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 27, 2007 at 6:46 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, Finance Director Greg Rogers, Economic Director Marc Fontes, Emergency Preparedness Manager Ray Riordan, and City Clerk Patricia Edwards.

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At 6:46 p.m., the Council met in closed session pursuant to Government Code §54957 to meet with its labor negotiators Greg Rogers, and Cheryl Mitchell Wade – SEIU Local 1021. No action was taken by the Council. At 7:03 p.m., Mayor Wilson reconvened the meeting. All Councilmembers were in attendance.

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Brian Beck, Max Bramer, Jake Cothran, Spencer Hight, Miles McArthur, Jarad Ringener and Mitch Sanford of Boy Scout Troop 201, Country Club Elementary School, 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 there were none.

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Finance Director Greg Rogers introduced Luann Silva, who is being recognized for the major accomplishments she performed as the City’s main payroll person. He recapped her 12 year employment history with the City. Mayor Wilson thanked Ms. Silva on behalf of the Council for her dedication and presented her with a certificate and a gold star paper weight. Ms. Silva thanked the Council for the recognition.

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(#5.1) Economic Development Advisory Committee Appointments

Economic Development Director Marc Fontes reported on the membership changes to the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) by-laws. Currently, there are vacancies for two members-at-large and one San Ramon business owner.

Mayor Wilson stated that two ads were placed in the San Ramon Valley Times. No applicants qualified for the San Ramon business owner vacancy. He directed the Council to vote for two members-at-large. He requested that the Policy Committee evaluate the revised EDAC membership by-laws for possible changes. City Attorney By Athan stated that the Mayor can recommend an item be forwarded to the Policy Committee without a formal Council motion. The City Clerk provided ballot procedure information. Mr. Fontes assisted with ballot tabulation. Mayor Wilson announced that John Dickenson and Richard San Vicente were selected to fill the member-at-large EDAC vacancies.

Vice Mayor Perkins’ motion to appoint John Dickenson and Richard San Vicente to the EDAC with terms to run through January 2009 was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 5-0.

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The City Clerk noted that there was one request for public comment.

Chi Nguyen invited residents to attend the 8^th Annual Concert on April 1, 2007 at the Amador Theater in Pleasanton. Concert proceeds benefit street children in Viet Nam. She has raised over $72,000 through her concerts for this effort. For additional information or donations visit: www.vnyouthprojects.net. Mayor Wilson remarked that this is a great concert for a good cause and remarked how one person can make a difference. Cm. Rowley stated that she is proud of Ms. Nguyen for following her dream and making a difference. Cm. Livingstone stated that Ms. Nguyen is an amazing person and that he is proud of her accomplishments.

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Vice Mayor Perkins’ motion to approve the February 22, 2007 minutes was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 5-0.

Cm. Rowley’s motion to approve the March 13, 2007 minutes was seconded by Vice Mayor Perkins and passed 5-0.

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(#8.1) Ordinance No. 391 – Implementing the Elected Mayor’s Task Force Recommendations.

(#8.2) Resolution No. 2007-36 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Two-Year Contract Renewal with PFM Asset Management LLC for Investment Advisory Services in an Amount not to Exceed $200,000.

(#8.3) Resolution No. 2007-37 – Authorizing the Allocation of $200,000 in Additional Funding to Complete the In-House Police Transition Process.

(#8.4) Resolution No. 2007-38 – Authorizing Expenditure for the Purchase of Police Uniforms from Concord Uniforms in an Amount not to Exceed $65,000.

(#8.5) Resolution No. 2007-39 – Authorizing Expenditures for the Maintenance and Repair of Police Vehicles with Ace Auto Repair and Tire Center in an Amount not to Exceed $74,000.

(#8.6) Resolution No. 2007-40 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff for Police Dispatch Services in the Amount of $821,072.

(#8.7) Resolution No. 2007-41 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff for Forensic Services and the Storage of all Property and Evidence Collected Prior to July 1, 2007 in an Amount not to Exceed $81,258.

