SALINAS CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING
January 16, 2007
Mayor Donohue convened the meeting at 4 p.m.
Present:
Mayor Dennis Donohue
Councilmember Janet Barnes
Councilmember Tony Barrera
Councilmember Gloria De La Rosa
Councilmember Jyl Lutes
Councilmember Sergio Sanchez
Councilmember Steve Villegas
Also Present:
City Attorney Vanessa Vallarta
City Clerk Ann Camel
COMMENDATION
Mayor Donohue commended Bruce Lewis, Salinas Golf Operations
Manager, for receiving the Professional Golfers Association Bill Strausbaugh
Award.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Bill Freeman asked what can be done to encourage residents
to report leads in crimes such as that of the recent shooting of an eight-year
old girl.
Larry Dykes, SUBA Vice-President, stated that Salinas is
working with the Soledad Street community on the prostitution-free zone, and he
thanked the Police Department for their efforts. He provided an update on discussions regarding mobile vendors.
Joe Vierra stated that the Hebbron Heights Center’s weeds are being
removed, and the same needs to be done at the Armory. The prostitution-free zone should be implemented.
Mayor Donohue encouraged the public to come forward and use the
anonymous
tip line if necessary to assist with the apprehension of criminals. The shooting has the full attention of the
City Council and Police Department.
Councilmember Villegas requested notice of any press release relating to
major incidents such as shootings or homicides.
Councilmember Lutes stated that the Gang Task Forces’ efforts should be
highlighted, including the innovative gang-elimination initiative involving
twelve cities.
CONSENT RESOLUTION
Consent Item No. 8, East
Salinas Area Streetlights
Councilmember Sanchez stated that lighting would help to reduce crime in
this area, which has had insufficient lighting since its annexation.
Al Espindola, East Salinas resident, asked whether the yellow lighting
can be replaced by white, higher powered lights.
Councilmember De La Rosa stated that there are three or four lights out
between Boronda and McKinnon. Residents
should be invited to report light outages.
Consent Item No. 9, Comments to the PUC regarding Alisal Water
Company’s Service Extension
Councilmember Sanchez commended staff for their efforts on this item,
and
more needs to be done.
COUNCIL ACTION
Upon motion by Councilmember De La Rosa and second by Councilmember
Barnes, Council voted unanimously to adopt the Consent Resolution.
1.
Approved minutes of
meetings of January 9, 2006.
2. Accepted financial claims report.
3. Adopted
RESOLUTION 19139 approving the agreement between the City of Salinas and
Liebert Cassidy Whitmore to participate in the 2007 Consortium training.
4. Adopted
RESOLUTION 19140 approving plans and specifications for the Pump Station
Back-up Generator Installation at Mill Lake, Las Casitas and Airport Pump
Stations, Project 9124 and authorize bid opening on February 27, 2007.
5. Adopted
RESOLUTION 19141 to approve appropriation transfer in the amount of $235,000
of sewer and development fee revenues and approve Balancing Change Order No. 9
in the amount of $170,321.94; and accept the 2004 W. Rossi Street-West Lake
Street Sanitary Sewer Trunkline Direct Bury and Recondition Improvements,
Project 9850, West Rossi Street Slurry Sealing Project 9438 and 2004 Lake
Street- Bridge Street Sanitary Sewer Trunkline Direct Bury and Recondition
Improvements, Project 9852, for maintenance and responsibility.
6. Adopted
RESOLUTION 19142 establishing the Policy for Speed Bumps in Salinas
Alleys and thereafter approve the installation of speed bumps on Melody Lane as
detailed in the staff report, in accordance with the Speed Bumps in Alleys
Policy.
7. Adopted
RESOLUTION 19143 of support for the Salinas United Business Association’s
“Vision 2017” Initiative.
8. Adopted
RESOLUTION 19144 authorizing the direct purchase of streetlight
materials from McCain Incorporated for the East Salinas Area Streetlights,
Phases IX, X, XIV, Project Nos. 9037, 9041, and 9042 in the amount of $159,512.02.
9. Adopted
RESOLUTION 19145 authorizing the City Manager to Submit Comments to
California Public Utilities Commission Resolution W-4630 regarding Approval of
Alisal Water Corporation's Service Area Extension (Advice Letter No. 107).
