A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of San Ramon was held May 13, 2008 at 6:04 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 2222 Camino Ramon, Mayor Wilson presiding.

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

STAFF PRESENT: Acting City Manager Greg Rogers, City Attorney Byron Athan, Police Chief Scott Holder, Central Services Division Manager Pat Perry, Parks and Community Services Director Jeff Eorio, Solid Waste Program Manager David Krueger, Planning Services Manager Debbie Chamberlain, Transportation Services Division Manager Lisa Bobadilla, and City Clerk Patricia Edwards.

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At 6:04 p.m. the Council met in Closed Session pursuant to Government Code §54957 to evaluate the position of: (1) City Attorney; and (2) City Manager.

At 7:05 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 either of the Closed Session items.

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Claire Costelli, Jessica Goodman, Jennifer Kurtz, Kristen McDougall, Alex Rechtschaffer, Breanna Schuster, Nadia Taticek and Katie Witzig, members of Girl Scout Troop 142, led the staff and the audience in the pledge of allegiance.

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The City Clerk noted that there were no changes or additions to the agenda. The information for the Boards, Committee and Commission meetings is correct except that the May 15, 2008 League of California Cities East Bay Division Meeting was cancelled.

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Mayor Wilson presented the proclamation to Pat York. Mrs. York thanked the Mayor and Council for this recognition. She invited the San Ramon community to attend the Senior Center Expansion Grand Opening on May 31, 2008. This event will include a resource fair. Cm. Rowley recognized Mrs. York, a former Navy nurse, on the 100^th Anniversary of the Navy Nurse Corps.

Mayor Wilson recognized Phil Reed, Vivienne Holman and Louise Hanover, recipients of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. This award was initiated by President George Bush in 2002 to encourage Americans to build a culture of service to others. Mayor Wilson stated that San Ramon’s volunteers make the City special. Mrs. Hanover invited residents to attend the San Ramon Symphonic Band’s Spring Concert on May 16, 2008. Mayor Wilson encouraged residents to attend. Mrs. Holman invited residents to participate in dances at the Senior Center on Monday afternoons.

Cm. Rowley read the proclamation. Dr. Kessler thanked the Council for the recognition. He acknowledged the remarkable cooperative partnership between the School District and the City. He thanked the Council, Police Chief Scott Holder, and Parks and Community Services Director Jeff Eorio for their commitment to helping youth in the community and for the programs which they provide. He thanked the Council for their endorsement of Measure D on the June 3, 2008 election. Mayor Wilson thanked Dr. Kessler for his contributions to education in San Ramon.

Mayor Wilson presented the proclamation to Amy Blaschka. Mrs. Blaschka thanked the Council for the recognition. She distributed a brochure which the Bureau is utilizing to promote National Tourism Week. Mayor Wilson thanked the Bureau for supporting the local community.

Karen Stepper, President of the Exchange Club, announced that the topic for this year’s essay was to describe the impact of the Constitution’s 10^th Amendment today. Ms. Stepper introduced five members of the California High School History Club: Jessica Goodman, Emma Grager, Vicki Hsieh, Cameron Lee and Amanda Swenson. Ms. Stepper recognized PG&E as this year’s corporate sponsor. She thanked the judges in the audience: Lee Halverson, Tom Hawkins, and Phil Lindner. The third place $250 scholarship was presented to Vicki Hsieh. The second place $500 scholarship was awarded to Cameron Lee. Amanda Swenson was the first place winner and received a $1,000 scholarship. Ms. Stepper thanked San Ramon for hosting the competition. Mayor Wilson thanked Ms. Stepper and PG&E for their involvement and supporting our youth.

On behalf of the City’s Employee Safety Committee, Pat Perry, Central Services Division Manager and Loss Control Safety Advisor, presented Mayor Wilson with a plaque from the Municipal Pooling Authority (MPA) recognizing the City for successfully completing the conditions of eligibility for Level 3 of the Loss Control Credit Program for May 2007 to April 2008. Ms. Perry also presented Mayor Wilson with a check for $2,000 from the MPA. She noted that only three other cities in Contra Costa County have reached Level 3 recognition. Mayor Wilson thanked the Safety Committee for their work.

Parks and Community Services Director Jeff Eorio introduced Christina Buna. He acknowledged the quality of her work and her willingness to provide assistance on special projects and to cover other employee’s responsibilities. Mayor Wilson presented Ms. Buna with a certificate and a gold star and thanked her for her efforts. Ms. Buna thanked the Council for this recognition.