(#8.8) Resolution No. 2007-42 – Authorizing Expenditure for the Purchase of Handguns, Rifles, Ammunition, Police Duty Gear and Ballistic Vests from L.C. Action Police Supply in an Amount not to Exceed $61,000.

(#8.9) Resolution No. 2007- 43 – Authorizing Replacement and Equipping of a Police Service Technician Vehicle Through an Expenditure from the Vehicle Replacement Fund in the Amount of $19,670.

(#8.10) Resolution No. 2007-44 – Finding that the Use of Redevelopment Agency Low and Moderate Income Housing Set-Aside Funds to Assist an Affordable Housing Project to be Developed by American Baptist Homes of the West will be of Benefit to the San Ramon Redevelopment Project Area.

(#8.11) Resolution No. 2007-45 – Accepting Certain Landscape Dedications and Improvements in Subdivision 8632 for Maintenance (Shapell Industries - Renaissance at Gale Ranch).

(#8.12) Resolution No. 2007-46 – Authorizing Execution of the Memorandum of Understanding with Service Employees International Union Local 1021.

Cm. Hudson’s motion to approve consent calendar items 8.1 through 8.12 was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and
passed 5-0.

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Ray Riordan, Emergency Preparedness Manager, summarized the report which recommends adopting the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Report "Taming Natural Disasters" and approving the San Ramon Annex to the ABAG plan with its associated strategies which meet local community needs and fulfills the Department of Homeland Security Disaster Mitigation Act 2000 requirements.

Mayor Wilson asked when and how the City can apply for the pre-disaster funds. Mr. Riordan replied that the City can apply for funding at the end of 2007 if the plan is approved. Funding requests are submitted to the State and subject to a competitive bidding process. If approved, funds will be awarded to the City in April 2008.

Cm. Livingstone asked how much funding is available. Mr. Riordan stated that California dispersed $32 million in 2005 with grants ranging from $50,000 to $150,000.

Vice Mayor Perkins asked Mr. Riordan to identify San Ramon’s funding priorities. Mr. Riordan responded that the City has identified several areas where funding is needed to improve hazard mitigation. In particular, the City needs to complete the assessment of its critical facilities relative to seismic and other hazards and inventory soft story buildings.

Mayor Wilson requested that the City data provided in the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan

Annex be updated. He questioned why the gas pipeline under the Iron Horse Trail and the water reservoir were not included. Mr. Riordan replied that the ABAG plan focuses primarily on the City’s physical attributes and needs and not on the infrastructure of ‘private’ items. These concerns can be added to San Ramon’s Annex.

Cm. Livingstone asked for the definition of a soft story apartment. Mr. Riordan explained that it is a building which has parking structures underneath. Without sufficient stabilization, the heavy upper layers may slide during an earthquake.

Mayor Wilson stressed the importance of disaster preparedness for San Ramon. He requested that any plan updates be provided to the Council prior to ABAG. He requested that the City have an established policy to proceed with the plan in the event that ABAG is unwilling or unable to act as the lead agency in the multi-jurisdictional effort.

Vice Mayor Perkins’ motion to adopt Resolution No. 2007-47 was seconded by Cm. Rowley and passed 5-0.

Ray Riordan, Emergency Preparedness Manager, provided the report. In 1989, the City of San Ramon Disaster Council was accredited by the State Emergency Council according to the California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Section2571. The same regulation allows the Disaster Council via the City Council to authorize public officials to execute the Disaster Service Workers (DSW) program and register volunteers as DSW. The SRVFPD trains the volunteers and certifies their completion.
Mr. Riordan recommended that the City Council authorize the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District Fire Chief to approve the registration of the CERT personnel as DSW.

Vice Mayor Perkins’ motion to adopt Resolution No. 2007-48 was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 5-0.

Emergency Preparedness Manager Ray Riordan stressed the importance of maximizing resources between Contra Costa and Alameda counties. The Homeland Security Department is more likely to fund regional projects. In order to qualify for the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant funding, the City must adopt a Letter of Intent which supports the formation of a communications system governed by a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) for Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. However, grant funding is not expected to cover the entire cost of establishing the communications system. Additional costs include infrastructure costs for the microwave radio towers, radios compatible with the new system, and related operational costs.

