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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF SAN RAMON - COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 13, 1999

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of San Ramon was called to order on April 13, 1999 at 7:30 p.m. in the San Ramon Senior Center, 9300 Alcosta Boulevard, Mayor Athan presiding.
PRESENT: Councilmembers Hudson, Kinney, Raab, Welm and Mayor Athan
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Herb Moniz, City Attorney Bob Saxe, Police Chief Obie Anderson, Parks and Community Services Director Jeff Eorio, city Engineer Joye Fukuda, Planning Director Phil Wong, Administrative Services Director Jim Randall, Transportation Director John Dillon, Public Services Director Jim Estep, Building Services Director Don Rhoades, Economic Development Manager April Gray, Associate Civil Engineer Moustefa Kendroud, and City Clerk Judy Macfarlane

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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Webelo Scouts from Pack 203 - Golden View School led Council, staff and those present in the audience to the flag.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The City Manager announced the Transportation Advisory Committee scheduled for Thursday, April 15 had been canceled.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

Mayor Athan presented a proclamation to the Police Chief declaring the month of April as "Earthquake Preparedness" Month.

Mayor Athan presented a proclamation to Nancy Tatarka, Library Advisory Committee member, and Joyce Gunn, San Ramon Librarian, declaring April 12-18, 1999 as National Library Week.

Elijah Poxson, Discovery Counseling Center Board member, accepted a proclamation from Mayor Athan recognizing the Center's 5th Anniversary of "Celebrate the Valley".

Mayor Athan introduced June Cherry and Joanna Yeh, City Lights Volunteers and gave them a proclamation declaring April 18-24, 1999 as National Volunteer Recognition Week.

Robin Ludlow, Environmental Affairs Advisory Committee Chairperson, received a proclamation from Mayor Athan declaring Friday, April 23, 1999 as Arbor Day.

Mayor Athan said Engineer Jim Robles and Fire Inspector Don Newman, had been selected as San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, "Firefighters of the Year" for 1998. He introduced Mr. Newman and said that Mr. Robles was not able to attend.

Assistant Chief Craig Bowen told of the many accomplishments of Engineer Robles and Inspector Newman.

Rick Terry, San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District Fire Marshall, told the Council and audience about a Consumer Product Safety Commission Recall of all central fire sprinkler Omega series sprinkler heads. He said nationwide this represents 8.4 million sprinkler heads and the vast majority of them having been installed in California. He said the Fire District was taking steps to notify the public via mail, the District website, newsletter and special public announcements. He said it was imperative that anyone who feels they are subject to the recall contact Central Fire Sprinkler System as August 1, 1999 had been established as the reimbursement deadline.

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CITY COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS

Cm. Raab's motion to appoint Robert Ingalls to fill a vacancy on the Environmental Affairs Advisory Committee was seconded by Cm. Hudson and passed 3-2 (Cms. Kinney and Welm dissenting).

Cm. Raab's motion to appoint Brian Mathews to the Environmental Affairs Advisory Committee was seconded Cm. Hudson and passed 5-0.

By Council ballot, Kathy Stewart was selected to be a San Ramon representative on the Cable TV Board.

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PUBLIC COMMENT

Ken Mintz, Director of External Affairs for Pacific Bell, referred to a letter written to the Council listed under Written Correspondence. He said the letter was from Californians for Telecommunications Choice and concerned a proposed rate increase in directory assistance rates. He said the letter asked Councils across the state to oppose the rate increase requested of the Public Utilities Commission by Pacific Bell. He said there was a lot of misinformation in the letter and asked the Council to not take action on the item but that they get additional information before action is taken.

Mayor Athan said the telephone directories come out once a year and with such a fluid population in California it is a hardship to limit the information calls.

Mr. Mintz said printing phone books is an expensive proposition and delivering them to every line served by Pac Bell on an annual basis is an extremely expensive undertaking.

Mayor Athan said the letter stated the increase would have a severe impact on law enforcement because they are a heavy user of 411 services.

