MINUTES OF THE
CITY OF SAN RAMON – COUNCIL MEETING

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of San Ramon was held April 24, 2007 at 7:12 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, District Analyst Steven Spedowfski, Central Services Division Manager Pat Perry, Senior Engineer Robin Bartlett, Community Services Division Manager John Skeel, Recreation Coordinator Adam Chow, Finance Director Greg Rogers, and City Clerk Patricia Edwards.

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Cindy Harper 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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(#4.1) Proclamation Declaring May 6-12, 2007 as Building Safety Week 2007.

Mayor Wilson presented the proclamation to Planning/Community Services Director Phil Wong and the Building and Safety Division staff: Tai Akiwumi, Kong Chung and Michael Elliott. Mr. Wong thanked the Council for recognizing the Building staff.

Mayor Wilson presented the proclamation to Cindy Harper. Ms. Harper stated that "There is no ‘finish line’ until we find a cure." She thanked the Council for this recognition and for the opportunity to promote the event. Cm. Rowley presented Ms. Harper with a certificate thanking her for her leadership in organizing the 2007 Relay for Life which benefits the American Cancer’s Society’s programs and research. Ms. Harper emphasized the importance of diet and exercise in the prevention of certain kinds of cancer. This is the first year that the Relay is being held in San Ramon and the sixth year for the San Ramon Valley. The Relay will be held at California High School.

Mike Conklin was unable to attend the Council meeting so Mayor Wilson described the Sentinels program, the national kick-off event in Atlanta and provided a program update. He stressed the importance of recognizing and taking care of our servicemen. He thanked the San Ramon Valley community for their assistance with this program.

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

Dave Ferguson urged the City Council to consider an ordinance which would require an inspection of the sewer lateral when a house is sold. A sewer lateral is that portion of the sewer line which connects the house’s plumbing to the City’s sewer system. This ordinance would help protect the environment by ensuring that leaks either into or out of the sewer line are not occurring. He provided the Council with materials describing similar programs in Albany and Berkeley.

Roz Rogoff proposed a plan to redistrict San Ramon from the Central Sanitary District to the Dublin-San Ramon Services District. This would eliminate the need for the Larwin Pump Station which has been and will continue to be a safety hazard. She reviewed related information and obstacles. She requested that the City Council take the initiative to form a committee of involved entities to accomplish the redistricting.

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Vice Mayor Perkins’ motion to approve the April 10, 2007 minutes was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 5-0.

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Mayor Wilson called a recess at 7:58 p.m. All Councilmembers reconvened at 8:06 p.m.

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The City Clerk noted that there was a request for comment on item 8.3. Mayor Wilson requested that the item be pulled from the Consent Calendar.

(#8.2) Resolution No. 2007-63– Intention to Approve an Amendment to the Contract Between the Board of Administration California Public Employees Retirement System and the City Council of the City of San Ramon.

(#8.4A) Resolution No. 2007-65 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Sign and Access Easement Agreement Between Bollinger Canyon Partners L.P., Chevron USA, Inc., and the City of San Ramon for a Private Monument Sign at the southeast corner of Bollinger Canyon Road and San Ramon Valley Boulevard at the Bollinger Crossing Shopping Center.

(#8.4B) Resolution No. 2007-66 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Sign and Access Easement Agreement Between Bollinger Canyon Partners L.P. and the City of San Ramon for a Private Tenant Sign at the Southwest Corner of Bollinger Canyon Road and the I680/Bollinger Canyon Road Park N Ride Driveway.

(#8.5) Resolution No. 2007-67 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with MCK Services, Inc. for the Construction of Annual Pavement Management Project, Phase II (CIP 5366) and Norris Canyon Road Pavement Rehabilitation Project (CIP 5468) in an Amount Not to Exceed $934,175.

(#8.6) Resolution No. 2007-68 – Accepting PA 0016 (Sherwood Park, Lot 1 in Subdivision 8509) for Maintenance (Windemere BLC Land Development Co., LLC).

(#8.7) Resolution No. 2007-69 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute Amendment No. 3 to the Existing Agreement with West Coast Arborists, Inc. to Renew the Term of the Agreement for One Year to Provide Tree Maintenance Services in an Annual Amount not to Exceed $253,873.

