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 August 8, 2006 at 7:08 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 2222 Camino Ramon, Mayor Wilson presiding.

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

STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Herb Moniz, City Attorney By Athan, Police Chief Scott Holder, District Engineer and Division Manager Maria Robinson, Deputy City Clerk Marty Wadekamper and City Clerk Patricia Edwards.

* * * *

Rich Carson, Brett Rockwell, Spencer Carter and William Carson of Boy Scout Troop 874 led the Council, staff, and the audience in the pledge of allegiance.

                                                                                               * * * *

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

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

* * * *

The City Clerk administered the Oath of Office to Police Chief Scott Holder.

Police Chief Holder’s wife, Karen, and his mother and step-father, Wilma and Roger Lancina, assisted in the ceremony. Mayor Wilson presented Mrs. Holder and Mr. and Mrs. Lancina with a San Ramon Police Department pin. He congratulated Chief Holder on becoming the City of San Ramon’s first sworn Police Chief.

Chief Holder thanked those attending the swearing-in ceremony. He thanked his wife for her support. He stated that San Ramon has a great Police Department now and he is going to make it even better.

* * * *

The Deputy City Clerk noted that there were no City Council appointments.

* * * *

The Deputy City Clerk noted that there were two requests for public comment.

Donna Kerger thanked Chief Holder for his contributions to the City and congratulated him on his appointment. She reported that the 15^th Annual San Ramon Valley Soccer Club hosted over 1,800 boys and girls between the ages of 11-15. She thanked the Mayor for attending and demonstrating the City’s support for the Tournament. The event revenue to the City was extensive with 250 hotel rooms rented and increased business for restaurants and retail centers. Channel 30 televised portions of the tournament. The new UPN television station, Channel 44, in partnership with the California Youth Soccer Association and Oakland Children’s Hospital Research Center, recorded portions of the event for use by the Research Center to promote early sports medicine for young athletes.

Mayor Wilson asked Mike Conklin, Sentinels of Freedom founder, to speak regarding their meeting with Governor Schwarzenegger. Mr. Conklin outlined the Sentinels scholarship program and recruitment process to the Governor. The Governor pledged his support and was extremely impressed that this local program is the only one of its kind in the nation. Mr. Conklin congratulated Chief Holder on his appointment and thanked him for his work with those interested in law enforcement. Mr. Conklin thanked Police Services Technician Troy Montemayor for his initiative in taking a stray dog rescued at a freeway on ramp to a local veterinarian. An identification chip enabled the dog to be returned to its owner. Mr. Conklin also thanked Sergeant Paul O’Mary for his success in locating a van stolen from a local quadriplegic veteran. Officer O’Mary came in on his day off and, in less than 24 hours, the van was recovered and returned to its owner.

* * * *

Cm. Livingstone’s motion to approve the July 25, 2006 minutes was seconded by Cm. Perkins and passed 5-0.

* * * *

Cm. Perkins’ motion to continue approval of the Register of Demands to the August 22, 2006 meeting and to adopt Police job descriptions and salary ranges for Police Chief, Police Captain, and Police Lieutenant was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 5-0.

* * * *

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

* * * *

Geologic Hazard Abatement District No. 1990-01 (GHAD) Resolution No. 2006-119 – Authorizing the Mayor as GHAD Board Chair to Execute an Agreement with Site Works Construction, Inc. for the Construction of the Carson Court and Reedland Circle Landslide Repair Project (CIPs 5486 and 5487) in an Amount not to Exceed $300,000.

District Engineer and Division Manager Maria Robinson provided the report. The GHAD District was formed in 1990 to prevent, mitigate, abate and control geologic hazards within the West Branch area. With the Dougherty Valley addition, GHAD will include 11,700 residential units, one million square feet of non-residential building, and 2,600 acres of open space. GHAD is funded by assessments collected from area residents at the current rate of $107.15 per residential unit and $.0343 per square foot of non-residential building space. Funds are used to maintain and repair the affected areas through maintenance guidelines. The areas are checked annually and maintained in cooperation with overlapping jurisdictions.

The Carson Court and Reedland Circle Landslide Repair Project (CIPs 5486 and 5487) is being funded by GHAD. Staff recommends that the Council, acting as the Geologic Hazard Abatement (GHAD) Board of Directors, adopt Resolution
No. 2006-119.

Cm. Hudson asked when the project will start. Ms. Robinson stated that once the contract is awarded and processed, the project will start in October and be completed before the rainy season.

Mayor Wilson opened the public hearing. No requests to speak were received. The public hearing was closed. Cm. Hudson’s motion to adopt Resolution 2006-119 was seconded by Cm. Rowley and passed 5-0.

* * * *

City Manager Herb Moniz stated that he met with the County Risk Management Agency. They reviewed the workers compensation and liability insurance requirements for the formation of the San Ramon Police Department and will recommend a favorable rate structure for San Ramon to the Board.

* * * *

Cm. Hudson provided a Southwest Area Transportation (SWAT) meeting report. The Town of Danville will be doing SWAT administrative services for a fee of $25,000 -$35,000. San Ramon requested an advance of $300,000 for Measure J – I-680 carpool lane gap closure transit corridor improvement project.

Cm. Hudson reported that the California Transportation Commission (CTC)’s Caldecott Tunnel recommendation is a fourth bore with three lanes. If approved, this recommendation will increase the amount of time needed to start the project. SWAT may activate the Highway 24 study group and recommends the two lane option which will cost $80 million less than the three lane option. The project needs to start in 2009 and be completed in 2013 to avoid a funding delay. Part of the problem with the delay is the Measure J Bond advancement which has been committed. Cm. Hudson asked for an agreement from the council to support the two lane project.

Cm. Perkins reported on the topics covered by the Contra Costa County Hazardous Material Commission over the last several months. Priority items discussed were electronic waste programs throughout the County. In October, San Ramon’s new garbage service will offer free curbside e-waste collection possibly making it one of the only program of its type in Contra Costa County. Electronic waste can be dropped off at Saf Keep Storage on Purdue Avenue. E-waste revenue supports the work of the Breast Cancer Foundations. Other items discussed were toxic chemical clean up from illegal drug labs, railway storage of hazardous waste and materials, pipeline safety, and Brownfield development, a public health project in the Baypoint area, regional stormwater permit development process, and a household battery collection program. A letter was drafted to the Board of Supervisors supporting a study of how the County can best meet the needs of its citizens in disposing of e-waste. Also discussed was the release at the Conoco-Philips plant and Brownfield development of former industrial sites.

Cm. Hudson noted that the disposal of prescription medications, as well the illegal drug laboratories, is an important issue. The County needs to streamline the process used to communicate with residents in the case of a refinery emergency.

Cm. Rowley thanked the students and their families who participated in the "Relay for Life" at San Ramon High School. San Ramon and Danville students raised hundreds of dollars for cancer research. She complimented the City on the wonderful Concerts in the Park series which offers families an opportunity to enjoy a wonderful day in San Ramon.

Mayor Wilson announced the last summer concert will be held on August 13, 2006. He noted that the City’s Fall Recreation Guide is now available and encouraged residents to participate in City events and classes. Mayor Wilson announced the current openings on City Board and Advisory Committees. He invited residents to apply and become active in the City. Information and forms are available on the City’s web page. He thanked Donna Kerger for organizing the Soccer Tournament and the Boy Scouts for participating in the Council meeting.

There being no further business, Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m.

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

Approved at the August 22, 2006 City Council meeting, 5-0.