CONSIDERATION
1. Salinas Municipal
Aquatics Center.
Jorge Rifa, Deputy City Manager, stated that the pool is fifty-eight
years old and has reached the end of its useful life. The Salinas Valley Aquatics organization withdrew from the
project in early 2006 when project costs for the two-pool concept escalated
considerably. The Salinas City Pool
Foundation continues to raise funds and has a cash balance of approximately
$1.4 million. The proposed no-frills
facility would increase the pool size by approximately fifty percent. The final design would provide some
enhancements that would include a spray ground as a bid alternate and a water
slide as a future improvement. The
single pool concept was approved by the Recreation-Park Commission and the
Salinas City Pool Foundation. Two
public workshops were convened in late 2006.
Mr. Rifa stated that staff issued a second request for proposals for the
final design and consulting services during construction. Staff recommends that Glass Architects be
selected, which is also the lowest bid.
Their team includes landscaping, lighting, construction, and design
engineers. Staff acknowledges concern
regarding a construction budget shortfall.
Anticipated revenues include $3 million from the Crazy Horse Landfill
proceeds; $543,00 from City annexation fees; $1,290,000 in federal grants,
$1,616,000 from State grants, and $2.3 million from fundraising. Construction would start in winter 2007-08,
with the pool opening in February of 2009.
The existing facility would remain open until completion of the new
facility next to it. There could be a
reuse of the existing facility as a multi-purpose room, which would require an
investment over time and as funding permits.
The current Capital Improvement Program budget is $8,567,000, so an additional
$900,000 in funding would be sought.
Deputy City Engineer Carl Niizawastated that the estimates include
inflationary costs during construction.
Joe Vierra stated that the pool should not be repaired if it is
functioning.
Recreation Commissioner Al Espindola recommended that Council accept the
recommendation. The current pool has
mold and ventilation issues, and the cost of patching and repairing would not
be recouped.
Councilmembers spoke in support of the need for a safe pool and not
continuing to pour money in the facility that is past its useful life.
Councilmember Sanchez expressed concern regarding the withdrawal of
Salinas Valley Aquatics fund-raising group.
He will support staff’s recommendation, but would like to work with Hartnell College, Alisal
High School and other underutilized resources.
Councilmember Sanchez would like staff to provide a follow up report on
the financing.
Mayor Donohue asked about possible cost overruns. The construction of the pool needs to
happen, and it should be clearly stated that it is a calculated risk.
In response to Councilmember Barrera, City Manager Dave Mora stated that
this is a one-time investment, which includes one-time revenues.
COUNCIL ACTION
Upon motion by Councilmember De La Rosa and second by Councilmember
Lutes, the Council voted unanimously to adopt RESOLUTION 19146 authorizing
execution of an agreement for professional services between the City of Salinas
and Glass Architects for Design Services related to the new Municipal Aquatic
Center, Project 9761 for $717,000.
STUDY SESSION
1. Salinas
Downtown Community Board (“SDCB”) – “New Chinatown Community Planning Project”
SDCB Co-Chairperson Larry Hirahara invited the
City Council to tour the project area.
SDCB Co-Chairperson Tom Melvillestated
that in March 2005, the Buddhist Temple hosted a community summit regarding the
future of the Chinatown neighborhood, which resulted in the creation of the
SDCB. The SDCB is an unincorporated
community-based organization consisting of twenty-four members. Their purpose includes advising government
and other stakeholders on quality of life in the downtown, and they are
focusing on the Chinatown neighborhood initially. They would like to create a China Town project plan. CSUMB received a $600,000 HUD
grant to
assist to this end. Ken Feske has been
hired as the project director. There
will be a new Chinatown charrette in March.
He outlined their seven priorities:
1) public safety, security, and sanitation; 2) Code enforcement; 3)
community services; 4) reconnecting New Chinatown with downtown; 5) public
transit/affordable housing; 6) preserving cultural heritage; and 7)
infrastructure improvements.
Linda Sanchez, Sun Street Centers, spoke in
support of the proposed strategy.
Seth Pollock, CSUMB, highlighted the March
community planning charrette
Frank Saunders stated that this is a critical
project for the Soledad Street area.
Ken Feske stated that they hope for ad hoc
representation of the City Council on the Committee.
Councilmembers commended the SDCB.
