A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of San Ramon was called to order on August 28, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 2222 Camino Ramon, Mayor Hudson presiding.
PRESENT: Councilmembers Kinney, Livingstone, Tatarka, Wilson and Mayor Hudson
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Herb Moniz, City Attorney Tom Curry, Police Chief Brian Lindblom, Administrative Services Director Jim Randall, Parks and Community Services Director Jeff Eorio, Planning Director Phil Wong, City Engineer Joye Fukuda, Transportation Director John Dillon, Economic Development Manager April Gray, and City Clerk Judy Macfarlane

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Mayor Hudson announced the Council had met in closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 for personnel evaluations of the City Clerk and City Manager.

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

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Mayor Hudson announced there were openings on five City advisory committees and encouraged those interested in applying to do so.

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Stephen Blaylock, President of Altrans, presented a Carpool to School Ridematching Program for the San Ramon Unified School District. He described programs that had been designed for other school districts and outlined the features of the carpool program that has been designed for this area.

Tom Shastid, Senior Engineer, EBMUD, presented an update regarding the construction of the Southern Loop Pipeline Project. He said the Castro Valley portion had been completed and soon construction on Crow Canyon Road would begin which will affect San Ramon residents. He stated there were two construction crews working at night from 8 p.m. to 5 a. m., in addition to the regular construction during the day. He anticipated most of the Crow Canyon Road work would be completed by the end of the year.

Bill Brennan, Capital Projects Division Manager, Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, CCCSD, reported the work on the Dougherty Valley and Trunk Sewer Project had begun with the excavating at the pump station.

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Joyce Gunn, San Ramon Librarian, spoke of the success of the summer reading program and said preparations were being made for the Jazz Festival.

Christa Freihoffer wanted to clarify that the South San Ramon Neighborhood Association was an official association registered with the State of California and the federal government.

Roz Rogoff presented photographs of the type of equipment that was in front of her house due to the CCCSD sewer line project.

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Cm. Kinney’s motion to approve the minutes of the July 24, 2001 joint Dublin/San Ramon City Council meeting was seconded by Cm. Tatarka and passed 4-0-1 (Cm. Livingstone abstained).

Cm. Kinney’s motion to approve the minutes of the August 14, 2001 City Council meeting was seconded by Cm. Wilson and passed 5-0.

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Cm. Wilson’s motion to approve the following Consent Calendar was seconded by Cm. Kinney and passed 5-0.

FINANCE      Register of Demands dated August 13, 19 and 26, 2001 in the amount of $1,670,890.88

Supporting the City of San Ramon’s application for State Transportation Improvement Program funds for the Old Ranch Road Bicycle Path Project (CIP 7123)

Authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Aztec Consultants for Construction Management Services for the Alta Mesa Park Project (CIP 8207) and the Pine Valley Middle School Sports Fields Renovation and Parking Lot Project (CIP 8257) in an amount not to exceed $190,000

Authorizing the purchase of a street sweeper from Ricker Machinery Company in an amount not to exceed $160,000

Authorizing the Mayor to sign the Commuter Choice Leadership Initiative Agreement between the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the City of San Ramon

Authorizing the Mayor to execute an amendment to the agreement with Pacheco Brothers Gardening, Inc., for the provision of mowing services at the San Ramon Senior Center Park and Gardens in an amount not to exceed $1,800

Authorizing the Mayor to execute an amendment to the agreement with White Oak Landscape, Inc. for mowing and maintenance at Coyote Crossing in an amount not to exceed $26,213

Acceptance of Work

Acceptance of work by MCK Services, Inc. for FY 1999/2001  Pavement Repairs Contract (CIP 8147) as complete and Authorization for the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion with the County Recorder’s Office

Authorizing and directing the Mayor to execute a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the compensation, terms and conditions of employment of the City Manager

Authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Steiny and Company, Inc., for construction of the Crow Canyon Road Traffic Signal Upgrade Project (CIP 7728) in the amount of $155,615 and authorizing a budget increase in the amount of $49,000

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CITY CENTER PROJECT 

Doug Dworsky, Cannon/Dworsky, said there were a few comments following Council’s discussion from the August 22^nd meeting they he would like clarified. He said they were recommending Council make two decisions, 1) approve a site master plan and the design team recommended Scheme 3 and, 2) approve the project team to further define and implement the next steps in the process. He said this portion would require collaboration between the three components of the project team to define schematic design for the building and the open space, to define a schematic level of construction and soft cost estimating and soft costs to define the total project costs of the City Center. In addition, a refinement of the financing strategies was requested.