Mr. Mintz said government agencies can renegotiate contracts with Pac Bell for services and that agencies that provide emergency services are exempt from the charge for emergency calls.

Mayor Athan said before any action is taken on the item the Council would expect to hear from both sides.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Cm. Kinney's motion to approve the minutes of the March 23, 1999 meeting was seconded by Cm. Raab and passed 5-0.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Cm. Welm said there was an error on the Fee Resolution under Transportation Fees and asked that it be corrected.

Cm. Welm's motion to approve the following Consent Calendar with the amendment to the Fee Resolution was seconded by Cm. Kinney and passed 5-0.

FINANCE Register of Demands dated March 26, 1999 in the amount of $576,070.14

CONTRACT QUARTERLY REPORT
City Manager and Designated Directorates Contract Quarterly Report, January - March 1999

RESOLUTION NO. 99-33

RELEASING THE ONE YEAR WARRANTY SECURITY FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS IN SUBDIVISIONS 7010, 7011, 7012, 7014, 7015 AND 7016 (SHAPELL INDUSTRIES/WEST BRANCH)

RESOLUTION NO. 99-34

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH WEST TREE AND LANDSCAPE COMPANY FOR TREE MAINTENANCE SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $26,433

RESOLUTION NO. 99-35

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH GROVER LANDSCAPE SERVICES, INC. FOR THE PROVISION OF ROUTINE LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SERVICES IN THE WESTBRANCH SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ZONE IN AN ANNUAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $96,840

RESOLUTION NO. 99-36

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH FLORATECH LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT INC. FOR THE PROVISION OF ROUTINE LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SERVICED IN THE CITYWIDE LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING ASSESSMENT DISTRICT AND SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ZONES IN AN ANNUAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $250,500

RESOLUTION NO. 99-37

ACCEPTING A CERTAIN ROADWAY DEDICATION AND TWO TRAFFIC SIGNAL MAINTENANCE EASEMENTS WITHIN AND ADJACENT TO BISHOP RANCH 9 (SUNSET DEVELOPMENT COMPANY/BISHOP RANCH 9)

RESOLUTION NO. 99-38

APPROVING CONTRA COSTA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY GROWTH MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ANNUAL COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST FOR ALLOCATION OF 1998 LOCAL STREET MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT FUNDS

PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT ACCEPTANCE
Acceptance of work by Bay Cities Paving and Grading, Inc. for Pavement Management Project (CIP 8147) and California High School Volleyball Courts (CIP 8250) as complete and authorize the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion

RESOLUTION NO. 99-39

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH MBIA MUNIFINANCIAL FOR THE PROVISION OF DISCLOSURE REPORTING SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF SAN RAMON

FEE RESOLUTION PUBLIC HEARING
Set April 27, 1999 as the Public Hearing date for Resolution No. 99-40 - Establishing Fees and Charges for Various Municipal Services

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WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

Mayor Athan said the letter received from Californians for Telecommunications Choice had been discussed by Mr. Mintz during public comment.

Mayor Athan said a letter from Mr. R. W. Scofield had been received commending city employees on prompt and courteous service.

Mayor Athan asked if anyone desired to take action on the letter received from Gerald Lucey, Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (CCCSD), requesting support in opposition of AB 1549-Torlakson, requiring CCCSD Board of Directors be elected by districts.

Cm. Welm said he was personally opposed to forming districts for the CCCSD but he was not sure that it was a matter that should be addressed by the Council.

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UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 9

The Associate Civil Engineer introduced a public hearing on the establishment of Underground Utility District No. 9 San Ramon Valley Boulevard from Pine Valley Road to approximately 3,200 feet north of Alcosta Boulevard and said it was associated with the San Ramon Valley Boulevard widening project. After describing the project and answering Council questions he recommended the Council hold the public hearing and adopt the resolution.

No one spoke during the public hearing.

Cm. Kinney's motion to adopt the resolution establishing the underground district was seconded by Cm. Hudson and passed 5-0.

