MINUTES OF THE
CITY OF SAN RAMON – COUNCIL MEETING

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of San Ramon was held March 13, 2007 at 7:11 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 2222 Camino Ramon, Mayor Wilson presiding.

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

STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Herb Moniz, City Attorney Byron Athan, Police Chief Scott Holder, Recreation Services Division Manager Esther Lucas, Transportation Division Manager Lisa Bobadilla, and City Clerk Patricia Edwards.

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Transportation Division Manager Lisa Bobadilla led the staff and the audience in the pledge of allegiance.

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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 the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for March 20, 2007 has been cancelled.

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Recreation Services Division Manager Esther Lucas introduced Thomas McNamara. She reviewed his contributions to the community as a member of the Parks and Community Services Commission. Mayor Wilson presented Mr. McNamara with a plaque thanking him for his service and contributions to the quality of life in San Ramon. Mayor Wilson expressed appreciation for Mr. McNamara’s commitment and invited him to return as a Commissioner if a future opportunity presented itself. Mr. McNamara thanked the Council and the residents for their support.

Transportation Division Manager Lisa Bobadilla reported that 275 students participated in the 2007 Street Smarts Poster Contest. The 2007 themes included driving in bad weather and driving safely in school parking lots. Grand Prize Winner Patricia Militante, Second Place Winner Jazlyn Luu, Second Place Winner Karin Horikoshi and Third Place Winner Timothy Yao appeared with their winning posters. Mayor Wilson presented each of them with a certificate. He noted that it is important for children to understand these safety concepts. He thanked the parents for their support of the Street Smarts program.

Sadaf Sareshwala reported that the Jade Ribbon Club at California High School, in conjunction with the Stanford Asian Liver Center, has recognized this health hazard. The students want to expand the awareness of this disease to the San Ramon community. Several events will be held at California High School. An information brochure is also available. Mayor Wilson presented Ms. Sareshwala with a proclamation and thanked the Jade Ribbon Club for their outreach efforts.

Kathy Chiverton provided an overview of the Here Everyone Reaches Out (HERO) Program. The Coalition is a broad based community alliance working to become youth advocates. The Coalition’s goals are to: engage youth in issues that affect them and give them an opportunity to have a voice; provide community education and involvement; and develop financial support for the program. She stressed the importance of working together to support the youth in our community.

Terry Koehne reviewed the need for positive youth/adult connections. These connections are critical for building personal assets and helping to prevent at-risk behavior in youth. HERO’s target is the adults in the community and the ways in which they can improve conditions for positive youth experiences. The focus is on personal commitment by adults rather than on programs and policy. The HERO Public Awareness Campaign will be delivered via printed materials, radio public service announcements, and television public service announcements. Mr. Koehne invited the residents to attend the public launch scheduled for April 26, 2007 at the San Ramon Community Center.

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Mayor Wilson called a recess at 7:50 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 7:58 p.m. with all Councilmembers in attendance.

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Transportation Division Manager Lisa Bobadilla provided the report. She noted that, after the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) appointments, there will still be two vacancies on the TAC, one general member and one Chamber of Commerce representative. Cm. Hudson questioned whether the TAC should be comprised of an even or an odd number of members. Ms. Bobadilla replied that the TAC membership had been decreased from seven members to six members. There have been no issues with voting as a result of the even numbered committee.

Vice Mayor Perkins’ motion to appoint James McVay and Steve Simmons for terms to run through February 2009 to the TAC and directed staff to continue to recruit for the remaining vacancies was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and
passed 5-0.

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

Roz Rogoff invited residents to volunteer to assist the Tri-Valley Animal Rescue (TVAR) by sheltering animals in their homes. Fostering the animals removes them from the shelter and assists in acclimating the animals to people in preparation for adoption. She urged pet owners to spay and neuter their pets and encouraged residents to adopt pets.

On behalf of the American Red Cross (ARC), Pauline Nolte thanked the City for donating the use of the Terrace Room at the San Ramon Community Center for a Community Blood Drive on April 12, 2007. The blood drive is being conducted in honor of Ms. Nolte’s late husband, Ron. She invited residents to participate. She encouraged the City to help ARC to support future community blood drives by providing a facility. She urged other service groups to organize future events.

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Cm. Hudson’s motion to approve the February 27, 2007 minutes was seconded by Vice Mayor Perkins and passed 5-0.

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(#8.2) Resolution No. 2007-30 – Consenting to Relieve PJ Atkinson Construction of their Bid and Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with Sausal Corporation for the Construction of the Senior Center Expansion Project (CIP 5424) in an Amount not to Exceed $3,933,050.

(#8.3A) Resolution No. 2007-31 – Accepting Certain Landscape Dedications and Improvements in Subdivision 8631 for Maintenance (Shapell Industries - Villa Paseo at Gale Ranch).

(#8.3B) Resolution No. 2007-32 – Accepting Certain Landscape Dedications and Improvements in Parcel P of Subdivision 7984 for Maintenance (Shapell Industries - Monarch at Gale Ranch).

(#8.4) Resolution No. 2007-33 – Landscaping & Lighting District No. 1984-1 Describing New Improvements and Ordering the District Engineer to Prepare and File an Engineer’s Report for FY 2007/08.

