that Union Pacific has concerns regarding the
proposed mural interfering with their inspections of the trestle at North Main
and Market Streets. However, Union
Pacific and CalTrans are receptive to fresh paint on the trestle and painting a
panoramic view on the abutments. The City would have to adopt a resolution in support and agree to
maintain it. They would like to launch
a capital campaign.
Coalition
to Protect California’s Government and Budget
Leo Briones, Coalition to Protect California's Government
and Budget, stated that they oppose the referendum that would rescind the
gaming compacts approved by the State.
He stated that the California tribes’ gaming compacts generate State
revenues, which has reduced the State budget deficit by nearly one-third.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mary Turner, Central
Coast Center for Independent Living, requested the City Council to waive the
rent for the Santa Lucia Room on Saturday, April 12, 2008 for a free health
conference.
Joe Vierra asked the
City Council to support State execution of convicted criminals.
Alberto Murillo
requested support for teaching of chess as a recreational opportunity within
Salinas’ elementary schools.
Angel Garcia,
Salinas tow operator and Robin Vargas, Quality Towing Company requested that
their concerns regarding Salinas’ tow program be considered on a future agenda.
Mr. and Mrs. Garcia,
Century Towing, expressed concerns regarding alleged inequities in inspections
of towing companies.
COUNCILMEMBERS’
REPORTS, APPOINTMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember
Sanchez appointed Alberto Murillo to the Library Commission.
CONSENT RESOLUTION
COUNCIL ACTION
Upon motion by Councilmember De La Rosa and second by Councilmember
Barnes, the Council voted unanimously to adopt the Consent Resolution.
SALINAS CITY COUNCIL
1.
Approved minutes of
December 11, 2007 meeting.
2.
Accepted financial
claims report.
3.
Adopted ORDINANCE
2481 introduced on December 11, 2007 to amend Chapter 37 of the Salinas
City Code by classifying approximately 2,400 acres located north and east of
East Boronda Road between San Juan Grade Road and Williams Road that is to be
annexed into the city limits as New Urbanism Interim and as all properties in
the Future Growth Area are subject to the preparation and approval of a
Specific Plan, it will also be subject to the provisions of the Specific Plan
Overlay District.
4.
Accepted Financial
Report for the month of November 2007.
5. Adopted
RESOLUTION 19382 approving amendments to the Department Directors’
Compensation Plan.
6. Adopted RESOLUTION 19383 approving the
renaming of the Hebbron Heights Recreation Center, 683 Fremont Street, to
Hebbron Family Center/Centro Familiar de Hebbron.
7.
Adopted RESOLUTION
19384 authorizing and directing the filing of an Environmental Enhancement
and Mitigation Program Grant application for the East Market Street
Beautification Project.
8.
Adopted RESOLUTION
19385 adopting the employee-funded ICMA Retirement Corporation VantageCare
Retirement Health Savings Plan.
9. Adopted
RESOLUTION 19386 amending the City Attorney’s employment agreement.
10. Adopted RESOLUTION
19387 approving the Lease Amendment No. 7 to the Lease with Wells Fargo
Bank, N.A., for 65 West Alisal Street.
SALINAS
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
1. Approved minutes of December 11, 2007
meeting.
2. Approved
financial claims report.
The Redevelopment Agency adjourned.
The City Council
recessed to closed session at 5:22 p.m. pursuant to:
a. Government Code Section 54956.8, conference with real property negotiators Dave Mora, City Manager; Vanessa Vallarta, City Attorney; Jorge Rifa,
Deputy City Manager; and Jim Pia, Recreation-Park Superintendent to discuss the
price and terms of payment for the lease of the Firehouse Recreation Center
located at 1330 East Alisal Street, Salinas, with Ernest Velasquez, California Executive Director, La Union
del Pueblo Entero (LUPE).
b.
Government Code Section
54956.9(c), conference with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation –
two potential cases.
c. Government Code Section 54957, public
employee performance evaluation (City Manager.)
The City Council reconvened in the
West Wing Conference Room at 6 p.m. to meet in study session with
Assemblymember Anna Caballero .
STUDY
SESSION
1. State Legislative Priorities and
Budget
Assemblymember Caballero reported on State legislation that
would benefit Salinas’ residents.
Assemblymember Caballero is sponsoring a bill that would
provide upfront funding for public/private partnership projects. She requested a list of estimated costs for
Salinas projects that would generate an income stream and may benefit from
advance funding.
Councilmember
De La Rosa requested assistance to eliminate the derogatory label of “special
education.” Councilmember De La Rosa
would like more vocational funding and assistance in addressing California’s
nursing shortage.
In
response to Councilmember Lutes, Assemblymember Caballero stated that Salinas
and Salinas Valley cities that are meeting their affordable housing goals could
consider resolutions in support of Senate Bill 303.
Councilmember
Sanchez stated that he would like legislation that would help restrict access
to markers used for graffiti. He would like to tax guns and bullets in
order to restrict them and to offset community costs relating to gun violence. The Education Code should require
supervision of expelled students who become vandals and delinquents when
unsupervised during school hours. He
would like training and employment opportunity funding for Monterey County,
including youth employment. Dia del Nino
should be a holiday similar to Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day, not as a paid holiday
but to focus on children, similar to Mexico.
Mayor
Donohue reviewed a list entitled “State
Legislation Follow-up” list reflecting three tiers of legislative priorities
for Salinas.
In
response to Councilmember Barnes, Assemblymember Caballero stated that she
would have to further analyze Assembly Bill 1256 to determine if it could be
clarified for the benefit of affordable housing advocates who are concerned
about density bonus exemptions for inclusionary housing ordinance provisions.
Assemblymember
Caballero stated that the budget deficit in September was $8 billion to $10
billion and is now projected at $14 billion.
The Vehicle-in-Lieu Fee that was rescinded by the Governor would total
$6 billion. The California voters
approved the $15 billion economic recovery in March 2004, which she did not
support because of the $3.5 billion in payments. However these two revenues could eliminate the projected
deficit.
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m..
APPROVED:
____________________________
Mayor
Dennis Donohue
ATTEST:
__________________________
City Clerk Ann Camel
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