(#8.8) Resolution No. 2007-70 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute Amendment No. 1 to an Existing Agreement with H&N Enterprises, Inc. to Renew the Term of the Agreement for One Year and Increase the Scope of Work to Include Weed Abatement Services Throughout the City of San Ramon in an Annual Amount not to Exceed $45,440 and a Cumulative Contract Total not to Exceed $60,230.

(#8.9) Resolution No. 2007-71 – Authorizing the City Manager to Investigate and Deny any Claims and Approve Claims Against the City in an Amount not to Exceed Five Thousand Dollars.

(#8.10) Resolution No. 2007-72 – Upholding the Appeal of Planning Commission Resolution No. 01-07 and Denying the Vaglarova Large Family Day Care Land Use Permit (LUP 06-500-033).

(#8.11) Minute Order 2007-06 – Approving the Proposed Amendment to the Economic Development Advisory Committee By-Laws.

(#8.12) Geologic Hazard Abatement District No. 1990-01 (GHAD) - Resolution No. 2007-73 – Approving the Geologic Hazard Abatement District No. 1990-01 (GHAD) FY 2007/08 Engineer’s Report and Updated Reserve Fund Study, Adopting a Resolution of Intention to Order Assessments for FY 2007/08 for GHAD No. 1990-01, and Setting a Public Hearing for May 22, 2007.

(#8.13) Resolution No. 2007-74 – Approving the Landscaping & Lighting District No. 1984-1 District Engineer’s Report for FY 2007/08, Adopting a Resolution of Intention to Levy and Collect Assessments for FY 2007/08, and Setting a Public Hearing for May 22, 2007.

(#8.14) Resolution No. 2007-75 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement with Michael Brandman Associates for Contract Planning Services for the Northwest Specific Plan in an Amount not to Exceed $65,000 including all Reimbursables.

(#8.15) Resolution No. 2007-76 – Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Contracts with the City Council for the Use of Vehicles Owned and Used by Them in the Performance of Their Duties.

(#8.16) Minute Order 2007-07 – City Council Consent to Transfer of All Rights and Liabilities of HPI Canyon Oaks, L.P. to Essex Canyon Oaks Apartments, L.P. Under the Development Agreement Entered into by Windemere Ranch Partners and Contra Costa County.

Cm. Hudson’s motion to approve consent calendar items 8.1 and 8.2 and 8.4 through 8.16 was seconded by Vice Mayor Perkins and passed 5-0.

(#8.3) Resolution No. 2007-64 – Establishing a Rate of $35 Per Equivalent Runoff Unit for FY 2007/08 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.

R. Nathan Greene requested an explanation of the equity of the Equivalent Runoff Unit (ERU) methodology which assigns 1 ERU for residential land uses (5,000 to 20,000 sq. ft.) and 7 ERUs/acre for churches.

District Analyst Steven Spedowfski responded that the ERU rate is consistent with the County’s land use code and that all churches are charged 7 ERUs/acre.

Cm. Hudson noted that $35 is the maximum County wide rate. He said that the County can not increase this rate but that residents should expect the County to impose other fees.

Mr. Spedowfski noted that Proposition 218 requires a vote to increase the ERU cap.

Vice Mayor Perkins’ motion to approve consent calendar item 8.3 was seconded by Cm. Hudson and passed 5-0.

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Pat Perry, Central Services Division Manager, provided the report. The City is required by California Government Code to conduct a public hearing prior to Before the City can levying a new fee or service charge or approving an increase in an existing fee or service charge. She requested that the City Council waive the reading, hold the public hearing, take testimony, close the public hearing and adopt Resolution No. 2007-77. The fees will be implemented on July 1, 2007.

Cm. Hudson asked if the Fee Resolution could be reviewed every other year rather than annually.

City Manager Moniz responded that it is more practical to address this issue annually as the City is unable to predict future costs.

Vice Mayor Perkins requested that, for the 2008-09 Fee Resolution, the Police Department evaluate and review the City’s parking fines and determine if their enforcement is an effective deterrent.

Mayor Wilson opened the public hearing. There were no requests to address this item. Mayor Wilson closed the public hearing.

Vice Mayor Perkins’ motion to adopt Resolution No. 2007-77 was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 5-0.

(#9.2) Public Hearing: Proposed Annexation of Old Ranch Summit into the Geologic Hazard Abatement District No. 1990-01 (GHAD).