Vice Mayor Perkins questioned the number of radios available.

Chief Holder responded that the Police Department has 85 radios. Mayor Wilson indicated that the City also needs to provide radios for the Public Services Department.

Vice Mayor Perkins indicated the need to include the East Bay Regional Park District and East Bay Municipal Utility District in addition to the Fire District in the JPA. Mr. Riordan suggested that these and other districts could be included in the future.

Cm. Livingstone noted that the communications system is extremely expensive and questioned how the City will pay for it if federal funding is not received. Mayor Wilson stated that the City is proceeding based on the federal government’s commitment to interoperability. City Manager Herb Moniz noted that the original Contra Costa County effort was moving forward without federal funding using the Marin County model which placed the item on their ballot. When the importance of this item is communicated to residents, he believes that citizens will assess a tax to fund the system.

Cm. Rowley asked if the hospitals will be included in the system. Mr. Riordan said yes. Mayor Wilson noted that the goal is for all first responders to be included in this communications system. All of the cities in Alameda County have signed this agreement.

Vice Mayor Perkins’ motion to adopt Resolution No. 2007-49 was seconded by Cm. Rowley and passed 5-0.

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City Manager Herb Moniz reported that a special edition of the City Newsletter, featuring the City Center, will be mailed to residents and businesses this week. Meetings are being scheduled with all City board, committees, the Parks Commission, service groups, Landscape and Lighting groups, and the City’s Home Owner Associations’ Boards to provide information on the City Center project. A City Center Fact Sheet is available on the City’s web page. A City Center telephone hot line will be established. Sunset Development has produced an excellent brochure. He asked the Council to provide ideas for additional outreach efforts. Vice Mayor Perkins asked if Sunset Development will make a project model. Mr. Moniz responded that they plan to make one. Vice Mayor Perkins asked if groups can request a City Center presentation. Mr. Moniz suggested that they can contact the City Manager or City Clerk’s office to schedule a presentation.

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Cm. Rowley announced that the March 20, 2007 Informational Meeting for the Senior Center Expansion Project was well attended and provided excellent input. Other Senior activities include: a Fashion Show on April 21; Sunday Breakfast on April 15; a Live Well Resource Fair on May 19; income tax assistance by appointment; and the first 580/680 Senior Games in September. The Senior Center Expansion Ground Breaking is scheduled on April 9, 2007. She commended the Parks staff for the awards received at the recent California Parks Awards Recreation Society District Conference.

Cm. Hudson reported on his attendance at the California Transportation Commission meeting. The Board discussed distribution of $4.5 billion in obligation bonds. He attended the recent Planners Institute and learned that 8 counties in California contain 60% of the state’s population. He reported that AB 32 is proceeding through the legislative process. This bill would require that California reduce the level of carbon dioxide emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. He requested that the Open Space and Conservation Advisory Committee be referred to the Policy Committee for reevaluation and compliance with the General Plan. He requested that the Environmental Affairs Advisory Committee (EAAC) be reestablished per the City’s General Plan. The City also needs to establish a procedure regarding first right of refusal on land in the County.

Cm. Livingstone stated his support for Cm. Hudson’s comments on the EAAC.

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Mayor Wilson thanked Mark Ibanez, KTVU Sports Director, for hosting the Run Like the Wind Half Marathon/5K event which was held on March 25, 2007. The very successful event was presented by Windemere. He thanked all the participants and acknowledged City staff for coordinating a great event. Leadership San Ramon sponsored the well attended pre-event dinner.

Mayor Wilson invited residents to attend the Grand Opening of the San Ramon Farmers Market on Saturday, May 5, 2007, at Forest Home Farms.

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At 8:21 p.m., the Council met in closed session pursuant to: (1) Government Code §54957 to evaluate the position of City Manager; and (2) Government Code §54957 to evaluate the position of City Attorney.

At 8:55 p.m., Mayor Wilson reported that no action was taken by the Council on the two closed session items.

There being no further business, Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 8:56 p.m.

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

Approved at the April 10, 2007 City Council meeting, 5-0.