CITY OF SANTA CLARITA City Council / Board of Library Trustees Joint Regular Meeting ~ Minutes ~ Tuesday, March 24, 2015 6:00 PM City Council Chambers INVOCATION Councilmember Weste delivered the invocation. CALL TO ORDER Mayor/President McLean called to order the regular joint meeting of the City Council/Board of Library Trustees at 6:14 p.m. ROLL CALL All Councilmembers were present. FLAG SALUTE Councilmember Weste led the flag salute. EXECUTIVE MEETING This time has been set aside for Councilmembers to review the agenda and obtain any further information that may be needed. Council will also discuss each individual item during the course of the meeting with the exception of the Consent Calendar, which may be approved in its entirety by one motion, unless there is a request to pull an item for discussion. No action will be taken on public agenda items during the Executive Meeting. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Kellar, second by Weste, to approve the agenda, pulling item 2 for public comment and items 4 and 6 for Council comment. Hearing no objections, it was so ordered. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS Mayor McLean and Council Proclaimed April 11, 2015, as Arbor Day. Abigail Srader of Cal Fire spoke on behalf of Arbor Foundation and presented the City with the Tree City USA Award.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Addressing the Council was Elaine Ballace regarding senior representation; Alan Ferdman, representing Canyon Country Advisory Committee, regarding water resources; Cliff Bigler regarding fracking; Debbie Eaton regarding building a local bicycle motocross (BMX) track; Steve Petzold, regarding various matters; Candy Greer regarding building a local BMX track; Cam Noltemeyer regarding DWI sites; David Delawder regarding Bus 797 service; Anastasia Gonchartio regarding building a local BMX track; and Dennis Conn regarding the riverbed clean-up. STAFF COMMENTS City Manager Ken Striplin made comment regarding Council's advocacy and financial support of the senior community, including affordable housing; stated that City staff will analyze the fracking information provided by Mr. Bigler; indicated a BMX track is a part of the Santa Clarita Sports Complex Master Plan; and made comments regarding Transit efficiencies. Mayor Pro Tem Kellar requested that City Manager Ken Striplin provide clarification regarding extensive community meetings to address the Manufactured Home ordinance update. Councilmember Boydston requested that staff look into rules and regulations on use of gray water. Mayor Pro Tem Kellar commented regarding the City's concerted effort to use recycled water for irrigation. Councilmember Weste commented regarding Castaic Lake Water Agency s plan for recycled water; and new technologies available for gray water. COMMITTEE REPORTS/COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS Councilmember Boydston thanked KHTS for the recent legislative trip to Sacramento; commented regarding the Golden Valley Bridge expansion; encouraged residents to participate in the Arts Master Plan survey and invited the community to attend the Arts planning meeting on April 6. Councilmember Acosta commented regarding the KHTS legislative trip; commented on meeting with a local Homeowners Association, along with Captain Johnson, regarding the transient issue; commented on his support of the installation of a BMX track; and on behalf of his family, thanked the community for their support. Councilmember Weste commented on the new Golden Valley Bridge bike path planned over the 14 freeway; and commented on attending Passover Seder dinner with Sisterhoods of Temple Beth Ami and Congregation Beth Shalom. Mayor McLean thanked KHTS for sponsoring the trip to Sacramento; indicated she met with the Chief Environmental Aide regarding state mandates and requested a moratorium on chloride Page 2
fines, and discussed the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) policy regarding DWI; commented regarding the Sheltered Hope Pet Shop opening; attended a play at Valencia High School entitled "Martin Duty Calls"; presented certificates to student volunteers during the 28th Annual Safe Rides celebration; commented on the future improvements of the Golden Valley Bridge expansion; urged residents to send in their postcards to keep the Newhall Post Office in Newhall; and requested that the meeting be adjourned in memory of Carol Kieczykowski. CONSENT CALENDAR RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Bob Kellar, Mayor Pro Tem SECONDER: TimBen Boydston, Councilmember AYES: Acosta, Boydston, Kellar, Weste, McLean ITEM 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the Joint City Council and Board of Library Trustees meeting are submitted for approval. City Council and Board of Library Trustees: Approve the minutes of the March 10, 2015, special and regular meetings. ITEM 2 SEWER SYSTEM MANAGEMENT PLAN (SSMP) - STATEWIDE GENERAL WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS FOR SANITARY SEWER SYSTEMS City Council re-approve and re-certify the Sewer System Management Plan document to remain in compliance with the terms of the California Water Resources Control Board permit. 1. Approve the proposed updated Sewer System Management Plan. 2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to make future operational changes, as needed, that do not have a financial impact to comply with Waste Discharge Requirements. Addressing the Council was Cam Noltemeyer. ITEM 3 RAILROAD AVENUE BIKE TRAIL DESIGN CONCEPT, PROJECT T2011 - AWARD CONTRACT Railroad Avenue Bike Trail Design Concept will study the proposed Class 1 bike trail along the east side of Railroad Avenue from Lyons Avenue to Oak Ridge Drive. Page 3
