MINUTES OF THE
CITY OF SAN RAMON – COUNCIL MEETING

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of San Ramon was held on April 11, 2006 in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 2222 Camino Ramon, Mayor Wilson presiding. The meeting convened to closed session at 6:17 p.m.

PRESENT: Councilmembers Hudson, Livingstone, Perkins, Vice Mayor Rowley, Mayor Wilson.

STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Herb Moniz, City Attorney By Athan, Police Chief Scott Holder, Public Services Director Karen McNamara, Transportation Division Manager Lisa Bobadilla, Engineering Analyst Steven Spedowfski, Economic Development Director Marc Fontes, Engineering Services Director Joye Fukuda, and City Clerk Patricia Edwards.

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The Council met in closed session pursuant to Government Code §54957 to meet with its labor negotiators Jeff Eorio and Cheryl Mitchell Wade concerning negotiations with SEIU Local 790. The Council also met in closed session pursuant to Government Code §54957 to evaluate the position of City Attorney.

At 7:08 p.m., Mayor Wilson reported that no action was taken by the Council on either closed session items.

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Sergeant Santos led the Council, staff, and the audience in the pledge of allegiance.

The City Clerk noted there were no changes or additions to the agenda.

The City Clerk noted there were no changes or additions to the Boards, Committee and Commission meetings schedule listed under Announcements on the agenda.

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Karen McNamara, Public Services Director, introduced Gianna Garcia, a second grader at Coyote Creek Elementary School. As a first grader, Ms. Garcia initiated a recycling program. She has recycled 450 pounds of cans to earn $280 in CRV which she used to purchase 110 books for the school’s library. For her next project, she plans to recycle plastic bags to purchase trees for the school. Mayor Wilson congratulated Ms. Garcia and presented her with a certificate and a City pin. Ms. Garcia thanked her parents for their support and asked the community to work together to take care of the earth.

Sentinels of Freedom Proclamation for Sergeant Anthony Santos.

Mike Conklin introduced Sergeant Anthony Santos. Representatives from several San Ramon Valley veterans groups presented Sgt. Santos with a certificate of appreciation for his service to his country and community. Mayor Wilson presented Sgt. Santos with a proclamation and recognized him for his contributions to the freedoms which we all enjoy. A representative from Congressman Pombo’s office presented Sgt. Santos with a certificate recognizing his commitment, sacrifice and service to protect our freedoms and liberties. Sgt. Santos stated that he was overwhelmed with the positive response and public demonstration of appreciation. He stated that he was proud to do his job.

Proclamation Declaring April 24-30, 2006 West Nile Virus and Mosquito and Vector Control Awareness Week.

Mayor Wilson presented the proclamation to Dick Vesperman. Mr. Vesperman thanked the Council for the proclamation.

Lisa Bobadilla, Transportation Services Manager, announced the sale of Street Smarts merchandise to the public. The Street Smarts program started in September 2004 and is a partnership between San Ramon, Danville, Contra Costa County, the School District and the San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs. Street Smarts is a public awareness traffic safety campaign which educates motorists about driving, bicycling and walking safely. Street Smarts Phase II, started in January 2006, focuses on middle schools. Program sponsors include Bank of Walnut Creek, ClubSport, Sunset Development, Windemere, Shapell, Dreyer’s ice cream and Kaiser. Projects include a community awareness campaign, video contest, a Street Smarts website, Skate Nights, poster contest, and the development of Phase III. Items available for sale starting April 12, 2006 include travel mugs ($10), t-shirts ($10) and tote bags ($20) and feature art work from the 2005 poster contest winners. The merchandise may be purchased at the San Ramon Community Center, the Dougherty Station Community Center and the Transportation Department. All proceeds benefit the Program. Each councilmember received a travel mug.

Vice Mayor Rowley thanked Ms. Bobadilla for her work on the program.

Public Services Director Karen McNamara introduced Greg England, the City’s Employee of the Month for April 2006. He is being recognized for developing a resident accessible street sweeping zone list for the City’s website. Mr. England has received several Gold Star Awards since he started working for the City in December 2001. Mayor Wilson presented Mr. England with a certificate and a gold star paper weight and remarked that caring City staff make San Ramon a beautiful and special place. Mr. England thanked the Council and stated that he is proud of the recognition.

