MINUTES OF THE
CITY OF SAN RAMON – COUNCIL MEETING

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of San Ramon was held July 10, 2007 at 7:04 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.

ABSENT: City Manager Herb Moniz.

STAFF PRESENT: City Attorney Byron Athan, Police Chief Scott Holder, Acting City Manager Greg Rogers, Parks and Community Services Director Jeff Eorio, Finance Division Manager Eva Howard, and City Clerk Patricia Edwards.

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Daniel Tom and Kyle Tom of Boy Scout Troop 874 from Pine Valley School and Nicholas Ridgers of Cub Scout Pack 841 from Walt Disney 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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East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) Director Frank Mellon provided an overview of the EBMUD service area and water resources. He stressed the need for voluntary water conservation because the EBMUD area is currently at 67% of normal precipitation. If customers conserve water, mandatory rationing will not be considered for this year. Mr. Mellon provided examples of ways in which home owners can conserve water. He encouraged residents to take advantage of rebates for low flush toilets, front loading washing machines, etc. Rebates are available online or by calling the EBMUD Water Conservation Department. He stated that San Ramon already participates in the DERWA recycled water program. He emphasized that decreasing this year’s water usage will significantly impact the availability of water for next year. EBMUD is also working with businesses to develop and implement water conservation.

Vice Mayor Perkins questioned the problem of water leakage in water mains.

Mr. Mellon responded that EBMUD is constantly looking for and replacing pipes and the connectors from water mains to homes which need to be replaced. He acknowledged that there was a problem with plastic connectors used by EBMUD. The connectors were supposed to have a 50-75 year use life and are failing after only 15 years. EBMUD is able to locate the faulty connector and repair the problem with small roadway patches rather than tearing up significant portions of the street.

(#4.2) Recognition of the Iron Horse School Odyssey of the Mind Team: Brooks Anderson, Isabella Chilese, Natasha Halarnkar, Sahil Hundal, Ellen Perfect, Cameron Speltz, Kyle Wright and their Coaches, Bob Anderson and Frank Chilese, for Making it to the World Finals.

Mayor Wilson presented individual certificates to the team members and their coaches. The team’s record included: first place in the Regional competition; second place in the State competition; and 20^th place in a field of 53 at the World Finals. Coach Anderson explained that the Odyssey of the Mind is a problem solving competition. The team selects a problem and then work to develop the proposal, theme, skit, costumes and props for their presentation. Their winning project was an "Ice Cream Mine". The students enjoyed the challenge, working together, and making new friends.

(#4.3) Proclamation Designating July 2007 as "Parks and Recreation Month". Mayor Wilson presented the Proclamation to Dominique Yancey, Chair of the Parks and Community Services Commission. He reminded residents of the importance of San Ramon’s parks to the quality of their lives and commented that every month is ‘Parks and Recreation Activities’ month in San Ramon. Parks and Community Services Director Jeff Eorio said that he was pleased to accept the Proclamation on behalf of the Parks Department and the Parks Commission. He added that it is a privilege to have the City’s resources and the Council’s backing which enable them to provide the types of programs and activities that make San Ramon unique. Ms. Yancey thanked the Council and noted that the Parks Commission appreciates this recognition.

Finance Division Manager Eva Howard introduced Terry Castenada, an 11 year City employee. Ms. Howard recognized Ms. Castenada as a dedicated, hard working employee. Ms. Castenada assisted the Engineering Department in a time sensitive payment to a vendor that resulted in a savings to the City of $123,000.Mayor Wilson presented Ms. Castenada with a certificate and a gold star and thanked her for her efforts. Ms. Castenada thanked the Council for this recognition. Mayor Wilson noted how important it is to have dedicated employees working for the City.

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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 26, 2007 minutes was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 4-0. Cm. Rowley abstained.

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(#8.2) Minute Order 2007-13 – Authorizing the Mayor to Approve Annual Purchases with Devil Mountain Wholesale Nursery to Supply Plant Material to the Public Services Department in an Amount Not to Exceed $67,343 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.

