MINUTES OF THE
CITY OF SAN RAMON – COUNCIL MEETING

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of San Ramon was held June 26, 2007 at 7:06 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 2222 Camino Ramon, Mayor Wilson presiding.

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

ABSENT: Councilmember Rowley.

STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Herb Moniz, City Attorney Byron Athan, Police Chief Scott Holder, Recreation Services Division Manager Esther Lucas, Transportation Specialist PJ Sekhon, Recreation Coordinator Steve Cox, Finance Division Manager Eva Howard, Parks and Community Services Director Jeff Eorio, Transportation Division Manager Lisa Bobadilla, Community Services Division Manager John Skeel, and City Clerk Patricia Edwards.

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The San Ramon Special Olympics Bocce Ball Team, Stephanie Brock, Christy Dodge and Amber Goulart, 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) Recognition of the 2007 Art & Wind Festival Sponsors: Presenting Sponsor – Chevron; Gold Sponsor – Windemere, Comcast; Silver/Media Sponsors – San Ramon Regional Medical Center, Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center, Fox Real Estate, San Ramon Marriott, Contra Costa Times, Today’s Home.

Recreation Services Division Manager Esther Lucas reported that approximately 100,000 people attended this year's Art & Wind Festival. She recognized the sponsors and their level of support: Presenting Sponsor Chevron at $20,000; Gold Sponsors Windemere and Comcast at $5,000; and Silver/Media Sponsors at $3,000 - $30,000. Ms. Lucas encouraged residents to patronize all of the sponsors and thank them for supporting the event. Representatives from Chevron, Comcast, and the Contra Costa Times received framed posters from Mayor Wilson. They stated that they enjoyed supporting the City. He thanked all of the sponsors for their generous support of this event.

(#4.2) Recognition of Charles "Chuck" Tyler, owner of Dublin Cyclery, and Hanna Ma, Hidden Hills Elementary Assistant Principal, for their Contributions to the 2007 Bike to School Day Event at Hidden Hills Elementary School.

Transportation Specialist PJ Sekhon reported that 300 students participated in the Third Annual Bike to School event which included a breakfast party, bike safety assembly, after school bike rodeo obstacle course, bike fitness clinic, bike safety games, and bike safety clinic. Mr. Tyler was unable to be present. Mayor Wilson presented a certificate to Hanna Ma, Assistant Principal at Hidden Hills Elementary School. Ms. Ma noted that the event was a great success. She thanked Dublin Cyclery and the PTA volunteers. She observed a decrease in the number of cars transporting students to school and concluded that more students were riding their bicycles to school as a result of this event.

Recreation Coordinator Steve Cox introduced the team members and stated that he was proud to be their coach. Mayor Wilson presented certificates to Stephanie Brock, Christy Dodge and Amber Goulart. He thanked them for representing the City and congratulated them for winning the Silver Medal for Doubles Event and the Gold Medal for Team Event at the Special Olympics 2007 Summer Games. City Manager Moniz noted that the team also represented the City at the recent Madden/Mariuchi Bocce Ball Tournament.

Mayor Wilson presented Finance Division Manager Eva Howard with the Government Finance Officers Association's (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Financial Reporting. Ms. Howard stated that this is a prestigious award in the area of finance and she was pleased to be the recipient. The GFOA oversees governmental agencies. She noted that the City has received this award for two years. She acknowledged the contributions of the Finance Department staff for making this award possible.

Parks and Community Services Director Jeff Eorio introduced two new staff members. Jen Hemstad is responsible for the after school enrichment program and leisure classes and replaces Steve Cox. Suzy Chow is responsible for coordinating special events and cultural events and replaces Kim French. Mayor Wilson presented each of them with a City pin and welcomed them to the San Ramon family. Ms. Hemstad remarked that she is looking forward to working with the Parks Department team. Ms. Chow said that she is excited to return to San Ramon and serve the community.

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Recreation Services Division Manager Esther Lucas reported that there are four vacancies on the Arts Advisory Committee (AAC). The vacancies were advertised in the San Ramon Valley Times, the City web site, and through City postings. Six applications were received by the March 28, 2007 closing date. The applicants were Cindi Hagley, Mike Kasin, Mike McQuiston, Nido Paras, Pallavi Sharma, PhD., and Mona Valle.

Applicants were interviewed by a sub-committee of the Parks and Community Services Commission who then made appointment recommendations to the full Commission.