He said the key issue to make a decision on that night was the site master plan identifying land use and site zoning, access and circulation and basic issues such as building and open space orientation. He said the topics the Council was not being asked to make a decision on tonight were building design, open space design and acoustic treatment of open spaces and said those issues that would be addressed in the next phase of design.

He said the discussion regarding Scheme 2 and Scheme 3, suggested a hybrid of the two and the design team felt there was no hybrid of the two schemes as they were two distinct approaches in the design of the City Center. He said there were positive aspects of Scheme 2 that could be incorporated and developed into Scheme 3. He described Scheme 3 as a evolutionary process open and visible, building and open spaces open to the community, connected to the surrounding sights and uses both in terms of circulation and a strong visual connection. This creates a variety of open spaces, strong visual image and a great opportunity for unique and spatial experience.

He said they were recommending the Council select a master plan direction and ask the project team to define in greater detail the next steps so we can move forward with bond measures and other steps.

Mayor Hudson opened the public hearing.

Donna Dickey said after reviewing Scheme 3, she felt the buildings for the performing arts center, children’s museum, the library, the parking structure, and the city offices, were all concentrated in one area and there were only one or two acres of open space on the entire 11 acre spot. She said the additional land purchased by the City should not be developed into retail. She expressed her concerns regarding traffic and asked about pedestrian bridges for safety. She said the designs presented were too futuristic. She questioned the numerous bond measures being discussed for the funding of the buildings and asked the Council to be very careful with their decision making process.

Bob Ingalls indicated the areas need to be incorporated versus the appearance of boxing which seems to be what is being shown. He said the retail concept needed to readdressed and asked why are we saying "if" we build a when we are not currently meeting the performance standards.

Victor Petersen said the City Center Task Force was the citizens group established to research and make comments and their direction should be heeded in the whole concept.

Ernie Scherer, member of the Library Advisory Committee, said he felt the library size and seating were sufficient to serve the community and the current library meets the needs of the community. He said two inadequacies were 1) not enough computer terminals and, 2) obsolete and inadequate materials from the County library system. He said that the Council was moving a little too fast and there was no need for a new library.

Jim Blickenstaff said this was not the direction we should be heading and to make a decision on one of the three schemes presented would be a mistake. He said he felt we should have a package deal for all 19 acres and that open space should be substituted for the retail portion.

Mike Conklin said he was on the original City Center Task Force and felt the process needs to move forward now. He said the main issue was how are the citizens going to pay for it.

Mayor Hudson said what the Council was being asked to do that night was pick a schematic plan and let the project team further define and implement a schematic design, a level of construction, develop a financial strategy and how to work a public/private perimeter scheme for both sides of the street.

Cm. Kinney said that the parking structure and children’s museum had not been part of the original plan thus resulting in less open space. He said that each one of the buildings would be built regardless of which scheme is chosen, and the cost of each building would be separate, so the end result and for costing purposes, he had no problem going forward.

Cm. Wilson liked the land usage and elevation of Scheme 2. He stated that we have reached the stage of what we want and we need to put numbers together. While there is never going to be a total agreement, it was imperative that we move ahead.

Cm. Livingstone said we need to establish a budget for this project and the time to move on this was now. He said he failed to see a gathering place to build vitality in this area. He felt a pedestrian bridge over Bollinger Canyon was critical regardless of what was developed on the other site. He said we don’t need to study more, we need to pick a scheme and move forward.

Cm. Tatarka read from the City Center Vision statement. She spoke of the need for a children’s museum. She said a decision should not be made without including plans for the additional seven acres.

Cm. Hudson said ever since the first plan for a City Center/Civic Center, we have always been concerned of not only the cost of the buildings but also the maintenance and operation of these buildings. He said the Council needs to pick a scheme so we can have real direction. He said he was ready to pick Scheme 3.

Cm. Kinney said he picked Scheme 2 because it presented a better visual image and he felt the pedestrian bridge worked better with that particular scheme. He also said it was time to move forward.

Cm Livingstone said he preferred Scheme 2.

Cm. Wilson liked the openness and elevation in Scheme 2 and said he would vote for Scheme 2.

Cm. Tatarka said the plans for the recently purchased land needed to be discussed and she would be abstaining from voting.

When questioned, the consultant said the reason they were not recommending Scheme 2, was it separated the civic functions on the upper level and the retail on the lower level. The goal of the City Center Vision Document was to be an integrated collection of uses that reinforce and invigorate each other and that was not found in Scheme 2. He said the visibility into the raised plaza level could only be obtained when you were physically on the same level. He said like Scheme 1, Scheme 2 puts a zone of vehicular parking along Bollinger Canyon so that in essence the front lawn of the City Center would be parking. Scheme 3 has a strong outdoor open space as the first image of the City Center. He said there would be an additional cost for Scheme 2 due to the raised plaza. He concluded by saying the strongest reason for not recommending Scheme 2 was not the cost, it was the question of would it be the rich and invigorating city center that the City desired. Therefore it was their opinion that it would be achieved better with Scheme 3.

