MINUTES OF THE
CITY OF SAN RAMON – COUNCIL MEETING

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of San Ramon was held August 28, 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.

STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Herb Moniz, City Attorney Byron Athan, Police Chief Scott Holder, Finance Director Greg Rogers, Community Services Division Manager John Skeel, Transportation Specialist PJ Dhoot, and City Clerk Patricia Edwards.

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Gabrielle Calosso, Aliena Cox and Daniela Hernandez of Girl Scout Troop 1569 in San Ramon led the staff and the audience in the pledge of allegiance. Mayor Wilson recognized the Troop leaders and thanked them for volunteering.

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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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Mayor Wilson presented the proclamation to William Small, Project Coordinator, and Gary Decker, current Association President. Mr. Small stated that the project involved 25 volunteers who worked 850 hours to made 1,400 pickets for the 650 foot fence. Mr. Small stated that the Woodturners Association, which meets at the Senior Center, appreciates their relationship with the City and the opportunity to be of service.

Mayor Wilson presented the proclamation to Ken Jones of the Mt. Diablo Rose Society. Mr. Jones remarked that it was a pleasure to work on the rose garden. He recognized Gregg Lowery for his contribution to the design and plants for the project.

Finance Director Greg Rogers introduced Chio Phanh whose degree in Information Systems Security will be very useful for the City. Mayor Wilson welcomed Mr. Phanh to the City staff and presented him with a City pin. Mr. Phanh thanked the Council for the opportunity to work for San Ramon and looks forward to a long career.

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John Skeel, Community Programs Division Manager, presented the report. A high school member of the Teen Council is eligible for appointment as the Student Commissioner on the Parks and Community Services Commission. Applications were received from Matthew Lucas, Matt Pacheco, and Stephanie Pilecki by the August 28, 2007 deadline. Matt Pacheco withdrew his application. The City Council reviewed the applications and interviewed the remaining two candidates on August 28, 2007.

Mayor Wilson thanked the applicants and directed the Council to vote. The City Clerk provided the ballots and tallied the votes. Mayor Wilson announced that Matthew Lucas was selected. Vice Mayor Perkins' motion to appoint Matthew Lucas as Chair of the Teen Council and as Student Commissioner to the Parks and Community Services Commission was seconded by Cm. Rowley and passed 5-0.

Matthew Lucas thanked everyone on the Teen Council. He recognized Jeff Tomasich and Drew Williams, previous Student Commissioners, as his mentors. He hopes to have a great year for the Teen Council and provide great programs for teens in San Ramon.

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

Bill Clarkson, San Ramon Valley Unified School District Board member, reviewed the new school openings and ongoing construction in San Ramon. He acknowledged the great partnership between the School District and the City, City staff, and the Police Department. He recognized the City Council for its leadership.

Maryann Cella, a Diablo resident, requested that the Council support an extension of the San Ramon Valley Regional Planning Commission which is due to sunset in October 2007. She stated that it is important to retain this Commission in order to give citizens more local voice in regional issues. The County Board of Supervisors will review this item at their September meeting.

Smitty Schmidt, an Alamo Resident, also supports the extension of the San Ramon Valley Regional Planning Commission. He stated that there is not much opportunity for San Ramon Valley representation and the cost to retain this Commission is minimal. He urged the Council to formally support extending the Commission.

William Del Gesso registered a complaint about the new Safeway in Dougherty Valley. They have operated a diesel trailer and because the trucking and dumpster area faces Wedgewood Drive, the noise to the community is excessive. He expressed concerns about public safety and the environmental effects of the diesel fumes. His requests to Safeway to turn off their generators between 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. have been ignored. He requested the Council’s support in getting Safeway to be responsible to the neighbors. Cm. Hudson stated that he believes that noise restrictions may be part of the conditions of approval for the site.

Roz Rogoff questioned what will happen to the existing City buildings such as City Hall, the Library and The Transit Center when the City Center project is approved.

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Vice Mayor Perkins’ motion to approve the August 14, 2007 minutes was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 4-0. Cm. Rowley was absent.

Vice Mayor Perkins’ motion to approve the August 20, 2007 minutes was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 5-0.

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Cm. Livingstone requested that item 8.8 be pulled for staff comment.

Mayor Wilson requested that item 8.9 be pulled for public comment.

(#8.1) Minute Order No. 2007-15 – Authorizing the Mayor to Approve the Purchase with Dublin GMC to Supply Five Replacement Vehicles to the Public Services Department in an Amount Not to Exceed $136,000.

(#8.2) Resolution No. 2007-147 – Accepting the Bridge Improvements for the Alamo Creek (Main Branch) Bridge at Bollinger Canyon Road Within RA 1106 for Maintenance (Windemere BLC, Land Development Company, LLC).

(#8.3) Resolution No. 2007-148 – Geologic Hazard Abatement District No. 1990-01 Accepting Ownership of a Certain Open Space Parcel (Parcel D) in Subdivision 8132 (Shapell Industries/Gale Ranch).

(#8.4) Resolution No. 2007-149 – Attesting to the City of San Ramon’s Commitment to the Preservation of its Historic and Heritage Assets and Approving Application to Become a Designated Preserve America Community.

(#8.5) Resolution No. 2007-150 – Authorizing the Expenditure of $177,300 to the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District for Fuel for Police Services Vehicles.

(#8.6) Resolution No. 2007-151 – Authorizing the Expenditure of $90,000 to Contra Costa County for the Criminal Justice Administration (Booking) Fees.

(#8.7) Resolution No. 2007-152 – Authorizing the Expenditure of $68,250 to the State of California Department of Justice for Live Scan Fingerprinting Fees.