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

Roz Rogoff, resident, stated that she specifically mentioned the date of "2009" in her comments on item 9.1 (Resolution No. 2008-81 – Submitting a Charter Amendment to the Voters at the General Election on November 4, 2008 Providing for the Change of the Mayor’s Term if the General Municipal Election Date is Held on the Date of the Statewide General Election) at the April 13, 2008 Council meeting. She requested that the Council correct the minutes to read "She suggested that the money saved in the 2007 election could be used in 2009" (not "future elections"). Mayor Wilson responded that the correction will be provided on the April 22, 2007 minutes.

Joe Dwonch and Sacco Loronzini, spoke as representatives of ABATE of California Local 62 (American Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education) motorcycle club. They thanked Mayor Wilson for presenting a proclamation to the club recognizing May as "Motorcycle Awareness Month". ABATE is dedicated to safe and responsible motorcycling, safety awareness, and education.

Jim Gibbon, resident, asked the Council to reconsider closure of the Recycling Center. He requested a meeting to obtain public input to find a new location for the Center. He stated that area citizens desire an alternative to landfills and want to stay within their communities to recycle. He added that the Recycling Center was an asset to San Ramon. He expressed confidence that another site could be acquired for the Center and as recycling becomes more important in the future. He suggested that the Council put as much money into a recycling center as it does for the Glass House and other projects.

Anna Koch, San Ramon librarian, announced the First Annual Contra Costa County Library’s Reading Festival which will be held on May 17-18, 2008 in the San Ramon and Dougherty Valley libraries. The Festival is the first of its kind in the country and will celebrate reading, lifelong learning and the enduring value of libraries. She reviewed the schedule for both sites and noted that 20% of the book sale proceeds will be returned to San Ramon. Additional information is available at ccclib.org.

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Vice Mayor Livingstone’s motion to approve the April 22, 2008 minutes was seconded by Cm. Hudson and passed 4-0. Cm. Perkins abstained.

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(#8.1) Resolution No. 2008-95 – Accepting Live Oak Elementary School Park for Maintenance.

(#8.2) Resolution No. 2008-96 – Accepting Certain Roadway and Storm Drain Dedications and Improvements in RA 1094 (Portion of Bollinger Canyon Road) for Maintenance (Shapell Industries and Windemere BLC, Land Development Company, LLC).

(#8.3) Resolution No. 2008-97 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute Amendment No. 3 to an Existing Agreement with McNevin Cleaning Specialists, Inc. to Renew the Agreement for One Year to Provide Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services in an Annual Amount Not to Exceed $59,462 and a Cumulative Agreement Total Not to Exceed $219,021.

(#8.4) Resolution No. 2008-98 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute Amendment No. 4 to an Existing Agreement with West Coast Arborists, Inc. to Renew the Agreement for One Year to Provide Tree Maintenance Services in an Annual Amount Not to Exceed $281,489 and a Cumulative Agreement Total Not to Exceed $944,185.

(#8.5) Resolution No. 2008-99 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute Amendment No. 2 to an Existing Agreement with Traffic Limited, Inc. to Renew the Agreement for One Year to Provide Roadway Striping and Stenciling Services in an Annual Amount Not to Exceed $322,989 and a Cumulative Agreement Total Not to Exceed $871,006.

(#8.6) Resolution 2008-100– Approving the City of San Ramon’s Application for Grant Funds for the Roberti-Z’berg Harris - Block Grant Program Under the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2000 for the Final Phase of the David Glass House Restoration Project at Forest Home Farms (CIP #5419) and Rescinding Resolution 2006-40.

Vice Mayor Livingstone’s motion to adopt consent calendar items 8.1 through 8.6 was seconded by Cm. Perkins and passed 5-0. Cm. Perkins clarified that the Glass House property is publicly owned by the City and is not privately owned.

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Solid Waste Program Manager David Krueger presented the report. Several special zones are projected to have negative fund balances by year end. These zones include Zone 7 (Bent Creek), Zone 9 (Country View), and Zone 10 (Old Ranch Estates). At the April 22, 2008 Council meeting, staff recommended an increase of $250 per year in Zone 7; an increase of $100 per year in Zone 9; and an increase of $150 per year in Zone 10. At Council’s direction, staff met with residents on May 1, 2008 to provide additional information to Bent Creek property owners. As a result of this meeting, staff changed their recommendation and set an increase of $195 for Zone 7. Staff agreed to meet annually with all special zones to discuss their budget, prioritize improvements, and evaluate cost savings measures.