Vice Mayor Perkins’ motion to appoint Cindi Hagley, Mike McQuiston, Nido Paras, and Pallavi Sharma, PhD to the AAC for terms to run through April 2009 was seconded by Cm. Hudson and passed 4-0. As the Council liaison to the AAC, Vice Mayor Perkins stated that he was pleased with the Committee’s projects. The AAC members are very active and passionate about their work. He thanked the AAC members for their service.

Recreation Services Division Manager Esther Lucas provided the report. The Senior Citizens’ Advisory Committee (SAC) vacancies were advertised in the San Ramon Valley Times, and the City web site and through City postings. Two applications were submitted by the May 11, 2007 deadline. Applicants were interviewed by a Parks Commission sub-committee who then recommended the appointments to the full Commission.

Vice Mayor Perkins’ motion to appoint Bruce Silverman and Colleen Vitalis to the SAC with terms expiring April 2009 was seconded by Cm. Hudson and passed 4-0.

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

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Vice Mayor Perkins’ motion to approve the June 12, 2007 minutes was seconded by Cm. Hudson and passed 4-0.

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Mayor Wilson requested that item 8.8 and 8.10 be pulled. There was a request for public comment on item 8.9.

(#8.1) Ordinance No. 394 – Approving Prezoning 07-610-001 for the Property Commonly Known as Windemere Phase 3 & 5C.

(#8.2) Ordinance No. 395 – Describing the Redevelopment Agency’s Acquisition Authority within the City of San Ramon Redevelopment Project in Compliance with a New Requirement of the California Community Redevelopment Law.

(#8.3) Minute Order 2007-11 – Authorizing the Award of Bid for Police Vehicle Maintenance and Repairs to Ace Auto Repair.

(#8.4) Minute Order 2007-12 – Authorizing the Mayor to Approve Annual Purchases with Sierra Chemical Company to Supply Pool and Fountain Chemicals to the Public Services Department in an Amount Not to Exceed One Hundred Fifty-Six Thousand Dollars and Authorizing Staff to Issue Purchase Orders for all Subsequent Renewals, Increases in Scope and/or Funds in a Total Length Not to Exceed Five Years.

(#8.6) Resolution No. 2007-113 – Approving the City of San Ramon’s Statement of Investment Policy for FY 2007/08.

(#8.7) Resolution No. 2007-114 – Accepting Certain Trail Dedications and Trail Improvements Within RA 1136 for Maintenance (Shapell Industries – Monarch at Gale Ranch).

(#8.11) Resolution No. 2007-118 – Rejecting the Bid from Allied Construction for the San Ramon Community Center Exterior Expansion Joint Sealant Project (CIP 5431).

(#8.12) Resolution No. 2007-119 – Authorizing Execution of the Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of San Ramon and Sworn Police Employees.

Vice Mayor Perkins' motion to adopt consent calendar items 8.1 through 8.7 and items 8.11 and 8.12 was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 4-0.

(#8.8) Resolution No. 2007-115 – Accepting an Access Easement Between the Bent Creek Open Space Trail in the City of San Ramon and the Alamo Creek Bicycle Path in the City of Dublin Located at the End of Crossridge Road in Dublin for Emergency Vehicle Access and Trail Purposes.

Cm. Hudson acknowledged the Dublin and San Ramon City staff for their work in achieving the trail opening which benefits the residents of Dublin and San Ramon. He thanked City Managers Dick Ambrose and Herb Moniz, Tony Orvitz, Dublin Mayor.

Lockhart and Cm. Rowley for their work. He added that he would like the Council to consider enlarging the trail presence in this area.

(#8.9) Resolution No. 2007-116 – Authorizing the Mayor to Submit an Application to Obtain a Priority Development Area Designation for the City Center Area Relative to the Focusing Our Vision Program.

Roz Rogoff requested clarification on Resolution No. 2007-116 and the purpose of the Focusing Our Vision Program. She noted that the priority development area designation was limited to projects of 100 acres and that the City Center project is 39 acres. She asked what benefits this Program will offer and to whom.

Cm. Hudson responded that the Program is sponsored by the Metropolitan Traffic Commission (MTC). Funds are available to promote smart growth. The proposed transit village at the City Center is an ideal situation to take advantage of available Program funds. He stated that Chevron is not involved and that the City is pursuing these funds.

Vice Mayor Perkins added that the transit center would serve the entire proposed priority development area which includes Sunset, Bishop Ranch, Shops at Bishop Ranch, the Marketplace, Central Park and the City Center site.

Cm. Hudson stated that the core is 39 acres but the transit center will serve a larger area.

