MINUTES OF THE
CITY OF SAN RAMON – COUNCIL MEETING

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of San Ramon was held October 23, 2007 at 6:03 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, Parks and Community Services Director Jeff Eorio, Transportation Division Manager Lisa Bobadilla, and City Clerk Patricia Edwards.

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At 6:03 p.m., the Council met in Closed Session pursuant to Government Code: (1) §54956.9 to confer with legal counsel concerning facts and circumstances which might result in litigation which the City Council believes are not yet known to the defendant; (2) §54956.9 (c) to confer with City Attorney to decide whether to initiate litigation; and (3) §54957.6 for City Council to meet with its Labor Negotiators Jeff Eorio, Greg Rogers, and Cheryl Mitchell Wade - SEIU Local 1021.

At 7:13 p.m., Mayor Wilson reconvened the meeting. All Councilmembers were in attendance. Mayor Wilson reported that no action was taken by the City Council on Closed Session items 1 and 3. After conferring with the City Attorney, Cm. Hudson’s motion that the City Attorney be authorized to initiate judicial procedure to determine whether proposed initiatives were legal subjects for initiative proceedings was seconded by Vice Mayor Perkins and passed unanimously.

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Adam Antone, Luke Campopiano, Jethro Castillo, Cameron Jones, Eric Perez and Trent Siler, members of Cub Scout
Pack 814 from Neil Armstrong Elementary School, led the staff and the audience in the pledge of allegiance.

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 a proclamation to Debbie Roof and Susan Davis, Rainbow Program Project Coordinators, recognizing the important contribution of the Rainbow Program to the City’s students. The program is currently in nine San Ramon schools.

Mayor Wilson presented a special certificate to Grant Wyborny, Project Mental Health Consultant, acknowledging his dedication and support of the Program for the past 20 years. Mr. Wyborny stated that he is fortunate to work with exceptional principals and project coordinators and individuals who are dedicated to the Program. He recognized the support received from Contra Costa County Mental Health.

Cm. Rowley thanked everyone who works on the Program and makes it a project of the heart. Mayor Wilson thanked all of the Program staff for their dedication. Debbie Roof presented Mr. Wyborny with a Program pin and thanked him for his dedication to the Program and his work with school staff.

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Parks and Community Services Director Jeff Eorio provided the report. He stated that the City has been very fortunate that Ms. Nolte has served as the City representative to the County Library Commission for 13 years and is willing to serve another term.

Vice Mayor Perkins’ motion to appoint Pauline Nolte to serve as the San Ramon representative to the Contra Costa Library Commission for a term to expire on June 30, 2008 was seconded by Cm. Rowley and passed 5-0. Ms. Nolte thanked the Council for their support. She stated that she is proud to represent San Ramon at the County level and that it is important to learn about the County library system.

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

Jerry Warren, Vice Chair of the Steering Committee of the Museum of the San Ramon

Valley, presented the diaries of valley pioneer George McKinley to the City. Mr. McKinley was a trustee of the San Ramon Grammar School and a community leader who also donated the land for the San Ramon Train Depot. His diaries are a historical record of life for valley residents in the 19^th century and an important addition to Forest Home Farms. Mr. Warren stated that the Museum supports Forest Home Farms and its efforts to preserve the early culture of the San Ramon Valley.

Mr. KV Rajan reported that the San Ramon Medical Regional Center has not provided the landscaping which it promised to plant to mitigate the view of the hospital addition from his house. He asked the Council to address this issue. Mayor Wilson noted that the item would be forwarded to staff for action.

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Cm. Hudson’s motion to approve the September 25, 2007 minutes was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 4-0. Vice Mayor Perkins abstained.

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The City Clerk stated that there was a request for public comment on item 8.9. Mayor Wilson requested that Item 8.4 be pulled for a staff report.

(#8.2A) City of San Ramon Quarterly Investment Report (Period ending September 30, 2007).

(#8.3A) Resolution 2007-181 – Finding that the Addendum to the San Ramon General Plan 2020 Environmental Impact Report was Prepared Consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act and was Considered for Rezone RZ 07-600-001 Swenson Rezone.

(#8.3B) Ordinance No. 398 – Approving Rezone RZ 07-600-001 Amending the City Zoning Map to Rezone Property Located at 18884 Bollinger Canyon Road.

(#8.5) Resolution No. 2007-182 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank for Banking Services.

(#8.6) Resolution No. 2007-183 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement with RCM Robinson Capital Management LLC for Investment Management and Advisory Services and Extending the Term of the Agreement from October 25, 2007 through October 24, 2008 and Providing for an Additional Expenditure of $30,000 for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $75,000.

(#8.7) Resolution No. 2007-184 – Authorizing an Annual Expenditure in an Amount Not to Exceed $75,000 with Build Your Own Garment for City Logo Apparel.

(#8.8) Resolution No. 2007-185 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement with Ruggeri-Jensen-Azar & Associates for Engineering Design Services for Bollinger Canyon Road Improvements Project from Alcosta Boulevard to San Ramon Valley Boulevard (CIP 5324) in an Amount not to Exceed $197,500.

(#8.10) Resolution No. 2007-187 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with Watertight Restoration, Inc. for the San Ramon Aquatic Center Deck Repair Project Phase II (CIP No. 5440) in an Amount not to Exceed $61,068.

(#8.11) Resolution No. 2007-188 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a Full Membership Agreement with the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives and Committing the City to Participate in the Cities for Climate Protection® Campaign.

Vice Mayor Perkins’ motion to adopt consent calendar items 8.1 through 8.3, items 8.5 through 8.8 and items 8.10 and 8.11 was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 5-0.