RESOLUTION NO. 99-31

ESTABLISHING UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 9, SAN RAMON VALLEY BOULEVARD FROM PINE VALLEY ROAD TO APPROXIMATELY 3,200 FEET NORTH OF ALCOSTA BOULEVARD (SAN RAMON VALLEY BOULEVARD WIDENING PROJECT CIP 7104)

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COUNCIL WORKSHOP SUMMARY

The City Manager said the City Council held a workshop on February 10, 1999 to clarify expectations, discuss City Council agenda setting and meeting processes and review and discuss short-term and long-term goals.

After Council questions and discussion Cm. Raab's motion to adopt the recommendations in the staff report as advisory only was seconded by Cm. Welm and passed 5-0.

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JOINT MEETING

The City Manager said the Planning Commissioners would not be available in May for a joint meeting with the City Council and recommended a date be set in April.

It was the consensus of Council to schedule the joint meeting with the Planning Commission for April 27 at 6:30 p.m. before the regularly scheduled City Council meeting.

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ANNUAL PROGRAM OF SERVICES

The Administrative Services Director introduced a report outlining staff's proposals for the FY 1999-2000 annual program of services.

The Council reviewed and commented on the proposed program of services. Staff answered Council's questions.

Cm. Hudson's motion to adopt the FY 1999-2000 Annual Program of Services was seconded by Cm. Raab and passed 5-0.

The City Manager said this was the service enhancements as proposed by staff and the full budget would be returned to the Council after review by the Finance Committee.

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TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT FUND

The Administrative Services Director said the City was required to annually review the status of collected development impact and mitigation fees and in the event the fees remain unexpended or unencumbered for more than five years the City can retain the fees if the Council adopts certain findings to substantiate the need to retain such funds. He gave a report on the status of the traffic improvement fund, stating this fund contained some fees that had been there for over five years primarily because of some projects that had been delayed. He said these funds would be spent within the next few months and recommended the Council adopt the proposed resolution.

Cm. Welm's motion to approve Resolution No. 99-32 was seconded by Cm. Kinney and passed 5-0.

RESOLUTION NO. 99-32

ADOPTING FINDINGS TO COMMIT FUNDS IN THE CITY'S TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT FUND

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MAYORS' CONFERENCE

Cm. Welm said at the April 1, 1999 Mayors' Conference they appointed conference representatives to LAFCO. He said they also talked about a workshop to be held May 8 at Chevron in Concord, sponsored by the City/County Relations Committee to discuss quality of life issues.

Cm. Kinney said it was recommended that all cities invite their Planning and Parks and Community Services Commissioners and the city that has the best attendance would have their fees paid.

Cm. Welm said at the April 1 meeting Walnut Creek's City Engineer proposed a countywide model for a trench cut ordinance.

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SCHOOL DISTRICT LIAISON MEETING

Cm. Hudson said the new Cal High principal was introduced at the recent School District liaison meeting, noting he would be on campus within the next week.

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AREA CODE RELIEF

Cm. Welm said there would be a meeting on April 22 to discuss a new area code for this area because the 925 area code was outgrowing itself. He said he felt there were some structural issues going on that were for the convenience of the telephone companies and not for the convenience of the residents. He said he would like the Council to oppose this proposal or at least hold a public hearing on it.

Cm. Raab said he felt this should be discussed on a future agenda as a public hearing with representatives from Pac Bell and anyone else who wanted to express a viewpoint.

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TOWN HALL MEETING

Mayor Athan said seeing the lack of attendance at the recent citywide Y2K informational meeting he had reconsidered his request to consider scheduling a "Town Hall Meeting".

Cm. Raab said he thought a "Town Hall Meeting" was a good idea and felt it was the topic that would draw the people.

* * * *

The City Manager verified the Council wished to have an item on the April 27 agenda to discuss the area code relief issue and to have representation at the April 22 meeting. He said this is an issue that needs to be addressed now.

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There being no further business to come before the City, at 9:50 p.m. the meeting adjourned.

Byron D. Athan, Mayor
Judy Macfarlane, City Clerk

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