MINUTES Closed Session/Regular Meeting Lompoc City Council Tuesday, February 18, 2003 COUNCIL CHAMBERS/100 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA 5:00 P.M.

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1 MINUTES Closed Session/Regular Meeting Lompoc City Council Tuesday, February 18, 2003 COUNCIL CHAMBERS/100 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA 5:00 P.M. CLOSED SESSION 5:00 P.M. Administrative Conference Room Councilmembers Present: DeWayne Holmdahl, Janice Keller, Will Schuyler, Michael Siminski, and Mayor Dick DeWees. Oral Communications: Jaime Tinoco spoke to the City Council. NEW BUSINESS In accordance with Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) through (4), the Council considered whether to undertake review of the Advisory Arbitration Decision and Award of Michael McDermott in the matter of the grievance(s) of Caronda Jones in accordance with Article 10-3e.(5) of the Memorandum of Understanding between the City and Teamsters Union Local 381. During the Regular City Council Meeting, Mayor DeWees announced that the Council on a 4-1 vote (Mayor DeWees voted NO) declined to review the Advisory Arbitration Decision and Award. MINUTES Regular Meeting/Lompoc City Council Tuesday, February 18, 2003 COUNCIL CHAMBERS/100 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA 7:00 P.M. Councilmembers Present: DeWayne Holmdahl, Janice Keller, Will Schuyler, Michael Siminski, and Mayor Dick DeWees. Staff Participants: City Administrator Gary Keefe, City Attorney Sharon Stuart, City Clerk Jane Green, Community Development Director Arleen Pelster, Parks and Recreation Director Vince Elizondo, Parks and Urban Forestry Manager Cindy McCall, Associate Planner Peggy Woods, and Recreation Superintendent Dan McCaffrey. Other Participants: Donna Martinez, Alan Morey, Bob Holloway, Ron Fairbanks, Leonard Todd, and Ralph Harman. Pamela Gordon gave the invocation and Mayor DeWees led the pledge of allegiance. PRESENTATIONS: Mayor DeWees announced that Consent Calendar Item 7 (Conservation Easement for Willow Mitigation) will be considered at a future date. A. Update on United Way Campaign Funds and Future Plans. United Way of Central Coast Executive Officer Cheryl Waller reported on the funds distributed to 15 Lompoc Valley agencies during and stated the current campaign is underway. Jan Meyer, Past President, Lompoc Valley United Way, stated she is the only Lompoc resident on the Board and encouraged others to participate either on the Board or with the selection committee. PRESENTATIONS (Cont d) Page 1 of 8

2 B. Mayor DeWees presented a Proclamation for National Engineer s Week, February 16-22, 2003, to City Engineer Kevin McCune. STAFF REQUESTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Gary Keefe recognized the contributions of Financial Services Manager Dan Johnston who will retire from the City on February 19, He emphasized the valuable input he provided over the years working with Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) matters and helping the City to make appropriate decisions. COUNCIL REQUESTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Briefing by Councilmember Siminski on Northern California Power Agency Strategic Planning Session held January 21-23, (Requested by Councilmember Keller). Councilmember Siminski provided a brief overview of decisions made during previous Strategic Planning Sessions and noted the focus for 2003 relates to green power and additional electrical generation sources. Lompoc may be exploring new generation sources either on its own or jointly with other NCPA agencies. He stated lobbying efforts will be continued to insure that the cities maintain local control over their electrical businesses. Councilmember Holmdahl summarized the wine competition that had representation from a local winery. In response to Councilmember Keller s inquiry, it was noted that the Mayor and Councilmembers Holmdahl and Siminski attended the event with the City s Utility Director, Utility Accountant, and Electric Utility Manager. 1. Council Request to Explore Feasibility of Establishing a Memorial for the Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts at Ken Adam Park. (This request was submitted by Will Schuyler and requested by Councilmember DeWayne Holmdahl on February 4, 2003). Parks and Urban Forestry Manager Cindy McCall outlined the current poor conditions of the Flag Monument plaques and adjacent Leyland Cypress trees. She said the Cypress trees should be replaced. She proposed placing the memorials on a bluff overlooking the Flag Monument in Ken Adam Park to improve public access and minimize maintenance needs by planting Monterey Cypress trees. The Park Ranger would provide the ongoing maintenance on a voluntary basis. Ms. McCall provided background details of the existing