MINUTES OF THE
CITY OF SAN RAMON – COUNCIL MEETING

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of San Ramon was held August 23, 2005 at 7:11 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 2222 Camino Ramon, Mayor Wilson presiding.

PRESENT: Councilmembers Hudson, Perkins, and Mayor Wilson.

ABSENT: Councilmember Rowley and Vice Mayor Livingstone.

STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Herb Moniz, City Attorney Byron Athan, Police Chief Scott Holder, Community Services Division Manager John Skeel, Recreation Coordinator Adam Chow, Housing Programs Manager Brooke Littman, Recreation Services Division Manager Esther Lucas, Program Manager Kathi Heimann, Economic Development Director Marc Fontes, and City Clerk Patricia Edwards.

Mike Doyle, Mayor of the Town of Danville, led the Council, staff, and those in the audience in the pledge of allegiance.

Mayor Wilson asked if there were any changes or additions to the agenda. The City Clerk noted that there were none.

Mayor Wilson asked if there were any changes or additions to the Boards, Committee and Commission meetings schedule. The City Clerk noted that there were none.

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Recognizing City Read 2005 "Two Cities, One Book" – September 12, 2005 – October 14, 2005.

Mayor Wilson presented proclamations recognizing CityRead 2005 to Joyce Gunn, San Ramon Library Branch Manager, and to Mike Doyle, Mayor of the Town of Danville. This year’s book is The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. Ms. Gunn announced two related events. She invited the public to view the movie at the San Ramon Library on September 27, 2005. One of the San Francisco Maltese Falcon docents will present a slide show of related sites in San Francisco at the Danville Theatre on October 19, 2005.

Police Chief Holder introduced Jennifer Vasquez, the new Office Technician II in the Police Department. Mayor Wilson presented her with a City pin.

Police Chief Holder introduced the new San Ramon police officers. Officer Phil Gonzalez was unable to be present. Chief Holder reviewed each officer’s career in law enforcement. Mayor Wilson pinned the police badges and City pins on the officers.

Corporal Chalk is the School Resource Officer at California High School. Officer Stabio is the new officer for Character Counts! Mayor Wilson stressed the importance of this program in San Ramon. He welcomed the officers and staff to the City.

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Teen Council Appointments

Community Services Division Manager John Skeel presented the report. He stated that the Parks and Community Services Commission (PCSC) panel reviewed the applications and interviewed the candidates. They recommended a slate of 20 candidates for appointment.

Cm. Perkins asked if the slate represented a good distribution of students by age, grades, schools and areas in the City. Teen Coordinator Adam Chow replied that the slate does present a good student cross section.

Cm. Perkins’ motion to appoint the slate proposed by the PCSC was seconded by Cm. Hudson and passed 3-0. Cm. Perkins thanked all of the students who applied for the Teen Council. He added that he is looking forward to a good program year and their input on many subjects.

Housing Advisory Committee Appointments

Housing Programs Manager Brooke Littman presented the report. She noted that the Housing Advisory Committee (HAC) reviewed the applications and recommended that the City Council appoint Maurine Behrend and Greta Andrews.

The Council cast ballots for the appointment. Mayor Wilson announced that Maurine Behrend and Tad Duffy were nominated. Cm. Perkins’ motion to appoint Maurine Behrend and Tad Duffy for a HAC term to run through July 2007 was seconded by Cm. Hudson and passed 3-0. Mayor Wilson thanked those residents who applied.

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Philip Reed, the San Ramon representative to the Accessible Services Committee for County Connection, informed the Council about two County Connection public hearings. A meeting to discuss how to phase in a proposed fare increase from $1.50 to $2.00 will be held on August 29, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the Alcosta Room at the Community Center. The new fare will be effective in July 2009. The alternatives are to phase the increase in small increments over the next four years or to increase the fare effective July 2006.

The second meeting is a proposed change to paratransit or link service. Link service is designed to be complimentary to the regular service and used by those who are unable to use the regular transit service, i.e. the disabled. He asked the Council to review this proposal because these changes include most of the San Ramon Valley but do not include Dougherty Valley. The public hearing will be held on September 2, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. at the San Ramon Senior Center.

