A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of San Ramon was called to order on September 25, 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, Chief Brian Lindblom, Parks and Community Services Director Jeff Eorio, Planning Director Phil Wong, City Engineer Joye Fukuda, Transportation Director John Dillon, Economic Development Director April Gray, and City Clerk Judy Macfarlane

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Mayor Hudson said the Council had met in closed session pursuant to Section 54956.9(c) of the government code and had agreed to initiate litigation.

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

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The Mayor presented certificates of appreciation and $100 checks to Christopher Slayton, Michael Uruera and Travis Jump for notifying police and detaining a suspect who vandalized San Ramon Central Park.

Cynthia McKenzie, Federal Emergency Management Agency presented a plaque to Mayor Hudson recognizing the City’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System.

Surlene Grant, Bay Area Alliance for Sustainable Development, presented a draft Compact for a Sustainable Bay Area for the Council’s review and asked the City Council to consider endorsing the draft Compact.

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Elizabeth Mutlu representing the Arts Advisory Committee, reminded the Council and audience of the upcoming Black & White Party to be held October 6^th at the Community Center.

Janet Banner, representing the Contra Costa Food Bank, invited everyone to attend the 7^th Annual Talent Show Benefit to be held October 12^th at the San Ramon Community Center.

Paul Mitchell said he has reviewed the government code and questioned when the details of the Council’s closed session would be available to the public.

The City Attorney stated that Council had not reached a level of decision that would require them to release any details.

Jerry Cambra said the PG&E right of way by his home had degenerated and looked bad with dirt and weeds. He requested the City’s assistance in contacting PG&E to improve and maintain the site in a better condition.

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Cm. Livingstone’s motion to approve the minutes of the September 11, 2001 meeting was seconded by Cm. Wilson and passed 3-0-2 (Cm.’s Kinney and Tatarka abstaining).

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By consensus of Council, item 8.9 Resolution No. 2001-127 Authorizing the Mayor to execute a contract with CannonDworsky for refinement of the site master plan, preparation of conceptual designs for cost estimating and designation of a new project manager for the City Center Project in the amount of $99,600, was removed for discussion.

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

FINANCE Register of Demands dated September 16 and 23, 2001 in the amount of $ 973,652.24.

Amending the agreement with Flora Tech Landscape Management, Inc., for the provision of landscape maintenance services at the following locations: 1) San Ramon Valley Boulevard from Pine Valley Road to south of the Church on the Hill, 2) Deerwood Road from Old Crow Canyon Road going west to existing landscape, and 3) Bent Creek Special Assessment Zone 7 (Phase III), in an annual amount not to exceed $38,448

Authorizing the purchase of eleven dedicated compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks from Wondries Ford in an amount not to exceed $282,483

Authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Casey Printing, Inc., for printing of the Activities Guide/City Newsletter and 2002 City Calendar in an amount not to exceed $61,136 and authorizing a budget increase of $5,000

Acceptance of Work 

Cleary Brothers Landscape, Inc. for the Senior Center Park Project (CIP 8208) as complete and authorization for the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion with the County Recorder’s Office

Authorizing a budget increase from $65,000 to $72,000 for construction of the Old Ranch Road Slope Repair Project (CIP 8650)

Authorizing a budget increase from $202,300 to $215,300 for construction of the Crow Canyon Road Landslide Repair Project (CIP 8652)

Authorizing the Mayor to execute a contract with Turner Construction for project management services for the City Center Project in an amount not to exceed $453,706

Amending Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement – Dougherty Regional Fire Authority

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FOREST HOME FARMS ADVISORY COMMITTEE 

Pat Boom, Forest Home Farms Advisory Committee Chair, introduced the committee’s first annual review. After reviewing the mission statement she described the goals, accomplishments and many activities of the past year, and outlined the goals for 2001-2002. She said they were in the process of establishing a San Ramon Historic Foundation and were going to apply for non-profit status with the State to facilitate their fund raising projects. 

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CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA SANITARY DISTRICT 

The City Engineer introduced Bill Brennen, Capital  Projects Division Manager, from the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District who presented the second update of the Dougherty Valley Tunnel and Trunk Sewer project. He reviewed various portions of the project that had been completed, the testing that was being done and the progress made with the tunneling.

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CANNON DWORSKY CITY CENTER PROJECT 

Cm. Kinney questioned the bill received from Cannon/Dworsky and said he wanted a complete breakdown of the costs incurred  to date. He also said he wanted to know in advance what the charges were going to be and stated he would not support any future funding until the past charges were substantiated.