Cm. Kinney’s motion to select Scheme 2 was seconded by Cm. Livingstone.

Cm. Livingstone suggested that the design team study an alternate version of Scheme 2 minus the raised plaza.

Cm. Wilson suggested raising the performing arts center. He said that getting the process going was important and he wanted a cost factor and feasibility of the center.

Mayor Hudson clarified the motion for Scheme 2 and said the project team would further define and implement the schematic design, the level of construction, the finance strategy and the public/private relationship perimeter scheme.

By roll call vote, the motion passed 4-1 (Cm. Tatarka dissenting).

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Mayor Hudson called a short recess.

All Councilmembers were present when the meeting reconvened.

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PG & E STATUS UPDATE

The City Engineer introduced a status update of the Tri-Valley Year 2002 Capacity Increase Project and the Delta EC 230 kV Transmission Reinforcement Project. She reviewed the actions taken since the August 14, 2001 update was presented to Council and said representatives from PG & E were present to answer questions by Council.

Mike Mier of PG&E summarized the questions and issues presented to them previously regarding the Delta line. He stated there would be no new lines, no tower modifications, no new towers, no tower raises and no line relocations. He said this line would not go up the Iron Horse Trail and stated that all they would be doing would be replacing the existing wire with smaller wire. With regards to the question of EMFs he said they would be cross phasing this line in and near the sub-station. There is no undergrounding, there are no visual impacts, no noise impacts and no cumulative construction impacts. To address the landscaping issues, PG&E recognized it was important to the community and wanted to do something about it. He said PG&E commits to do the work necessary to improve the landscaping at the sub-station and will post a bond to show good faith and their commitment. He said there was going to be a meeting in the Council Chamber Thursday, August 30^th at 7:00 to meet with the community to outline the details and desires for this project. He requested the City withdraw its protest.

Mr. Meir said in response to Cm. Wilson’s question, cross phasing does not increase EMFs, but actually reduces them. He confirmed that increasing the incoming capacity with the new wire would not increase the outgoing loads.

Michael Herz, PG&E, said the projected loads for this project actually reduce the magnetic field levels and that is why we do the cross phasing when we have a new project.

Cm. Wilson asked how this project benefited the citizens of San Ramon.

Mr. Herz replied that this project was to maintain the load and this generation would benefit the citizens of San Ramon as well as many of the residents in the area.

Paul Mitchell asked about the potential for noise generation by feeding energy into the substation. He specifically was concerned about forced ventilation fans from transformers in that area.

Mr. Herz replied that they were increasing the generation and not increasing the load. He said the load would be increased by development that PG&E had no control over. He stated the noise level would not be increased by the reconductoring of this line. The noise levels are related to the fans and the loading on the transformer and PG&E was not going to increase the loading as a result of this project.

The City Manager told the Council that PG&E had requested the City of San Ramon rescind the letter of protest.

Cm. Wilson stated he wanted to meet with the residents prior to making a decision to rescind the letter.

The City Engineer stated PG&E, as part of their response to the PUC, had requested that a decision be rendered by the PUC in a short time frame because they have linked it to the energy crisis.

Mayor Hudson thanked PG&E for the status update.

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REVISED CLASSIFICATION PLAN 

The Administrative Services Director stated the results from the City-wide classification study had been completed. He said the Internal Operations Committee and staff recommended the City Council approve the revised classification plan and introduced Gail Koff, the consultant who conducted the study.

Ms. Koff said this was the first part of a two part study. She said this part would clarify the roles and responsibilities of the City positions and that had not been done since 1996. She said this study needed to be completed prior to the salary survey.

Mayor Hudson’s motion to adopt Resolution No. 2001-101 was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 5-0.

Adopting a revised classification plan for the City of San Ramon and amending Resolution No. 97-24.

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MAYORS’ CONFERENCE AGENDA

Mayor Hudson reviewed the agenda for the next Mayors’ Conference to be held in Moraga.

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ARTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE 

Cm. Tatarka stated the major discussion at the last Arts Advisory Committee meeting was the Public Arts brochure. She announced the Black & White Ball was October 6^th.

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MAYORAL ROTATION POLICY 

Cm. Wilson requested at the first meeting in October the Council discuss the merits of a proposed ordinance for rotation of mayor.

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There being no further business to come before the City, the meeting was adjourned at 10:55 P.M.

David E. Hudson, Mayor
Judy Macfarlane, City Clerk

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