MINUTES OF THE CITY OF SAN RAMON
 SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
December 5, 2001

Please note amendments are in bold italics

A special meeting of the City Council of the City of San Ramon was called to order on December 5, 2001 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 2222 Camino Ramon, Mayor Tatarka presiding.
PRESENT: Councilmembers Cambra, Dickey, Hudson, Wilson and Mayor Tatarka
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Herb Moniz, Acting City Attorney Karen White Murphy, Administrative Services Director Jim Randall, Planning Director Phil Wong, City Engineer Joye Fukuda, Economic Development Services Director April Gray, and Acting City Clerk Susan Gibbs

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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Tatarka led Council, staff and those present in the audience in a pledge of allegiance to the flag.

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PUBLIC COMMENT

Victor Petersen commented on the procedures of notifying the public of special Council meetings.

Jim Blickestaff, distributed information to the Council regarding the Wendt Ranch Project, shared his concerns and how he felt it related to EBMUD’s Ultimate Service Boundary.

Howard Siu, member of Save our Danville Creeks, spoke about comparable concerns between the Wendt Ranch Project and Alamo Creek.

Tom Koch, Shapell Industries, disputed comments made by Mr. Blickenstaff and Dr. Siu.

Jim Richards, member of Save our Danville Creeks, shared his concerns regarding Wendt Ranch and Alamo Creek.

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EBMUD ULTIMATE  SERVICE BOUNDARY

The Planning Services Director stated the issue before the Board appears to be whether or not to modify the District’s Ultimate Service Boundary as it related to the AlamoCreek development as well as other related issues. Currently, as depicted on the maps attached to the District’s report, the County’s Urban Limit Line (ULL) extends beyond the District’s USB to include the intervening properties, Wendt Ranch and Alamo Creek, whereas the District’s USB includes only the Wendt Ranch development. He stated the District’s USB is consistent with the City’s current General Plan and its policies, and reviewed the attachments.

Frank Mellon, EBMUD, presented a letter from John A. Coleman, Director, EDMUD, urging the Council not to appeal the recent Superior Court decision affirming the Contra Costa County Urban Limit Line. He said the Board had yet to make any decision regarding the USB, and the issue was scheduled to be heard at the meeting of December 11^th.

In answer in questions, Mr. Mellon reviewed the decision making process and how government bodies set the land limits which determine EBMUD’s ultimate service boundary. He stated the Board was being pro-active with advanced planning in anticipation of the ULL changing to insure compliance by EBMUD if and when there were changes. He reviewed conservation programs, past and present and how they could affect San Ramon.

Jim Blickenstaff, representing the Sierra Club, questioned the conduct of EBMUD as they are being challenged by political entities to expand their USB, and commented on the negative impacts the change of the USB would have on San Ramon. He encouraged EBMUD not to be so anxious to facilitate sprawl.

Tom Koch stated this was a very complicated issue that has been over-mitigated. He spoke about numerous water issues and their effect on the East Bay. He stated there was not an alternative water source, other that EBMUD for this project.

Mayor Tatarka called a short recess.

All Councilmembers were present when the meeting reconvened.

Victor Petersen expressed his concern over the Water District’s USB having to adapt to the County’s flexible ULL.

Mayor Tatarka closed the public hearing.

Cm. Cambra made a motion to send a letter to East Bay Municipal Utility District opposing the new Ultimate Service Boundary and 1) request the USB be consistent with the Contra Costa County Urban Limit Line City Urban Growth Boundary, 2) the net reduction in water usage is unclear, 3) it would be precedent setting with the service boundaries being moved every time the Urban Limit Line is moved, 4) there is no apparent benefit to the citizen’s of San Ramon, 5) there is an inconsistency with the availability of water, 6) there is inconsistency with this action with the proposed new City of San Ramon General Plan Vision 2020, 7) there is no provision of water services for Dougherty Valley and there was a statement made that water was not available, 8) there are questions regarding CEQA, and 9) there would be additional conservation measures to be imposed on San Ramon particularly with Seniors. The motion was seconded by Cm. Dickey, passed 4-1 (Cm. Hudson dissenting).

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CITY CENTER WORKSHOP

Mayor Tatarka said the workshop had been scheduled for December 20, 2001, at 6:00 P. M.

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There being no further business to come before the City, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 P.M.

Signed:

Nancy Tatarka, Mayor
Judy Macfarlane, City Clerk