Cm. Kinney’s motion to continue the discussion of Resolution No. 2001-127 Authorizing the Mayor to execute a contract with CannonDworsky for refinement of the site master plan, preparation of conceptual designs for cost estimating and designation of a new project manager for the City Center Project in the amount of $99,600 to the next meeting, was seconded by Cm. Wilson and passed 5-0.

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THOMAS E. BURNETT, JR. MEMORIAL

Mayor Hudson asked the Council to discuss establishing a  memorial for San Ramon resident Thomas E. Burnett, Jr. 

As this was an item that had come up after the posting of the agenda Cm. Kinney made a motion to place the item on the agenda.

The motion was seconded by Cm. Wilson passed 5-0.

The City Manager stated we want to create a very special memorial in a location that is highly visible and said the location being considered was close to the Burnett Family residence. He stated it was the City’s desire to have this serve as a memorial project , a vibrant form of a parkway and a focal point for any type of service in recognition of heroism. He indicated on the map the area proposed for the Thomas E. Burnett, Jr. Parkway with the fountain at the center of the memorial.

Mayor Hudson called a short recess to allow a review of the material and the artist’s rendering of the proposed memorial.

All Councilmembers were present when the meeting reconvened.

The City Manager clarified that Alcosta Blvd. would not be renamed, but the landscaped areas would constitute the parkway.

Cm. Tatarka requested that Mrs. Burnett be consulted prior to any decision being made with regard to a memorial. She also requested that input be received from the residents and asked to have information posted on the web site requesting input.

Cm. Wilson said it was imperative that a memorial is established and he wanted to make certain there was information on Mr. Burnett’s life and a story of why the monument was there. He said the details and ultimate decision of the memorial would be with the family of Thomas E. Burnett, and welcomed suggestions and input from the residents.

Cm. Livingstone said this was a highly emotional issue and we should not be in a big hurry to make a decision. He said he recognized the importance of having a memorial and liked the concept and location, but wanted to go cautiously and slowly. He said he supported the resolution to go forward in concept, but suggested the Burnett Family be considered first and foremost, even before the community was solicited for input.

Cm. Kinney suggested that Mrs. Burnett be given options as to the type of memorial the family would want.

Mayor Hudson said no memorial action would be taken by Council without the blessing of the Burnett Family. He stated that he was in constant contact with representatives from the family and they would be apprised of the tentative plans and suggestions. Mayor Hudson stated Mr. Burnett was an American war hero and we need to build a memorial so all will remember who he was and what he did for our country.

Cm. Kinney’s motion to approve in concept a memorial for Mr. Burnett was seconded by Cm. Wilson and passed 5-0.

The City Manager clarified the City Council wanted to establish a memorial for Thomas E. Burnett Jr. In addition, he stated it was the consensus of Council to obtain citizen input as to what would be a fitting memorial in recognition for Thomas Burnett, and electronic media would be used to facilitate the process. It was agreed the Burnett family would have final approval of the type and location of the memorial. The City Manager stated that staff would provide definitive information at the next meeting as to ownership and maintenance of the property and refinement of the concept.

Cm. Wilson said he was a resident of the homeowners’ association where the subject property for the memorial was located and asked the City Attorney if there was a conflict of interest involving this issue.

Cm. Tatarka requested that this item be agendized for public comment.

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MAYORS’ CONFERENCE 

Mayor Hudson stated the next Mayors’ Conference would be held in Oakley.

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COMMITTEE COMMISSION REINSTATEMENT RESIGNATION 

The City Clerk said on August 22 Yvonne Kimber had submitted a letter of resignation from the Library Advisory Committee. She said Ms. Kimber’s term on the committee ran through February 2002. Staff did a survey of vacancies on all City committees and advertised for applicants to fill all the vacancies. No applications were received for the Library Advisory Committee and the deadline was extended. She said a letter dated September 11 was received from Ms. Kimber asking that her resignation be withdrawn and stating she would like to serve out her term. The City Clerk said initially with the institution of City committees when a letter of resignation was received, staff would place the resignation on the next Council agenda consent calendar with a request that staff be directed to advertise to fill the vacancy. Currently when a resignation is received, it is quickly advertised to expedite filling the vacancy.

Cm. Wilson’s motion to re-instate Yvonne Kimber to the Library Advisory Committee was seconded by Cm. Kinney and passed 5-0.

It was the consensus of Council to have the Internal Operations Committee consider a policy for filling vacancies on City committees.

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There being no further business to come before the City, the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 P.M.

David E. Hudson, Mayor
Judy Macfarlane, City Clerk

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