(#8.5) Resolution No. 2007-34 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement with Folger Graphics for Design Services for the Summer and Fall 2007 Editions of the Recreation Guide in an Amount not to Exceed $15,500.

Cm. Hudson’s motion to approve consent calendar items 8.1 through 8.5 was seconded by Cm. Rowley and
passed 5-0.

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City Manager Herb Moniz summarized the report. Cm. Hudson asked for clarification on the procedure. Mr. Moniz requested that the Council open the public hearing, introduce the Ordinance, close the public hearing, and adopt Resolution No. 2007-35.

Mayor Wilson stated that he supports the recommendations provided by the Elected Mayor’s Task Force (EMTF). They met their charge which was to define the duties of the Mayor as of January 1, 2001. The duties of the mayor as presented in the proposed Ordinance are incomplete because they are based on the duties of an appointed, rather than an elected, mayor. He will ask the Council to address this item in the future as he feels that additional work needs to be done.

Cm. Rowley noted that the mayor’s job responsibilities have become more complex than when the EMTF examined the mayor’s duties.

Cm. Hudson agrees with the EMTF but pointed out that the duties of an elected mayor are different from the duties of a rotational mayor. He suggested that the EMTF recommendations be used as a reference point.

Mayor Wilson opened the public comment.

Roz Rogoff stated that the mayor’s duties should not be in the City Charter. She recommended removal of the mayor’s duties from the City Charter.

Vice Mayor Perkins noted that the Measure which was voted on by the residents specified the duties of the mayor as of January 1, 2001. The Council is codifying those duties as required. Any changes must be presented to the voters.

Cm. Hudson supported reexamining this issue and the duties of an elected mayor.

Mayor Wilson closed the public hearing.

Cm. Hudson’s motion to introduction the Ordinance implementing the Elected Mayor’s Task Force’s recommendations pertaining to the duties of the elected mayor, conduct the public hearing, waive the reading and continue the item to the next Council meeting was seconded by Vice Mayor Perkins and passed 5-0.

Cm. Hudson’s motion to adopt Resolution No. 2007-35 was seconded by Cm. Rowley and passed 5-0.

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(#10.1) Transportation Advisory Committee Annual Report.

Lisa Bobadilla, Transportation Services Manager, presented an overview of the Transportation Advisory Committee’s (TAC) ongoing responsibility of reviewing transportation issues affecting the City. The TAC acts as the clearing house for all residential traffic calming program issues and concerns brought to the City by residents. Ms. Bobadilla introduced Gordon Kimber, the TAC chairperson.

Mr. Kimber reviewed the TAC’s 2006 accomplishments and TAC’s 2007 Work Plan and Significant Issues. Mr. Kimber complimented the Transportation staff for being responsive to citizen’s concerns. TAC has contributed to a safer and more resident friendly City. He informed the Council that he is resigning because he is relocating to the United Kingdom.

Mayor Wilson thanked Mr. and Mrs. Kimber for their service to the City.

Cm. Hudson asked Mr. Kimber if there was a problem having an even number of TAC members. He suggested including a representative from the Housing Advisory Committee since housing and transportation are closely related. Mr. Kimber responded that the TAC has not encountered any problem with an even numbered committee.

Vice Mayor Perkins thanked Mr. Kimber for his service and noted that Mr. Kimber

conducts excellent meetings and provided good comments to staff and to the Council. The Residential Traffic Calming Tool Kit is a great tool and residents appreciate having a process in place to deal with their concerns.

Cm. Livingstone thanked Mr. Kimber for his service and noted that he is a true leader for the TAC. Cm. Rowley also thanked the Kimber family for their service to the City.

Vice Mayor Perkins’ motion to accept the TAC Annual Report was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 5-0.

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City Manager Herb Moniz asked Cm. Hudson if he was going to discuss the Open Space and Conservation Advisory Committee. Cm. Hudson responded that he was not.

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Cm. Hudson reported on his attendance at the Residential Recovery Facilities Conference on March 2, 2007. He reviewed some of the applicable legislation and alerted the Council to the need to stay informed on future developments. Mayor Wilson requested that the item be agendized at a future Council meeting.

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Mayor Wilson encouraged residents to serve on one of the openings on the City’s Board, Committees and Commission as an excellent way to learn about the community. He reported on his trip to the National Kick-Off for the Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Program in Atlanta, Georgia. He commended Mike Conklin for starting the program in San Ramon and recognized the corporate sponsors and Valley residents who have made the Program a success. He thanked the Council for their support of the Program. He adjourned the meeting to Closed Session.

At 8:56 p.m., the Council met in closed session pursuant to: (1) Government Code §54957 to meet with its labor negotiators Greg Rogers, and Cheryl Mitchell Wade – SEIU Local 1021; (2) Government Code §54956.9 to confer with legal counsel regarding Gloria Vaughn et al v. City of Antioch et al and East Bay Regional Park District v. City of San Ramon et al; (3) Government Code §54957 to evaluate the position of City Manager; and (4) Government Code §54957 to evaluate the position of City Attorney.

At 10:21 p.m., Mayor Wilson reported that no action was taken by the Council on the four closed session items.

There being no further business, Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 10:23 p.m.

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

Approved at the March 27, 2007 City Council meeting, 5-0.