Vice Mayor Perkins’ motion to adopt consent calendar items 8.1 through 8.7 was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 5-0.

(#8.8) Resolution No. 2007-153 – Authorizing the Expenditure of $99,205 to the San Ramon Valley Unified School District for Crossing Guard Services for FY 2007/08.

Police Chief Scott Holder provided the report. He stated that San Ramon’s position is to utilize current part-time school employees to perform crossing guard services.

Cm. Livingstone asked how this cost compared with last year’s. Chief Holder responded that he did not have an exact figure but that this figure included salary increases and no new staff. Cm. Livingstone commented that there was no significant difference.

(#8.9) Resolution No. 2007-154 – Authorizing the Expenditure of $223,176 to Contra Costa County for Animal Control Services for FY 2007/08.

Police Chief Scott Holder provided the report. He stated that the City has a full service contract with Contra Costa County for Animal Control Services (ACS). He noted that the City of Antioch does its own animal control services at a cost of approximately $900,000 per year which includes operating their own facility. He added that the relationship with ACS has improved. They have met the City’s animal control needs. Developing an agreement with Alameda County would be difficult because it crosses county lines.

There were no Council comments.

Roz Rogoff noted that the Martinez Animal Shelter is closed on Sunday and Monday but that the Dublin facility is open seven days a week. She added that County’s ACS does not generally pick up stray cats. She requested that the Council explore the possibility of a County satellite facility located in either San Ramon or Danville. She added that the time may have come for San Ramon to provide this service.

Mayor Wilson commented that the City will make an evaluation and determine if the City can provide a better solution.

Councilmember Hudson’s motion to adopt consent calendar items 8.8 and 8.9 was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 5-0.

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The City Clerk reported there was no unfinished business.

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The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Annual Report staff report was given by PJ Dhoot, Transportation Specialist. She reviewed the program, its goals and objectives, and the recommendations for each school. Ten elementary schools were served in 2006-07.

Cm. Rowley complimented Ms. Dhoot on her report.

Vice Mayor Perkins expressed his appreciation for the SRTS program. He asked if the SRTS program will be expanded to include middle schools specifically Pine Valley Middle School. Ms. Dhoot responded that an analysis of traffic at Pine Valley school will be included under the Transportation Planning umbrella as the SRTS program is limited to elementary schools.

Vice Mayor Perkins questioned if the 15 mph school zone would be implemented only at Coyote Creek. Ms. Dhoot replied that this is a pilot program to make drivers aware of the need for reduced speed in school zones. She added that flashing speed limit signs are more effective and more expensive than standard signage. She will check the budget to determine if this type of signage can be implemented. She added that there are flashing beacons at Crow Canyon Road near Golden View Elementary School to alert drivers.

Vice Mayor Perkins asked if double fines are legal for speeders in school zones. Ms. Dhoot stated that she is asking for Council approval to research this program.

Mayor Wilson asked if the Report will be presented to the School District. Ms. Dhoot responded that after receiving the School Board’s approval, she will meet with the schools to discuss implementation of the recommendations.

Mayor Wilson expressed concern about installing new signage and flashing lights which may diminish neighborhood quality. He stated that safety is the Council’s first concern. Ms. Dhoot stated that, prior to installing new signage or improvements, residents are notified so that they can provide input.

Vice Mayor Perkin’s motion to adopt Resolution No. 2007-145 was seconded by Cm. Hudson and passed 5-0.

Byron D. Athan, City Attorney, provided the report. With the assumption of the police function on July 1, 2007 by the City of San Ramon Police Services Department, it is necessary to change the Municipal Code to reflect the assumption by San Ramon Police Services of law enforcement functions formerly performed for the City by the County Sheriff’s office under contract.

Cm. Hudson’s motion to introduce the Ordinance and waive the reading was seconded by Cm. Rowley and passed 5-0.

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

Cm. Hudson’s motion to schedule the Ordinance for adoption on the September 11, 2007 Council meeting was seconded by Cm. Rowley and passed 5-0.

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City Manager Herb Moniz had no comments.

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Councilmember Hudson reported on a recent Tri-Valley rail meeting which discussed the high speed train from Los Angeles to San Francisco and several BART extensions.

The August 17, 2007 East Bay Division News provided an update of SB 375 which requires that the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) develop a preferred growth scenario within the regional transportation plan. The goal would be to channel new growth and investment in a manner that would reduce carbon emissions. The MPO would have to designate significant resource areas as defined by SB 375. In essence, a regional authority would be making local land use designations.

He reiterated that San Ramon is committed to the Eastside Specific Plan. He noted that LAFCO will determine the lead agency for the Plan. He suggested that the Council discuss the San Ramon Regional Planning Commission issue before taking a position.

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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 invited citizens to take advantage of the Saturday Farmers’ Market at Forest Home Farms. He encouraged residents to attend the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for September 4, 2007. This meeting will include a public hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the City Center. The San Ramon Valley Emergency Preparedness Fair will be held on September 15, 2007 at 655 Old Orchard Road, Danville. He invited residents to attend the California Symphony free concert at Central Park on September 16, 2007.

At 8:17 p.m., the Council met in closed session pursuant to Government Code §54957 to evaluate the position of City Manager.

At 8:37 p.m. the City Council reconvened. Mayor Wilson reported that a motion was made by Vice Mayor Perkins and seconded by Cm. Rowley that the Mayor be authorized to negotiate and execute a contract with the City Manager under such terms and conditions as discussed in closed session. The motion carried unanimously.

At 8:38 p.m., there being no further business, Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting.

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

Approved at the September 11, 2007 City Council meeting, 5-0.