Mayor Wilson added that it is necessary to apply now in order to be eligible for future funding. He thanked Ms. Rogoff for her inquiry.

(#8.10) Resolution No. 2006-117 – Authorizing the Mayor to Amend the Contract with CBS Outdoor for the City’s Transit Shelter Program.

Transportation Division Manager Lisa Bobadilla stated that the amendment to the contract with CBS Outdoor would provide up to 25 additional transit shelters in the City. Staff has identified eight locations for shelters within the City. Shelters may be either commercial or noncommercial. The City receives 15% of the gross revenue generated by the commercial shelters which are located in commercial or retail areas. Commercial advertisements are not permitted in shelters which are located in residential areas. The ratio of commercial to noncommercial shelters is 3:1. The City has the final say on any proposed advertising and shelter placement.

Cm. Hudson's motion to adopt consent calendar items 8.8, 8.9 and 8.10 was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and
passed 4-0.

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(#10.1) Resolution No. 2007-120 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of San Ramon, Contra Costa County, and the Contra Costa Community College District for the Joint Use of the Dougherty Station Library.

The staff report was presented by John Skeel, Community Services Division Manager. He recognized and thanked Anna Koch, the San Ramon Head Librarian, for her contributions to the Joint Use Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU is based on the concepts derived from the Library Services Master Plan and brings the City, the County and the College District together in a formal agreement to operate the Dougherty Station Library (DSL) as a joint use community asset. The Council's Policy Committee reviewed the MOU at its April 4, 2007 meeting. The composition of the Joint Use Library Advisory Committee (JULAC) was modified to add a seventh representative to ensure that there are no tie votes. There will be two representatives from the County, two from the College District, and three from the City.

The DSL hours of operation will be expanded to add Monday and to bring the total weekly hours to 50. The City will be responsible for the additional custodial costs which are estimated to be $4,000 per year. The College District will pay for the additional day and additional hours of operation, estimated to be $200,000 annually. The County will not be adding funding. Their employees will act as both County and college librarians. The new operational hours are expected to begin in August 2007.

Cm. Hudson stated that this is a good agreement.

Cm. Hudson's motion to adopt Resolution No. 2007-120 was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 4-0.

Mayor Wilson noted that this type of multi-agency cooperation is not the norm and he applauds everyone who worked together to achieve this goal for the residents’ benefit.

Mr. Skeel informed the Council that the San Ramon library hours will increase by one hour on Friday and one hour on Saturday.

Vice Mayor Perkins asked for details on the increased library hours. Mr. Skeel responded that the San Ramon library hours will increase from 56 to 58 hours and the DSL hours will increase from 37 to 50 hours.

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City Manager Herb Moniz had no comments.

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Vice Mayor Perkins invited residents to come to the Saturday Farmers' Market where they will have an opportunity to talk informally with councilmembers from 10:00 am to noon. He encouraged residents to support the Market. Parking is not a problem.

Cm. Hudson provided an update on transportation issues. Transportation Division Manager Lisa Bobadilla provided information to the Council on transportation agencies and issues. Information was provided for the following agencies: the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), Southwest Area Transportation Committee (SWAT), Tri-Valley Transportation Council (TVTC), Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), County Connection, and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Ms. Bobadilla also reviewed the history and impact of various transportation funding mechanisms including: Capital Projects and programs funded by Measure C, programs and projects funded by Measure J, the State Bond Proposition 1B, the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), Regional Measure 2 (RM2), and Focusing our Vision - Priority Development Area (PDA). Receipt of the PDA designation will identify the City as a priority area with the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and MTC and may result in funding for Transportation for Livable Communities projects.

Cm. Hudson stressed the importance of understanding how the four subregional committees view their priorities. The majority of Measure C funds are allocated to projects. The majority of Measure J funds will be allocated to programs.

Mayor Wilson encouraged Cm. Hudson and Ms. Bobadilla to share this information with the Planning Commission and the Economic Development Advisory Committee.

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Mayor Wilson invited residents to attend the Summer Concert series which starts July 15, 2007. He reminded residents to attend the Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings. He asked residents to peel the stickers from fruits and vegetables and put them on the contest card for the Mayoral Produce Sticker Challenge. He reminded residents attending the July 4^th fireworks celebration to bring flashlights. Pets are not allowed. He encouraged residents to attend the San Ramon Police Department Dedication on June 30, 2007 at Iron Horse Middle School and welcome the Police Department officers into the San Ramon family.

There being no further business, Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m.

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

Approved at the July 10, 2007 City Council meeting, 4-0; Rowley abstain.