The link service fare is $3.00 per trip. A $2.00 surcharge is proposed for same day service. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, County Connection is required to provide service to those who are eligible when notified 24 hours in advance. Same day (round trip) service is not required to be provided. He urged residents who are interested in the link service in Dougherty Valley to attend the meetings. Mayor Wilson noted that the City will be involved in these meetings.

Victor Petersen thanked the members for serving on the Council. He noted that the Council stipend is small and indicated his support for an increase. He congratulated Mayor Wilson on his reelection.

Chris Ferrara, PG&E’s Clean Air Transportation Manager for the East Bay, commented on the refuse collection contract. He commended the Council for including natural gas vehicles (NGV) in the contract. He reported that NGV are the cleanest commercially available truck and that the NGV refuse trucks will provide a better environment for the City. He remarked that the City of Dublin reports that their natural gas refuse collection program cost is only five cents per household. He indicated that he is available to help and encouraged staff to contact him.

Bill Meine stated that he is impressed with the landscaping in the City and its parks. He reported that every major thoroughfare is beautifully landscaped except for the Royal Ridge and View Ridge subdivision. He requested that the Council put a frontage along the road so that the weeds are not visible.

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Cm. Perkins requested that line 12 on page 5 be corrected to read that "Legal Counsel" and not the "Mayor" responded to Cm. Rowley’s question.

Cm. Perkins’ motion to approve the minutes of the August 9, 2005 meeting as corrected was seconded by Cm. Hudson and passed 3-0.

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Resolution No. 2005-115 Authorizing the Mayor to Execute Amendment No. 2 to the Existing Agreement with Central Maintenance Company to Provide Routine Janitorial Maintenance Services to the Dougherty Station Community Center and Library for FY 2005/06 in an Annual Amount not to Exceed $52,000.Senior Center Roof Coating Project.

Resolution No. 2005-116 Appropriating $17,439 from the Narcotic Asset Forfeiture Fund for a Replacement Police Department Narcotic Enforcement Vehicle.

Ellen Rosenbluth requested that if item 8.2 is approved, that the City notify residents so that they may contact their insurance company to make sure their home insurance includes sidewalk liability and repair issues. She added that insurance coverage should include the homeowner’s property and the area contiguous to the owned property.

Resolution No. 2005-117 Approving the Final Map for Subdivision 8797 Located at the Northwest Corner of Crow Canyon Road and Old Mill Road (Richmond American Homes/Lauderhill).

Resolution No. 2005-118 Rejecting an Existing Offer of Dedication for a Segment of Road Right-of-Way Contained within the Boundaries of the Final Map of Subdivision 8797.

Resolution No. 2005-119 Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Hold Harmless Agreement with Windemere BLC for the Dougherty Station Community Center.

Cm. Perkins commended the Transportation staff, especially PJ Sekhon, on the excellent Safe Routes to School Report and the quality of effort which produced the extensive list of recommendations to improve the safety at each school. He noted that this will have a positive effect on the safety of students. Mayor Wilson also commended the staff on an outstanding report.

Cm. Perkins’ motion to approve consent calendar items 8.1 through 8.5 was seconded by Cm. Hudson and
passed 3-0.

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The City Clerk noted that there were no items of unfinished business.

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The Teen Council Annual Report for 2004-2005 was presented by Jeff Tomasich, Student Commissioner, Parks and Community Services Commission. He reviewed the Charges of the Teen Council, the 2004-05 Accomplishments, and Suggestions for 2005-06. He reported that City teens are very excited about the Dougherty Valley Teen Center. He added that they raised $2,000 in two days at the Art and Wind Festival.

Cm. Hudson noted that the report requests that "www.srteen.org" become the primary method of communicating with teens. Mr. Tomasich responded that the web site is a great way to contact teens. This allows teens an easy way to provide input.

Cm. Perkins asked how the Teen Council spent its money. Mr. Tomasich replied funds were spent on t-shirts, promotional signs, refreshments and various events.