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The City Clerk noted that no Council appointments were scheduled.

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Mayor Wilson called a recess at 7:35 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 7:43 p.m. with all Councilmembers in attendance.

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The City Clerk noted that there were no requests for public comment.

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The City Clerk requested that the Council defer approval of the March 28, 2006 minutes to the April 25, 2006 meeting. Cm. Perkins’ motion to defer approval of the minutes of the March 28, 2006 meeting was seconded by Cm. Hudson and passed 5-0.

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The City Clerk noted that there was a speaker request card for Resolution No. 2006-57.

Engineering Analyst Steven Spedowfski provided a summary of the Landscaping and Lighting (L&L) Engineer’s Report for FY 2006/07. The Engineer’s Report includes the proposed Citywide assessment of $79 per single family unit per year.

Mayor Wilson opened public comment.

Paul Mitchell stated his support for the $20 annual L&L increase. He thanked City staff, Joye Fukuda, Karen McNamara, Steven Spedowfski and Maria Robinson for providing information on the L&L methodology. The methodology for structuring special zones should not impact long term property owners. New developments should assume the cost of additional developments including roadside arterial landscaping. Roadside arterials should be the responsibility of the City and the adjacent private development. He questioned the proposal to transfer funds from the L&L Citywide zones into the special zones. He requested that staff review the methodology in the Engineer’s Report and evaluate it next year in order to ensure that the assessments are consistent with City policy and Proposition 218. Special zone assessments should be detailed so that residents can understand where the money is being used.

Mayor Wilson noted that there will be another meeting to discuss the report and that the questions will be addressed at that meeting. The Mayor closed the public hearing.

Regarding Resolution No. 2006-54, Cm. Livingstone commended the Engineering Department, specifically Moustefa Kendroud, for securing the last land parcel needed to complete the Crow Canyon Corridor Improvement Project.

There being no further discussion, Cm. Hudson’s motion to approve consent calendar items 8.1 through 8.8 was seconded by Cm. Perkins and passed 5-0.

Resolution No. 2006-54 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Right-Of-Way Agreement and Accept a Grant Deed from Fred and Peggy Quontamatteo and Elizabeth and Robert Eshleman for Portions of Properties at 3101, 3111, 3121, and 3131 Crow Canyon Road (APNs 213-010-024, 025, 026, and 027) for an Amount not to Exceed $450,000 - Crow Canyon Corridor Improvement Phase II, CIP Project Nos. 7114, 7127, 7129, 7130, 8125, and 8168.

Resolution No. 2006-55 – Authorizing Budget Adjustments with a Net Budget Increase of $1,083,635 for the Crow Canyon Corridor Improvement Project and

Resolution No. 2006-56 – Establishing a Rate of $35 Per Equivalent Runoff Unit for FY 2006/07 for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Stormwater Program and Requesting the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to Adopt an Annual Parcel Assessment.

Resolution No. 2006-57 – Approving the Landscaping & Lighting District No. 1984-1 Pursuant to the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 Engineer’s Report for FY 2006/07; Adopting a Resolution of Intention to Levy and Collect Assessments for FY 2006/07; and Setting a Public Hearing for June 27, 2006.

Resolution No. 2006-58 – Repealing Resolution No. 2005-85 and Designating and Appointing Standby Officers for the Members of the City Council and the City Manager in the Event of an Emergency.

Resolution No. 2006-59 – Supporting a State Constitutional Amendment to Preserve and Protect Transportation Funds Previously Dedicated to Transportation by Proposition 42.

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Marc Fontes, Economic Development Director, summarized the report. There were no questions from the Council.

Mayor Wilson opened public comment.

David Ernest, representing the Parks and Community Services Commission, stated his support for the Fourth Amendment. He anticipates that adopting this Amendment will provide funding for the Senior Center expansion. If the bonded indebtedness is increased, funds will be available for other projects in the Redevelopment zones which will provide additional economic benefits to the City.