(#8.3) Accept the Work by Spencon Construction, Inc. for Construction of the FY 2006/2007 Curb, Gutter, and Sidewalk Repair Project (CIP 5396) as Complete and Authorize the City Clerk to File a Notice of Completion with the County Recorder's Office.

(#8.4) Resolution No. 2007-121 – Accepting Certain Landscape Easement Dedications and Certain Landscape Improvements in RA 1103 (Dougherty Road) for Maintenance (Shapell Industries - Monarch at Gale Ranch).

(#8.5) Resolution No. 2007-122 – Accepting Certain Roadway and Stormdrain Dedications and Improvements in Subdivision 8688 for Maintenance (Shapell Industries - Gallery at Gale Ranch).

(#8.6) Resolution No. 2007-123 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute the First Amendment to the License Agreement with Contra Costa County for the Landscape Improvements on the Iron Horse Trail.

(#8.7) Resolution No. 2007-124 – Geologic Hazard Abatement District No. 1990-01 Accepting Ownership of Certain Open Space Parcels (Parcels X and BB) in Subdivision 7984 (Shapell Industries/Gale Ranch).

(#8.8) Resolution No. 2007-125 – Accepting An Offer of Dedication for Parcel A of Subdivision 7015 and Parcel H of Subdivision 7010 within the West Branch Development from Shapell Industries, Inc.

(#8.9) Resolution No. 2007-126 – Clarifying the Review Authority Contained in the Local Environmental Review Procedures.

(#8.10) Resolution No. 2007-127 – Authorizing the City Manager to Sign the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement for the East Bay Regional Communications System Authority.

(#8.11) Resolution No. 2007-128 – Authorizing the Mayor to Approve the Second Amendment to the Master Property Tax Exchange Agreement for Allocation of Property Tax Between the County of Contra Costa and the City of San Ramon Upon Annexations (APNs: 213-133-086, 213-133-063, and 213-120-013).

(#8.12) Resolution No. 2007-129 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with Top Grade Construction, Inc. for the Construction of Annual Pavement Management Project Phase III (CIP 5366) in an Amount Not to Exceed $675,281.

Vice Mayor Perkins' motion to adopt consent calendar items 8.1 through 8.12 was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 5-0.

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(#10.1) Resolution No. 2007-130 – Establishing a Voluntary Campaign Expenditure Limitation for the 2007 Municipal Election.

City Clerk Patricia Edwards provided the report. The City of San Ramon will hold a Municipal Election on November 6, 2007. The City’s Municipal Code allows for a voluntary campaign expenditure limit to be established by the City Council in an effort to: place realistic limits on the amounts of money that may be spent in political campaigns for city council elections; decrease the cost of campaigns; and prevent the appearance of improper influence. In previous elections, the recommended voluntary campaign expenditure limit was established by determining an expenditure amount per registered voter. The voter count is supplied by the County Elections Department and is the number of registered voters in the previous General Election. In the 2006 General Election, there were 28,531 registered voters in San Ramon. In 2005, the City Council determined that $.75 per registered voter was a reasonable amount and the recommended campaign expenditure limit for the 2005 Municipal Election was $21,544.

The Policy Committee reviewed the staff report and resolution at its June 27, 2007 meeting. The Committee determined that a rate of $1.00 per registered voter was reasonable and recommended this as the rate for the 2007 Voluntary Campaign Expenditure formula. The Committee directed staff to amend the resolution to include a provision which excluded the cost of the Candidate Statement from the Voluntary Campaign Expenditure Limit. Staff was requested to evaluate the possibility of establishing separate Voluntary Campaign Expenditure Limits for the mayor and for councilmembers in the future.

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

Cm. Hudson stated that it was not reasonable to expect a candidate to prepare 2 flyers, signs and pay for postage at a rate less that $1.00 per registered voter. He noted that the mayor’s race is becoming a separate race from the Council’s race. He asked the Council to consider establishing separate voluntary limits for the mayor and for councilmembers in the future.