Councilmember Lutes stated that there is
considerable progress; however, the City Council is not a close part of
collaboration. She would like Council
to receive copies of the 1987 Phase II Redevelopment Action Plan and subsequent
Agency implementation plans.
Councilmember De La Rosa stated that homelessness
needs to be addressed. She thanked Seth
Pollock and the collaborating agencies.
It is crucial that Monterey County participate, and funding should come
from the federal government and Monterey County as well as the City.
Councilmember Barnes suggested that mental health
issues should be specified in the priority list. Improved lighting may be warranted to reduce crime, and
additional police resources may be needed.
Councilmember Sanchez compared the New Chinatown
and New Alisal initiative. The SUBA
business improvement area initiatives should be looked at, such as dedicated
police officers. A residents’ academy
for Code enforcement is needed. A
community clean up is needed. The
dilapidated chain link fence should be replaced with something nicer. The City Council should commit to a ten-year
plan to eliminate homelessness.
Sidewalks and streets that can be fixed quickly should be identified,
and improved lighting is needed.
Mayor Donohue stated that this would be tough
despite the good will. If this can
happen, anything in the community can happen.
He is requesting that a resolution of support be included on next week’s
consent agenda.
Mr. Melville asked the resolution to appoint City
Councilmembers to a subcommittee, and they requested that key City staff
participants be identified.
The City Council recessed at 6:05 p.m. and
reconvened at 6:30 p.m..
PRESENTATION
1. Salinas
Youth Commission Work Program.
Sheila
Molinari, Recreation Service Manager, introduced Youth Commissioners in
attendance: Savannah Goodwin, Jacob
Quesenberry, Vanessa Dowell, Jack Leach, Amanda Verala, Edward Cortez, Nicole
Cortez, Garrett Sabaska, Page Colijn, and Natalie Arista.
Chairperson
Goodwin stated they have held five meetings since October. She reported on the Commission’s activities,
including plans to address attendance, appointments that still need to be made
and developing service learning opportunities.
Councilmember
De La Rosa stated that she would seek representatives from El Sausal Middle
School.
In response
to Councilmember Lutes, Ms. Goodwin stated that it would be helpful for the
Commission to meet with the City Council more often. She invited the City Council to attend their meetings on the
second and fourth Mondays of each month.
Councilmember
Barnes referred the Commission to the League of California Cities for
information on other Youth Commissions.
Councilmember
Barrera thanked the parents for attending the meeting as well.
Commissioners’
reasons for joining the Commission included that it is important to become
involved in the community and the positive experience of siblings who
previously served on the Commission.
Responses to things they would change included having more activities;
more diversity for more ideas; and more socializing between high school and
middle school students;
Mayor Donohue
stated that Salinas is a city of young people, and their perspective is
important. Public safety is important. The public is asked to come forward with
information regarding crimes, e.g. the 8 year old who was shot, and the
perspective needs to change for that to happen. Young people can help in this regard.
Councilmember
Sanchez asked about the Council Committee that meets with the Youth
Commission. Mayor Donohue suggested
that they attend one of the Commission’s upcoming meeting. Mr. Rifa suggested that the Committee meet
with the Youth Commission in February.
COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS/FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS/TRAVEL AND MEETING
REPORTS
·
Measure V Sales Tax Revenue Oversight Committee
Appointments.
Councilmember
Barrera appointed James Washington to the Measure V Committee, and he
introduced Mr. Washington.
Councilmember Barnes reappointed Matt Ottone. Councilmember De La Rosa appointed Diana Martinez, who is a
former Traffic Commissioner and a Manager of First National Bank. Councilmember Sanchez reappointed Jose
Castaneda; Councilmember Lutes reappointed Lauren Cercone; Councilmember
Villegas reappointed Rose Colon; and Mayor Donohue reappointed Jack Briscoe.
Councilmember
Barnes reported that she has been invited to visit Sister City Cebu, which
will prevent her from attending the
January 23 meeting.
Councilmember
Sanchez would like to know how to rename City streets, e.g. Kilbreth, which
would eliminate the gang association in some cases.
Councilmember
De La Rosa reported that Raven Court’s street sign has been tagged, as has a
stop sign at the corner of Madera and Saint Edwards.
ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned at 7 p.m..
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