Challenger Memorial dedicated on July 29, The estimated cost for the new trees and appropriate bronze plaques is less than $3,000. Councilmember Schuyler said the proposal should be supported by the community and not become a budgeted item. He requested that the site have a view of the Vandenberg AFB Slick 6 or Slick 4. Public Comment: None. Lengthy discussion continued on the proposed trees, need to insure accessibility to the site, and the concept of a City project with the trees and plaques to be funded by the community. Ms. McCall will provide a status report in 30 days on the fundraising balance, which was estimated to currently be $1,800. ACTION: Motion/Second: Schuyler/Holmdahl. The City Council unanimously approved establishment of a memorial for the Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts at Ken Adam Park as a Community/City project and for the City to provide the ongoing minimal maintenance after the memorial is established. COUNCIL REQUESTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS (Cont d) Page 2 of 8

3 Councilmember Keller announced the Chocoholics Festival will be March 1 at the Lompoc Grange Hall. Councilmember Holmdahl advised that the City Managers from Santa Maria and Solvang and City Administrator Gary Keefe will speak on the effect of the State budget on cities during the Improve North County meeting of February 19, Councilmember Siminski announced the Relay for Life, which the City will have a team, and the next POPS Orchestra Concerts will be February 23 and 24 at the Trinity Nazarene Church. Mayor DeWees announced that another Community Economic Development Strategy meeting will be held in the Lompoc Council Chambers on February 20 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. An Arts Expo recognizing Black History month will be held February 22 at the Lompoc Valley Community Center. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Donna Martinez urged the City to allow the Police K-9 Officer Bandit to retire due to his disability and permit him to continue to live with his current trainer who is leaving the Lompoc Police Department. She indicated several people have indicated they would contribute toward the next new K-9. CONSENT CALENDAR: ACTION: Motion/Second: Siminski/Holmdahl. Items listed under Consent Calendar were approved on a unanimous vote except as noted below. 2. Approved Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of February 4, 2003 and Adjourned Regular Meeting of January 31, 2003/February 1, 2003 (Budget Workshop). 3. Approved expenditures for: Payroll of 1/31/03 - $769, Voucher Register of 2/7/03 - $484, Voucher Register of 1/31/03 - $490, Voucher Register of 1/17/03 - $592, Manual Checks of 12/1/02 to 12/31/02 - $ Approved a twenty year Land Lease Agreement at Lompoc Airport with Sky Dive Santa Barbara that allows for construction of a hangar at the Lompoc Airport and authorized the Mayor to sign the Agreement. 5. Accepted Project No. FY-01-W-3 Laurel Avenue Waterline Replacement Project as complete and instructed the City Clerk to file the required Notice of Completion regarding this project. 6. Adopted Resolution No. 5063(03), amending the Classification and Compensation Plans to include the new or revised non-represented classifications of Deputy City Clerk, Utilities Conservation Coordinator, Redevelopment Program Coordinator, and Urban Forestry Supervisor. 7. Conservation Easement for Willow Mitigation. (This item was pulled for consideration at a future City Council meeting.) 8. Request to Amend City Council Policy to Permit City Clerk to Prepare Action Minutes instead of Summary Minutes. (Councilmember Keller requested this item be considered at the end of the meeting). CONSENT CALENDAR (Cont d) Page 3 of 8

4 9. Approved a permanent full-time Assistant Planner position at the cost of $13,089 for the period of March 22, 2003 through June 30, 2003, to be funded with salary savings that are available in the Planning Division budget. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 10. Annexation Inquiry for a 10-Acre Property located South of the Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery Associate Planner Peggy Woods reported that at the direction of the City Council, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on January 13, 2003, to consider an inquiry from the property owners of an annexation, General Plan amendment, and prezoning of 10 acres of property located south of the City limits at the base of the southerly foothills, south of the Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery. The Planning Commission recommended that the City Council consider the annexation inquiry and give direction to staff and the property owner. Public Testimony: 1. Alan Morey presented a petition opposing the Decker Annexation that was signed by 50 residents. He cited concerns about traffic, fire hazards, and said if the project did proceed, he urged that a westerly access road from the site be required. 