Cm. Perkins reported on input he received from scouts and stated that these teens want City sponsored rafting, ski and snowboarding trips. He encouraged the Teen Council to work with the Parks Department to provide these services.

Mayor Wilson asked how the residents and City Council can help. Mr. Tomasich requested that the teen web site be transferred to the City server. He added that they are looking to develop a variety of programs at the Dougherty Valley Teen Center.

Mayor Wilson asked what is being done to ease the transition between junior high school and high school. Mr. Tomasich responded that they actively searched for middle school students to be involved on the Teen Council. Their input will be used to create programs specifically for middle school students.

Mayor Wilson requested that the Teen Council get together with the Police Department to promote the Character Counts! program.

Cm. Hudson’s motion to accept the 2005-05 Teen Council report was seconded by Cm. Perkins and passed 3-0.

Authorization of the City of San Ramon’s Poet Laureate

Esther Lucas, Recreation Services Division Manager, reported that the Parks and Community Services Commission, the Arts Advisory Committee and staff recommend the Council review and approve the Poet Laureate program and application.

Program Manager Kathi Heimann defined a poet laureate, the need for a poet laureate and how the program will be utilized. She noted that Livermore, Pleasanton, and Brentwood currently have poet laureates. The Poet Laureate program is part of the Department’s cultural plan to promote the literary arts. The person would serve as a resource to the Arts Advisory Committee. She reviewed the proposed qualifications for the position and outlined the application process.

Mayor Wilson asked why San Ramon residency was a requirement. Ms. Heimann responded that as a San Ramon official, it seemed appropriate to utilize a resident as the representative. She added that this requirement is consistent with other City committees.

Cm. Perkins asked if limericks counted as poetry. Ms. Heimann responded that they are.

Cm. Hudson stated that the Poet Laureate position is one of service. Part of the City’s mission statement includes provision of services to those who "live, visit or work" in San Ramon. He suggested that the qualifications be expanded to include candidates who live or work here. He suggested that if a point system is utilized, that points be awarded for someone who lives or works in the City.

Mayor Wilson concurred with these comments. He added that art has no borders and that someone who lives or works in San Ramon has a sense of the City, has a tie to the community, and would add another dimension. Ms. Heimann noted that the committee had also discussed this option.

Cm. Perkins’ motion to adopt the Poet Laureate Program as presented with the additional requirement to allow a person who works in San Ramon was seconded by Cm. Hudson and passed 3-0.

Adoption of the Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP)

Mary Hanson, Chairperson of the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC), provided the report. She stated that the purpose of the Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP) is to set the direction, goals and strategies for San Ramon’s future economic development. This includes land use decisions, plans for business attraction and retention. The Plan was developed over nine months and included five public meetings. She noted that input to the Plan was diverse and included property owners, commercial brokers, developers, retail experts, City officials, Council and Planning members, representatives from the education community and residents. She noted how the EDAC Work Plan and EDSP are aligned. The EDAC focused on retail expansion and a sense of "place" for San Ramon. The EDAC encourages the Council to adopt the Plan.

Economic Development Director Marc Fontes thanked Ms. Hanson and the EDAC for their hard work. Simon Alejandrino, Senior Associate with Bay Area Economics (BAE), presented the highlights of San Ramon’s EDSP. It establishes direction for the long and short term economic development including land use decisions and programs to expand and attract new businesses. He commended EDAC for their participation and efforts. He told the Council that they are a dedicated committee and the City is fortunate to have them. He reviewed the process to develop the EDSP. He added that the public workshops were well attended and residents were actively involved in expressing their opinions and ideas.

The EDSP format consists of three layers: eight goals (5 City-wide goals and 3 opportunity area goals); a series of strategies to achieve the goals; and implementation actions. The implementation plan includes a general timeline and the responsible agency for each of the implementation actions. The EDAC will discuss prioritization of the Plan. The implementation plan will then be reviewed in conjunction with the mid-year budget review process to align projects and funding.