The Mayor closed the public hearing. Cm. Hudson’s motion to waive the reading of the Ordinance and approve and adopt the Proposed Fourth Amendment to the Redevelopment Plan for the City of San Ramon Redevelopment Project was seconded by Cm. Perkins and passed 5-0.

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Resolution No. 2006-60 – Landscaping & Lighting District No. 1984-1 Pursuant to the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972 Declaring the City’s Intention to Conduct Property Owner Assessment Ballot Proceedings on the Matter of Increased Assessments Proposed for Specific Zones (Zone 1 and Zone 2) within said District for FY 2006/07.

Karen McNamara, Public Services Director, gave an overview of the ballot process. Staff recommends an increase of $20 per unit per year. The Citywide Landscaping and Lighting (L&L) ballot will be mailed on May 12, 2006 to all City property owners. The ballots must be returned by June 27, 2006. The voting results will be announced on July 11, 2006. The new assessment will be levied if a majority vote is realized. The Finance Committee has reviewed the recommended ballot process procedures. This balloting provision complies with Proposition 218 and brings all of the City’s Landscape districts into compliance with Proposition 218. Ms. McNamara provided the Council with a sample ballot. The final ballot will include the APN number, current assessment, and proposed assessment. The ballot notice will provide additional information for voters. Ballots can be either mailed or delivered to City Hall. An outside firm will tabulate the ballots. There were no questions from the Council.

Mayor Wilson opened the public comment.

Paul Mitchell noted several changes which were not discussed at the community public meetings. He asked why 40 public parcels which include fire stations, schools and City owned facilities and had not previously been assessed, will be included. He asked who is responsible for the vote on public parcels. He also asked why churches were previously assessed at 50% and if citizens can observe the ballot counting process.

Engineering Services Director Joye Fukuda addressed Mr. Mitchell’s concerns. She stated that public parcels were excluded from assessment as a result of Measure K which was passed by San Ramon voters. Measure K was passed before Proposition 218 became effective. Proposition 218 requires that any parcel which derives special benefits from the Landscaping and Lighting services be assessed. The City Council will vote for the City parcels and she assumed that a similar process will apply for other public agencies. In order to comply with Proposition 218, churches will be charged the full assessment because they derive proportionate benefits relative to L&L.

Jennifer White, special tax consultant with Francisco Associates, reported that the ballot counting will begin on June 28, 2006 in the Council Chamber. Ballots will be scanned and weighted based on their assessment amount. The process may take four days and is open to public inspection.

The Mayor closed the public hearing. Cm. Perkins’ motion to adopt Resolution No. 2006-60 was seconded by Cm. Hudson and passed 5-0.

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City Manager Herb Moniz reported that two employee meetings were held to review the Classification and Compensation Study by Koff and Associates. The Classification portion of the study is expected to be completed in 2 ½ months. Upon completion of the Classification study, the Salary and Benefit comparison study will be initiated. The entire process is expected to be finished in July or August.

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Cm. Hudson reported that the Contra Costa County Transportation Authority (CCCTA) has tentatively approved a new Route #135 which will service Dougherty Valley. It is expected to start on December 18, 2006. The Southwest Area Transportation meeting discussed distribution of 511 Air Quality funds. He also attended the CCCTA’s Planning Committee meeting. He thanked Wente Winery for the excellent nationwide golf tour and added that it was a great event. He is looking forward to the LPGA to be held in Blackhawk in September. He encouraged residents to attend the May 5, 2006 concert from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Dougherty Station Community Center by Steve Seskin, a talented Bay Area musician. Tickets cost $12.00. He asked the Council to consider a Landscaping and Lighting study session specifically focusing on Zones 1 and 2.

Mayor Wilson thanked Mr. Mitchell for his interest and participation which is important to the Council. He noted that the next Contra Costa Mayor’s Conference will feature a program on growth in Contra Costa County presented by MTC and ABAG.

The City Clerk noted that the April 25, May 9, and May 23, 2006 City Council meetings will be held at the San Ramon Community Center, 12501 Alcosta Boulevard.

There being no further business, Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.

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

Approved at the April 25, 2006 City Council meeting, 5-0.