2. Bob Holloway expressed concerns about water drainage problems, egress to the property, excessive traffic, soil slippage due to chalk rock conditions, and limitation of future cemetery expansion if the project were developed. 3. Ron Fairbanks, Lompoc Cemetery District Board Member, stated the Board was not against the project, however, did not support the annexation due to the financial expense of the District to annex to the City including connecting the sewer system and mapping fees. 4. A letter opposing the annexation was received from resident Shirley Young. Councilmember Holmdahl commented on the current limitations of the property due to the County s agriculture land designation and said many of the public s concerns would have to be addressed and mitigated in the development plan. He inquired if the existing Cemetery septic tank could be permitted rather than requiring them to connect to the City s sewer. In response to Councilmember Schuyler s question, Public Works Director Larry Bean advised that as a general rule a single-family household generates 10 trips per day. Councilmember Keller stated she favored the concept of custom built homes, however, there were unanswered questions regarding traffic, fire hazards on the hillside and associated response times. She also inquired about the additional cost to the City of ongoing maintenance for the roads, sewers, etc. that would be added if the project is built. Staff advised the City currently provides water and electricity and sewer service to the caretaker s home. The major cost for connecting to the sewer will be the installation of the pipe. LAFCO fees would be charged based on the Decker property, however, the cemetery will be included in the environmental review. The cemetery would incur fees related to the final maps. Councilmember Siminski supported having urban development under the City s jurisdiction and noted that the project details will have to be addressed thoroughly; therefore, many of the requirements may be very strict. As a LAFCO representative, Mayor DeWees said that in the last four years LAFCO has not approved any annexations that were surrounded on four sides by County and expressed serious PUBLIC HEARINGS (Cont d) Item 10 Page 4 of 8

5 doubt that LAFCO would approve the project if the Cemetery District did not annex. Discussion followed regarding costs to the cemetery district and Community Development Director Arleen Pelster advised that even if the General Plan were updated to include this property within the Urban Limit Line, the property owners would still bear the cost of annexation. ACTION: Motion/Second: Keller/Holmdahl. The City Council on a 4-1 vote (Mayor DeWees voted NO) directed Staff to work with the property owners and discuss with them the manyreservations and issues raised during the meeting. RECESS: At 8:35 P.M., Mayor DeWees announced a Recess. The meeting reconvened at 8:45 P.M. with all Councilmembers present. 11. Introducing Ordinance No. 1479(03), Amending the Density Factors for Calculation of Park Improvement Fees and Land Dedication (Lompoc City Code Chapter 24, Article 10) Parks and Recreation Director Vince Elizondo reviewed the Staff report covering the authority of the City Council to amend the density factors for calculation of park improvement fees and land dedication as provided by the Quimby Act. Staff recommended revision of the fees to update density factors based on the 2000 census and due to residential land values that have increased since the Council established fees on February 18, A resolution to increase the impact fees cannot be approved by the City Council until Ordinance 1479(03) is adopted. The fees are expected to nearly double the old fees. Public Testimony: None ACTION: Motion/Second: Keller/Siminski. The City Council on a unanimous vote approved Staff s recommendation that included approval of the Findings Set Forth in the Staff Report Relating to the Categorical Exemption under CEQA; waived further reading of the Ordinance; and Introduced Ordinance No. 1479(03) Amending the Density Factors for Calculation of Park Improvement Fees and Land Dedication (Lompoc City Code Chapter 24, Article 10). Staff advised that the current practice is to collect the Quimby Act Fees at the time building permits are issued. