MINUTES OF THE
CITY OF SAN RAMON – COUNCIL MEETING

A special meeting of the City Council of the City of San Ramon was held January 15, 2008 at 7:05 p.m. in the in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 2222 Camino Ramon, Mayor Wilson presiding.

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

ABSENT: Councilmember Hudson

STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Herb Moniz, City Attorney Byron Athan, Police Chief Scott Holder, and City Clerk Patricia Edwards.

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Mayor Wilson 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 additions or corrections to the Boards, Committee and Commission meetings schedule. The City Clerk noted that there were no changes or additions to the meetings listed on the January 15, 2008 agenda.

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

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(#8.1) Development Agreement Amendment (DA 07-850-001) – Third Amendment to That Portion of the Chevron Park Annexation and Development Agreement By and Between Sunset Building Company, LLC and the City of San Ramon Assigned To and Assumed by Sunset Building Company, LLC Relative to the City Center Project.

(#8.2) Development Agreement Amendment DA 07-850-002 – Fifth Amendment to the Annexation and Development Agreement By and Between the City of San Ramon and Sunset Development Company, Granada Sales, Inc., SDC 7, Annabel Investment Company, Sunset Land Company, LLC, Sunset Building Company, LLC and Alexander Properties Company Relative to the Development Known as Bishop Ranch.

City Manager Herb Moniz provided the staff report. On January 10, 2008, the following people met to discuss the City Center project: Alex Mehran and Peter Oswald of Sunset Development, Jim Gibbon, Jim Blickenstaff, John Nunes, Paul Desmarais, Mayor Wilson, Planning Director Phil Wong, and Mr. Moniz. The discussion centered on the issues in relation to the Project to alleviate seeking legal action. The issues included: relocating the Civic facilities to the eastern portion of the eleven acre site to be contiguous with the Iron Horse Trail; securing a platinum LEED Certification; extending the Tolling Agreement indefinitely to facilitate a task force/steering committee to review the plan and possibly put it on the ballot; certification by the Council that the City Center mixed use zoning applies to these parcels only now and in the future; change the maximum building height to five stories and change the setbacks to reflect previous suburban office park look; the City is to supply an economic analysis to demonstrate why the five story height limit is not feasible; and locate park land on the Project site, no fees or recreational amenities would count and up to four acres were preferred.

Mr. Moniz reported that staff analyzed the issues, reviewing financial information, space allocation and other data and a subsequent meeting was held on January 14, 2008. At this meeting, the San Ramon for Open Government (SROG) presented ten items including a revised plan. The ten items mirrored the earlier discussion with two exceptions. The group was unable to define park land on the site. Some members felt that relocating the theatre, civic center, library and hotel to the eleven acre site near Central Park was sufficient. Some members wanted park land on the site. Eight story buildings might be acceptable on the site provided they were not located near the Iron Horse Trail.

Mr. Moniz advised the group that they met to discuss the issues, review the various land use allocations, the square footage allocations, the economic information of all the alternatives that were considered. After walking the site, Mr. Moniz stated that this plan is the best alternative. It meets the Economic Development Strategic Plan goals. It has been reviewed and endorsed by the Parks and Community Services Commission, the Planning Commission, and the City Council. The community is in favor of the Project. It responds to the direction provided by the Council in 2004. The City is not at risk for any of the mixed use development that can be built. The project will sustain itself, provide an ongoing revenue stream, is a bold and innovative design and will be built LEED certified to the highest possible level.

Mr. Moniz reported that the group continued to discuss the items and was unable to reach any consensus. Mr. Moniz’s recommendation to the Council is to move forward with the Plan as it is.

Mayor Wilson asked about the January 10, 2008 meeting. Mr. Moniz stated that the meeting lasted from approximately 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Councilmember Scott Perkins attended the second meeting. Mr. Moniz recommended that the Council continue the two Development Agreements to the January 22, 2008 meeting.

There were no questions from Councilmembers.

Mayor Wilson opened the public comment.

Jim Gibbon, resident, requested clarification on when the Development Agreements will be approved. Mayor Wilson stated that the Council will take action on the Development Agreements at the January 22, 2008 meeting.

Mr. Gibbon asked if LEED Certification will become part of the agreement. Mayor Wilson responded that that decision will be made on January 22, 2008.

Mr. Gibbon asked, hypothetically, if a referendum was pursued, could the Development Agreements be combined into one referendum since the City Center was approved as one project or would they need to present a separate referendum for each Development Agreement. Mayor Wilson said staff would get back to him.

Mayor Wilson closed the public comment.

With no objections from the Council, Mayor Wilson as Chair continued the items to the January 22, 2008 Council meeting.

City Attorney By Athan stated that an ordinance was introduced and a public hearing was held but an ordinance must be adopted at a regular, not a special, meeting.

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City Manager Herb Moniz had no comment.

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Vice Mayor Livingstone expressed his appreciation to City staff and San Ramon residents for the unbelievable outpouring of kindness and caring which he experienced during this difficult time after the death of his wife, Barbara.

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At 7:21 p.m., there being no further business, Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting.

Approved at the January 22, 2008 City Council meeting 4-0, Wilson absent.