(#8.9) Resolution No. 2007-186 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute a License Agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) for City Maintenance of Certain Landscape Improvements on the East Side of Alcosta Boulevard at PG&E’s Transmission Corridor (APN: 212-040-002).

Roz Rogoff remarked that she is pleased that City is assuming responsibility for the maintenance of a hillside owned by PG&E as part of their utility corridor. She stated that she was previously told that PG&E would do the landscaping including ground cover and shrubs. She requested additional improvements along the PG&E corridor.

Vice Mayor Perkins’ motion to adopt consent calendar item 8.9 was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 5-0.

(#8.4) Minute Order 2007-18 – Authorizing a $94,745 Expenditure from the Vehicle Replacement Fund for the Purchase of Four Replacement Patrol Vehicles.

Police Chief Scott Holder provided the report. He stated that the funding for the replacement vehicles is included in the budget. The City will append the sealed bid, vehicle contract for model year 2008 between Contra Costa County and S&C Motors.

Mayor Wilson requested that the Minute Order be amended to include the purchase of Dodge Chargers as an alternate vehicle provided that this vehicle delivery did not negatively impact Police Department needs.

Cm. Hudson’s motion to adopt consent calendar item 8.4 as amended was seconded by Vice Mayor Perkins and passed 4-1. Cm. Livingstone voted against the amended Minute Order.

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Mayor Wilson called a recess at 7:40 p.m. Vice Mayor Perkins reconvened the meeting at 7:43 pm. Mayor Wilson was not in attendance.

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The staff report was presented by Lisa Bobadilla, Transportation Division Manager. She provided an overview which included information on the Program’s background, development status, recommended routing strategy, feedback, and next steps. The Measure J Program is designed to: (1) reduce school related congestion or improve the safety of children traveling to and from school; and (2) provide congestion relief where capacity improvements are not feasible.

The response of parents who participated in the Measure J survey identified two important constraints for the Program in terms of whether or not they will let their children ride the buses. One consideration is the amount of travel time for the student and the other is the amount of time spent waiting for the bus. She added that not every student at the identified schools will have bus service. The Report has been provided to the Southwest Area Transportation Committee (SWAT), the Contra Costa County Transportation Authority (CCTA), the San Ramon Transportation Advisory Committee, and the Town of Danville and will also be provided to the School District. The identified schools in San Ramon include Pine Valley Middle, Walt Disney Elementary and Country Club Elementary schools.

Cm. Livingstone stated that the parental constraints identified in the Survey are significant. Ms. Bobadilla responded that the consultant will need to consider these factors in their final report. Cm. Livingstone noted that the California High School Traffic Study was now complete and provides a complete traffic analysis of traffic around the high school. Ms. Bobadilla noted that this information will be included in the final Measure J report.

Cm. Hudson stated that the California High School Traffic Study and the Measure J Report are attempting to relieve the two largest areas of traffic congestion in San Ramon. He noted that Measure J is about traffic congestion relief and does not provide a lot of funding.

Vice Mayor Perkins noted that, starting in Fall 2009, Measure J funding will provide approximately $1.5 m per year for 25 years. He asked if the funding is guaranteed. Ms. Bobadilla responded that the City must submit annual evaluation reports to the Transit Authority and verify the decrease in traffic congestion. She cautioned that the Program may not be funded for 25 years. Bus service must be provided where it is needed and it is possible that the identified schools may change. Vice Mayor Perkins asked if the $1.9 million is adequate to provide funding for 19 buses. He asked if the program would be expanded to other schools if a parent pay program is implemented. Ms. Bobadilla responded that these are unknown factors at this time.

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City Manager Herb Moniz reported that the Semi-Annual All Employee Meeting was held on October 16, 2007. The City Center Project was presented to employees and the presentation was well received. The meeting also provided information on open enrollment and changes in the employee health care programs.

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Cm. Rowley reported that she and Vice Mayor Perkins attended the America’s Promise Conference in Washington, D.C. on October 10-11, 2007. The Conference featured great speakers and interesting ideas. She was proud of San Ramon and the honor of participating as one of "America’s 100 Best Communities for Young People". She thanked City staff for their work in accomplishing this recognition.

Cm. Hudson reported that the Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Commission is focusing on recycling chemicals, e-waste, and batteries. He attended the American Public Transportation Association Conference in Charlotte, NC. This city is designing a city center which will include high density housing, a "walkability" focus, a convention center, shopping, entertainment and a diesel/electric hybrid bus system for transportation.

Cm. Hudson attended the CCTA meeting where the impact of eminent domain was discussed. He reported that he has been appointed to the Policy Committee for the League of California Cities. He advised the Council that they should expect new eminent domain legislation. He expressed concern that the East Bay Regional Parks District (EBRPD) is earmarking 5% for administrative costs on the proposed bond measure scheduled for November 2008. He noted that CCTA uses a factor of 1% for its administrative expenses. He also reported that, if the EBRPD has their way, 80% of the Concord Naval Weapons Station would be designated as open space.

Vice Mayor Perkins reported that the "America’s 100 Best Communities for Young People" conference was a wonderful opportunity to learn about the focus of the America’s Promise Alliance. The Alliance has identified Five Promises or developmental resources that young people need for success in life. These include: caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, effective education and the opportunities to help others.

Vice Mayor Perkins invited members of the San Ramon Valley (SRV) Leadership Class of 2008 who were in the audience to introduce themselves and state their reason for joining SRV Leadership. Members included Tina Hightower, Kathy Gailey, Bob Leete, Carron Sandifor, Erich Pfuehler, and City Clerk Patricia Edwards. Vice Mayor Perkins thanked them for their participation in SRV Leadership.

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At 8:29 p.m., there being no further business, Vice Mayor Perkins adjourned the meeting.

Approved at the November 13, 2007 City Council meeting 4-0, Hudson abstain.