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 12. Development of a Tree Removal and Replacement Policy Parks & Urban Forestry Manager Cindy McCall advised that on July 16, 2002, Staff was directed to prepare a comprehensive plan for future needs and resources for removal and replacement of trees. A Street Tree Master Plan was adopted by the City Council on March 15, 1988, which includes maintenance standards, tree inventory, trim cycles, etc. Staff proposed a policy for systematic removal and replacement of trees based on health and safety concerns. Ms. McCall highlighted some of the provisions of the policies that were developed to address Council s previous concerns and noted the species diversity should not exceed 5% of any one species. Council briefly discussed the insurance and other conditions that would be required of a permittee to remove a City tree. Public Comment: Leonard Todd, Beautification and Appearance Commissioner, presented a letter of support from the Commission for the Street Tree Replacement and Removal Policies. Lengthy discussion followed regarding various components of the policies. Ms. McCall advised that once a tree is removed the normal replacement during planting season would occur within two weeks UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Cont d) Item 12 Cont d Page 5 of 8

6 of the request. The policy sets forth procedures that require the submittal of a written request to remove or replace trees. Councilmember Keller suggested language to address timing of tree plantings and criteria to allow a property owner to remove a tree when the City cannot remove it in a timely fashion. ACTION: Motion/Second: Keller/Holmdahl. On a unanimous vote City Council approved Resolution No. 5064(03) Adopting Tree Replacement and Removal Policies with minor changes to the policies to reflect that replacements will be done in a timely fashion and added a provision that requester s may remove a tree at their expense when the City is unable to remove the tree in a timely fashion. Ms. McCall commented on new innovative methods to be implemented including rubberized sidewalk materials to remedy problems associated with sidewalk repairs. 13. Costs Related to Implementation of Acoustical Improvements to Parks and Recreation Facilities. Recreation Superintendent Dan McCaffrey reported that, at the Council s request, an acoustical assessment of the Lompoc Valley Community Center (LVCC) dining room was completed. In addition, Staff requested an assessment of the Anderson Recreation Center Gym and Civic Auditorium for informational purposes. The estimate prepared by Bill Dohn, of Dohn and Associates, to complete the recommended improvements were $18,100 for the dining room, $133,500 for the Gym and $101,500 for the Auditorium. Parks & Recreation Director Vince Elizondo advised that there was approximately $35,000 left in the LVCC s unappropriated reserves for small improvements. He said that the soundproofing may have been in the original plans but later cut as a cost savings measure. Councilmember Holmdahl spoke in favor of the LVCC improvement that should help to increase rentals at the facility and urged that the improvements be completed before the Flower Festival luncheon in June. Council agreed with the LVCC improvements. However, the Gym and Auditorium improvements should be placed on hold until the budget hearings and Councilmember Keller suggested they could be included in the department s Capital Improvement Plan. Public Comment: None ACTION: Motion/Second: Keller/DeWees. The City Council on a unanimous vote directed Staff to implement all, or a part of, the recommendations for the dining room submitted by Dohn and Associates, and allocate funds from the Lompoc Valley Community Center unappropriated reserves to make the necessary improvements to the main dining room at the Lompoc Valley Community Center; 14. Proposal to Establish a Citizens Oversight Committee for the Park Maintenance and City Pool Assessment District No Parks and Recreation Director Vince Elizondo reported that when the Assessment District was proposed to the citizens, it was stated that the City would establish a Citizens Oversight Committee to monitor the expenditure of funds and all other related activities associated with the assessment district. Each year, the Council will be required to approve a new resolution authorizing the expenditure of funds for the next budget year. The proposed Committee would meet as necessary to gather enough information to make an annual report on their findings and/or recommendations regarding the assessment district. Mr. Elizondo offered three options to form the Committee. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (Cont d) Item 14 (Cont d) Page 6 of 8