Vice Mayor Perkins questioned the decrease in the number of registered voters from 28,725 in the 2004 General Election to 28,531 in the 2006 General Election. The City Clerk responded that the County Elections Department periodically purges the voter roles to eliminate people who have moved or are deceased.

Cm. Rowley agreed that the $1.00 rate for the 2007 election was reasonable. She added that the candidates in 2005 acted in good faith and agreed to the voluntary campaign limits established for that election.

Cm. Hudson's motion to adopt Resolution No. 2007-130 was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 5-0.

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Acting City Manager Greg Rogers had no comments.

Police Chief Scott Holder provided a summary on the development and initiation of the San Ramon Police Department. The City Council approved the concept in June 2006 and a transition team was assembled in November 2006. The team consisted of Captain Joe Gorton, Lieutenant Liz Gresham, Lieutenant Dan Pratt, Administrative Coordinator Mary Gentry and Office Specialist Kelly O’Friel. As a result of more than 300 interviews, 60 new staff were hired. In addition to hiring staff, the transition team implemented a records system, developed a policy and procedures manual, purchased equipment, provided training and established an evidence room. Contracts to handle dispatch services, crime scenes, extradition procedures, automated report writing system and Information Technology were completed. The office space was configured to accommodate all of the staff, a records bureau, new administrative offices and an interview room. The Department is in the process of acquiring its Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification and is currently California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) certified.

The new Police Department represents 655 years of police experience with an average experience of 11.7 years per person. The Records staff has a total of 200 years of experience. The advantages to the City for having its own police force include: ‘beat’ ownership by the officers, an increase in school coverage, a second K-9, increased staff training, officers who will work in the City for the long term, and increased services provided at the Dougherty Station substation. The Department’s core values include: service, responsiveness, integrity, safety and professionalism.

Cm. Livingstone asked about a S.W.A.T. unit. Chief Holder responded that S.W.A.T. is handled under the City’s Mutual Aid agreement. Many of the Department staff are S.W.A.T. trained. The Department will study this item, determine the benefits to establishing its own team, and provide a report to the Council. If there is a need for S.W.A.T. in San Ramon, the County would provide assistance.

Mayor Wilson asked how current S.W.A.T. trained officers can maintain their skills. Chief Holder noted that a lot of S.W.A. T. is done primarily through firearm training. He added that all of the current officers qualified at the marksman or the expert level.

Cm. Hudson stated that the Growth Management Element in Measure C requires a ratio of one police officer to every 1, 000 households (approximately 350 homes). He requested that the Police Department adhere to the Growth Management Element and maintain the ratio of one officer to every 1,000 households.

Mayor Wilson stated that the Council will work to keep the residents protected.

Cm. Rowley noted that Chief Holder provided a good report.

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Cm. Rowley reported that the current CSI Summer Program is a wonderful partnership between the Police Department and the School District. It is very popular and may need to provide a third session next year. She complimented City Manager Herb Moniz for his City Center presentation at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

Cm. Hudson noted that the Odyssey of the Mind has been operating in San Ramon for many years.

Vice Mayor Perkins wished a happy 31^st wedding anniversary to his wife.

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Mayor Wilson reminded residents to collect produce stickers and put them on the contest card for the Mayor’s Produce Sticker Challenge. He encouraged residents to attend the Ice Cream Social on July 13, 2007 at Forest Home Farms. He noted that in addition to the Farmers’ Market, there will be an Artists’ Day at Forest Home Farms on July 14, 2007. He invited citizens to attend the Summer Concert series which starts on July 15, 2007 at Central Park featuring Desperado (a Tribute to the Eagles). He requested that pets be left at home. The Animal Planet Expo will be held on July 14 and 15, 2007 at the City Center lot at Bollinger and Camino Ramon. This will be a great family experience. He reminded residents to make sure that they are registered to vote for the November election.

There being no further business, Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.

Signed:
Scott Perkins, Vice Mayor
Patricia Edwards, City Clerk

Approved at the July 24, 2007 City Council meeting, 4-0; Wilson absent.