Resolution No. 2007-78 – Annexing the Old Ranch Summit into the Geologic Hazard Abatement District No. 1990-01 (GHAD), Setting a Maximum Annual Assessment of $250 per Unit per Year, and Authorizing the Mayor as the GHAD Board Chair to Execute an Agreement with Davidon Homes, Inc. for the Annexation of Old Ranch Summit into the GHAD.

The staff report was given by Robin Bartlett, Senior Engineer. On February 14, 2007, the Finance Committee recommended that the Engineer’s Report be presented to the GHAD Board for approval and that the annexation process proceed. Davidon Homes submitted a petition requesting annexation of the Old Ranch Summit Subdivision into the GHAD.

Cm. Hudson requested clarification of Davidon’s $131,717.02 payment.

Mr. Bartlett explained that this amount includes a one time initial payment of $119,501.52 and an additional payment of $12,215.50 for their share of the reserve.

Mayor Wilson opened the public hearing. There were no requests to address this item. Mayor Wilson closed the public hearing.

Cm. Hudson’s motion to adopt Resolution No. 2007-78 was seconded by Vice Mayor Perkins and passed 5-0.

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(#10.1) Youth Resources Program Annual Report.

John Skeel, Community Services Division Manager, recognized Karen McNamara and former Police Chief Brian Lindblom for their foresight in developing this program for the City in 1996. The report was presented by Recreation Coordinator Adam Chow, Youth Employment Specialist Veronica Gibron, Adriana Russell, MFT, and Recreation Leader II David Lai. This report was reviewed by the Parks and Community Services Commission on March 26, 2007.

The components of the Community and Youth Resources Program (C&YPR) are: Counseling & Prevention; Employment & Job Training; Training & Technical Assistance; Community Service and Diversion; and Recreation. The goals and action plans for each component were reviewed.

Mayor Wilson thanked the community employers who hire San Ramon teens. He encouraged staff to promote the Program availability to the School District, PTAs, and community and service organizations.

The Council and staff discussed the Police Department’s Juvenile Crime Statistics for 2003 through 2006. Wide variations were noted in several categories which may be the result of an increase in the student population and an increase in cultural diversity.

Program highlights include TAG & Divine Minds Support Groups, Youth Employment Training Program, Parent Education, Specialized Education for Diversion, and School Participation. Plans for next year include: Collaborate with Probation and District Attorney’s Office to address gaps in service; create staffing plan with the addition of Dougherty Valley High School and Gale Ranch Middle School; and Create a greater awareness of the C&YRP to parents.

Cm. Rowley noted that there has been amazing growth in the Program. She thanked the City staff for their enthusiasm and knowledge. She suggested Back to School Nights and Parents’ Nights as outreach possibilities.

Mayor Wilson requested that the Program be integrated with the School District’s new HERO Program.

Cm. Hudson remarked that this is a great Program and that the staff is very positive.

Cm. Hudson’s motion to accept the Report was seconded by Vice Mayor Perkins and passed 5-0.

Finance Director Greg Rogers reported that, after adoption of Resolution No. 2007-63, the City is required to conduct a public hearing and approve the introduction of an ordinance that would authorize an amendment to the City’s CALPERS contract to implement the retirement upgrade from 2.0% to 2.7% at 55. He noted that the Memorandum of Understanding with CalPERS was approved on march 27, 2007.

There were no questions from the Council.

Mayor Wilson opened the public hearing. There were no requests to address this item.

Mayor Wilson closed the public hearing.

Cm. Hudson’s motion to introduce the Ordinance, waive the reading, hold the public hearing and continue the item to the May 22, 2007 meeting was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 5-0.

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City Manager Herb Moniz had no comments.

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Cm. Hudson reported on the East Bay Regional Parks District meeting and the expenditure of Park bonds, Measure A funds, and Landscape and Lighting funds.

Cm. Rowley thanked the staff for organizing an exceptional Teen Job Fair which was held on April 21, 2007. The turn out was great and the interviews provided a great experience for the teens.

Vice Mayor Perkins noted that a new San Ramon restaurant guide is available in the City’s Summer Recreation Guide.

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Mayor Wilson reminded residents that the San Ramon Farmers’ Market will open on May 5, 2007 at Forest Home Farms. He encouraged residents to get involved and submit their application to serve on a City Committee or Commission by the May 11, 2007 deadline. He informed residents that the City’s new Summer Recreation Guide is now available.

There being no further business, Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m.

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

Approved at the May 8, 2007 City Council meeting, 5-0.