7 Councilmember Keller inquired about how committees operate in other communities, including their functions and operating procedures. Mr. Elizondo replied that while there are no statutory requirements for this type of committee, most communities pick appointees that meet one or two times a year, and their fiscal oversight varies on the complexity of the projects. Public Comment: Ralph Harman urged the Council to create the oversight committee that he said should be separate from an existing committee and not part of the Parks & Recreation Commission. Councilmember Holmdahl recommended that members should have financial expertise and other criteria should be established. City Administrator Gary Keefe stated that the purpose of the Committee is to insure monies are spent in accordance with the City Council direction as determined during the budget process. Councilmember Keller recommended that the matter be referred back to staff for additional information such as what methods are used in other communities for appointment, criteria for expertise or background, rules and procedures for governing the committee. Mayor DeWees suggested that once guidelines for the Committee are developed they should be included in the Handbook for Boards, Committees, and Commissions. City Attorney Sharon Stuart advised that the Investment Policy Oversight Committee may have some of the prerequisites that the Council is seeking. ACTION: Motion/Second: Keller/Holmdahl. On a unanimous vote, Council directed Staff to return at the next meeting with additional information as discussed to form the Committee. NEW BUSINESS 15. Proposal to Discontinue the Cable TV Committee Cable Franchise Manager Jane Green summarized the Staff report noting that other communities were surveyed regarding existing Cable TV Committees and very few were found that function in this manner. Staff recommended the Committee be discontinued because the Cable Franchise renewal process had been completed; cities have limited authority over rates and programming; customer complaints should continue to be addressed by Staff rather than waiting for quarterly meetings; and considerable Staff time now must be spent on PEG and monitoring the new franchise and ordinance. Ms. Green provided a short overview of the comments received from Committee members about the proposal. There was brief discussion about the Committee s role in hearing cable complaints and that Ms. Green will continue to receive such complaints. Public Comment: None. ACTION: Motion/Second: Holmdahl/Siminski. The City Council on a 4-1 vote (Councilmember Schuyler voted NO) adopted Resolution No. 5062(03) Discontinuing the Cable TV Committee and acknowledged and thanked the Cable TV Committee Members for their assistance in obtaining public input used to develop the new Cable Franchise Agreement and for assisting citizens with cable related matters. Councilmember Holmdahl asked the Staff to advise the Council in the future if an ad hoc task force is needed when cable matters arise that require broader attention. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS: None. Page 7 of 8

8 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. COUNCIL REQUESTS AND COMMENTS: Consent Calendar Item 8 Request to Amend City Council Policy to Permit Action Minutes Councilmember Keller spoke against the proposal to use Action Minutes rather than Summary minutes. She emphasized the need to have documentation of the discussion as part of the public record. Mayor DeWees said he favored the Action Minutes that are used in a number of other cities that will allow the City Clerk to focus on other areas. Councilmember Siminski stated that during the Budget Workshop, Council heard from the City Clerk that greater emphasis should be placed on Business Taxes to increase revenues and this policy would save Staff time. Councilmember Holmdahl suggested that Action Minutes be delayed until audio streaming of the meetings is available on the City s website. Councilmember Keller reiterated her concerns and said that if the policy is approved, it should become effective with the next City Council meeting rather than February 18. ACTION: Motion/Second: Keller/Holmdahl. The motion to let the existing Summary Minutes policy stand failed on a 2-3 vote (Mayor DeWees and Councilmembers Schuyler and Siminski voted NO). Councilmember Schuyler said he had few requests for minutes and that Staff reports and tapes provide additional details. Councilmember Keller suggested that perhaps a compromise could be made to make the Summary minutes briefer. ACTION: Motion/Second: Siminski/Mayor. The City Council approved on a 3-2 vote (Councilmembers Keller and Holmdahl voted NO) to amend the City Council policies outlined in the Lompoc City Council Handbook as it relates to minutes of City Council meetings to permit the City Clerk or his/her designee to prepare Action Minutes rather than Summary Minutes effective with the March 4 meeting and that appropriate amendments to the Council Handbook be included in the next review of the Handbook. ADJOURNMENT: At 10:11 P.M. Mayor DeWees adjourned the meeting to Tuesday, February 25, 2003 at 7:00 P.M. for a Joint Meeting with the Planning Commission ATTEST: Dick DeWees, Mayor City of Lompoc Jane C. Green City Clerk Dated: February 21, 2003 Page 8 of 8