Cm. Rowley thanked staff for talking with residents so that they understand the process. Vice Mayor Livingstone asked if the response from residents at this meeting was positive. Mr. Krueger responded that Zone 7 residents supported the $195 increase.

Cm. Perkins’ motion to adopt Resolution No. 2008-92 was seconded by Vice Mayor Livingstone and passed 5-0.

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Planning Services Division Manager Debbie Chamberlain provided the report. The Planning Commission recommends prezoning the 110 acres as follows: approximately 66 acres to Planned Development; approximately 20 acres to Public and Semi-Public; approximately 17 acres to Open Space and the remainder to roadway rights-of-way. This portion of Gale Ranch Phase 3 has been approved for 273 for sale single family, 165 rentable apartment units, and the Gale Ranch Middle School (scheduled to open Fall 2008). The rental housing is a mixture of affordable units designed to meet the Dougherty Valley Specific Plan (DVSP) requirement for affordable housing. The prezoning of this area is consistent with the DVSP and the 2020 General Plan.

Cm. Hudson’s motion to introduce the Ordinance approving the Prezoning 08-610-001for the property commonly known as Gale Ranch 3 was seconded by Cm. Perkins. Mayor Wilson opened the public hearing. There were no speakers. Mayor Wilson closed the public hearing. The Council voted 5-0.

Cm. Hudson’s motion that the Council make a finding that the Council has considered the Dougherty Valley Specific Plan (1996) and the 2004 Addendum to the Supplemental Environmental Impact Report for the purpose of complying with the California Environ-mental Quality Act prior to rendering a decision and set the Ordinance for adoption at the May 27, 2008 Council meeting was seconded by Cm. Perkins and passed 5-0.

Mayor Wilson opened the public hearing for the initiation of proceedings to LAFCO. There were no speakers. Mayor Wilson closed the public hearing. Cm. Hudson’s motion to adopt Resolution No. 2008-101 was seconded by Cm. Rowley and passed 5-0.

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Acting City Manager Greg Rogers informed the Council that the May 19, 2008 Budget Workshop materials were available for their review.

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Cm. Hudson reported that he and Cm. Livingstone met with Economic Development Director Marc Fontes and discussed the Draft Regional Housing Needs Allocation. He informed the Council that San Ramon’s total housing assessment was 3,500 units.

Cm. Perkins announced that the Farmers Market at Forest Home Farms has opened with more vendors than last year. He invited residents to visit the new Gift Shop/Welcome Center which is operated by the San Ramon Historic Foundation.

Cm. Rowley reminded residents that the City provides recycling information and options such as the Household Hazardous Waste collection events. Schools also provide recycling. Residents can take advantage of three special pick-ups at no cost by contacting Waste Management. She suggested that residents get larger green waste and recycling bins and a smaller blue bin to decrease their monthly charge for garbage collection. She encouraged residents to participate in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life which will be held on June 28-29, 2008 at California High School.

Mayor Wilson encouraged residents to contact the Council by email regarding their recycling needs. He added that the City will continue to look for a suitable recycling site.

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Mayor Wilson requested a traffic safety update from Transportation Division Manager Lisa Bobadilla. Ms. Bobadilla reviewed the Windemere Action Plan which included 34 items. Vice Mayor Livingstone asked for information on the speed enforcement on Albion Road, East Branch Parkway and Windemere Parkway. Police Chief Scott Holder replied that drivers are not typically exceeding the speeding. Mayor Wilson added that the police pay attention to speeders in all areas of San Ramon. He noted all schools in San Ramon have a "Safe Routes to School" program. Vice Mayor Livingstone thanked Ms. Bobadilla for an excellent report. Mayor Wilson requested a similar report for other areas in San Ramon. He encouraged residents to notify the Council of their concerns.

Mayor Wilson invited residents to attend the San Ramon Symphonic Band Spring Concert on May 16, 2008 at the Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center. He encouraged residents to attend the "Hoe Down" Barn Dance at Forest Home Farms on May 17, 2008. He reminded residents that an update on the David Glass House will be presented on May 19, 2008 at the Forest Home Farms Tractor Barn. He encouraged everyone to attend the Community Bike Rodeo scheduled for May 17, 2008 at Iron Horse Middle School.

At 8:43 p.m., there being no further business, Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting.

Approved at the May 27, 2008 City Council meeting 5-0.