Cm. Hudson clarified that the addition of Dougherty Valley will not double the City’s population to133,000 by 2009 as stated in the newspaper. He expressed concern about the first three strategies in Goal C which include attracting new retail sales tax, B2B (Business to Business Sales), and increasing the City’s transient occupancy tax (TOT). He stated that the most important strategy is to strive for a 90% hotel occupancy rate during the week as these people would be shopping when retail sales are typically low. He requested an estimate on the upfront permitting fee for an 80,000 square foot building/hotel. He expressed concern that an increase in the TOT within the next two years might discourage a developer.

Cm. Perkins thanked BAE, EDAC and Mr. Fontes for an excellent report. He looks forward to incorporating the implementation plan into the budget so that funds are spent to help the business community.

Mayor Wilson asked if there were additional opportunities or projects that were thought of after the EDSP was finalized and how BAE will transmit this information to the City. Mr. Alejandrino responded that most of the projects came from EDAC in the interest of the community. One unknown is the real potential for the City Center. Although there is financial support for additional retail space, he questioned if there is sufficient land for a major new mixed use development that would attract major developers and tenants. The City Center has the potential to be a touchstone for the area and benefits the residents and neighboring communities. Ms. Hanson added that EDAC regards the City Center as the two parcels and integrates the Market Place from the freeway and also Bishop Ranch II.

Mayor Wilson said that the residents realize that the City Center concept is the keystone to hold the EDSP together and generate new ideas of what should go into the City. Ms. Hanson stated that the City Center is not the only way to achieve this but it may be the best way.

Cm. Perkins stated that he values the EDAC and their ideas on how to take the implementation plans and develop specific programs that utilize the goals and strategies that can be implemented in the community.

Ms. Hanson stated that the EDSP will be the EDAC work plan for several years.

Mr. Alejandrino noted that the Economic Development department has already started moving forward on several of the implementation actions.

Mayor Wilson complimented the EDAC, staff and consultants who all worked together.

Marc Fontes, Economic Development Director, commented that the EDSP provides a way to measure success. The budget process will be used to fund implementation actions by identifying additional resources. Mayor Wilson opened the public comment.

Roz Rogoff stated that she attended all of the EDSP meetings. She noted that they were very productive, well conducted and that everyone worked together. She complimented Mr. Alejandrino, Ms. Hanson, Mr. Fontes, and the EDAC on a great job.

Donna Kerger spoke as a Chamber of Commerce Board representative and former chair of the General Plan Review Commission. She was pleased that some of the key goals in the EDSP are similar to those in the General Plan. She added that the EDAC did an outstanding job and complimented Mr. Fontes. She remarked that the EDSP is sound, will make things happen, is quantifiable, benefits the residents and she looks forward to the EDSP coming to fruition. Mayor Wilson closed the public comment.

Cm. Hudson commented that the EDSP is fundamentally sound and looks at the big picture for the City.

Cm. Perkins’ motion to adopt the EDSP as presented was seconded by Cm. Hudson and passed 3-0.

The City Manager congratulated Mr. Fontes and the EDAC for the EDSP and thanked them for their work.

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Cm. Hudson reported on the County Connection items mentioned by Mr. Reed. He projects that Dougherty Valley will be included in the link service. He encouraged residents to attend the meetings and voice their opinions. He reported on the discussion of a policy change proposed at a recent LAFCO meeting. He commented that the Urban Limit Line discussion is not over.

Cm. Perkins congratulated the Parks Department staff on the excellent summer concert series. He reminded residents that the Grand Opening of the Dougherty Station Community Center is scheduled for September 24-25, 2005. On September 23, the California Symphony, one of the top symphonies in the United States, will perform a free concert in Central Park.

Mayor Wilson reported on a communication from the United Veterans’ Council that requests support for the Pittsburg City Council for requesting the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to designate an appropriate portion of the former Concord Naval Station for a national cemetery. It will be discussed at the next Council meeting.

There being no further business, Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 8:39 p.m.

Signed:
H. Abram Wilson, Mayor
Patricia Edwards, City Clerk

Approved at the September 13, 2005 City Council meeting, 2-0, Councilmember Perkins absent, Councilmember Rowley and Vice Mayor Livingstone abstain.