1. Award contract for the Railroad Avenue Bike Trail Design Concept, Project T2011, to MNS Engineers, Inc., in the amount of $144,798. 2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the contract, subject to City Attorney approval. ITEM 4 ACQUISITION OF 173.54 +/- ACRES OF REAL PROPERTY, VACANT LAND, ASSESSORS PARCEL NO. 2826-020-056 AND 062 Acquisition of this property will enhance the City's on-going efforts to preserve open space lands and improve trail connectivity throughout the Newhall Pass. 1. Approve the purchase of 173.54 +/- acres of real property, vacant land, Assessor s Parcel No. 2826-020-056 and 062, for open space preservation, at a total cost of $1,910,000, which includes the property purchase price of $1,850,000, and $20,000 for escrow, title, surveying fees and due diligence costs, $30,000 for trail improvements including fencing and signs, and $10,000 annually for property taxes. 2. Appropriate $1,870,000 from the Open Space Preservation District Fund Balance (Fund 358) to Open Space Preservation District Expenditure Account 12592-5201.004. 3. Appropriate $30,000 from Open Space Preservation District Fund Balance (Fund 358) to Open Space Preservation District Expenditure Account 12592-5161.002 for the purpose of property improvements, including signage, gates, and trail clean-up. 4. Appropriate $10,000 as an on-going annual expenditure from Open Space Preservation District Fund Balance (Fund 358) to Open Space Preservation District Expenditure Account 12592-5185.003 for the payment of annual property taxes. 5. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney approval. Mayor McLean requested, and Council concurred for staff to pursue annexation of this property into the City, if possible. Page 4
ITEM 5 NORTH OAKS PARK AND VALENCIA GLEN PARK POOL RENOVATIONS, PROJECT M0106 - APPROVE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT The North Oaks and Valencia Glen Park Pools were built in 1969 and 1970, and the facilities need several significant renovations to keep both pools operating safely and efficiently. 1. Approve the plans and specifications for North Oaks and Valencia Glen Park Pool Renovations, Project M0106. 2. Award the construction contract to A.M.G., Inc., in the amount of $184,694, plus additive alternates one and two in the amount of $7,950, and authorize a contingency in the amount of $27,704, for a total contract amount not to exceed $220,348. 3. Authorize the transfer of project savings in the amount of $17,959 in General Capital Projects Fund (Fund 601) from SCSC Aquatic Center Pool Deck Repair project, expenditure account M3023601-5161.001, to North Oaks Park Pool and Valencia Glen Park Pool Renovations, expenditure account M0106601-5161.001. 4. Authorize the transfer of project savings in the amount of $10,225 in Facilities Replacement Fund (Fund 723) from Central Park Sportsfields, Phase III project, expenditure account P4012723-5161.001 to North Oaks Park Pool and Valencia Glen Park Pool Renovations, expenditure account M0106723-5161.001. 5. Authorize the transfer of project savings in the amount of $27,164 in General Capital Projects Fund (Fund 601) from Central Park Sportsfields, Phase III project, expenditure account P4012601-5161.001 to North Oaks Park Pool and Valencia Glen Park Pool Renovations, expenditure account M0106601-5161.001. 6. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney approval. ITEM 6 AWARD CONTRACT FOR BID NO. LMD-14-15-13 FOR IRRIGATION CONTROLLER REPLACEMENT Award a contract to ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance for an amount not to exceed $339,449 for the purchase and installation of eighty (80) smart irrigation controllers to support operations in Landscape Maintenance District Zones transferred to the City of Santa Clarita from Los Angeles County in 2012. Page 5
1. Award contract to ValleyCrest Maintenance Landscape to procure and install 80 WeatherTrack Irrigation controllers for $308,590, and authorize a 10 percent contingency in the amount of $30,859, for a total amount of not to exceed $339,449. 2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to modify the award in the event that issues of impossibility of performance arise, subject to the City Attorney approval. Mayor McLean commented on the installation of smart irrigation controllers, allowing the City to save one-billion gallons of water over the last four years. Councilmember Boydston commented that turf should not get water until the drought is over. ITEM 7 CHECK REGISTER NO. 6 FOR THE PERIOD 02/20/15 THROUGH 03/05/15 AND 03/12/15. ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFERS FOR THE PERIOD 02/27/15 THROUGH 03/12/15. Check Register No. 6 for the Period 02/20/15 through 03/05/15 and 03/12/15. Electronic Funds Transfers for the Period 02/27/15 through 03/12/15. City Council approve and ratify for payment the demands presented in Check Register No. 6. NEW BUSINESS ITEM 8 RED-LIGHT PHOTO ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM The City Council extended the contract with Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc., on a month-to-month basis for up to one year and directed staff to further evaluate the Red-Light Photo Enforcement Program and report back within 12 months. The existing contract term expires March 31, 2015. City Council receive report and discuss alternatives for the City of Santa Clarita s Red-Light Photo Enforcement Program. City Traffic Engineer Andrew Yi presented information regarding the Red-Light Photo Enforcement Program. Addressing the Council was Scott Dwyer; Jennifer Pack; Steve Petzold; Rosine Taylor-White; Jay Beeber, Executive Director of Safer Streets LA; and James Farley. One written comment card was received. Page 6
Mayor Pro Tem Kellar commented on his decision to no longer support the program and indicated his supports for alternative action #3. Councilmember Acosta commented on his preference for deputies to provide enforcement at intersections; and commented on supporting alternative action #3. Councilmember Weste commented that the program's intent is safety, behavior is a direct result of the cameras; and commented on supporting the program for two additional years. Councilmember Boydston made inquiries of City Traffic Engineer Andrew Yi; and moved in favor of alternative action #3. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Kellar. Mayor McLean requested clarification from Public Works Director Robert Newman and City Traffic Engineer Andrew Yi regarding costs for deputies, the red-light camera enforcement, and rear-end collisions; and asked staff about alternatives to Redflex contract. Mayor McLean and Councilmember Weste requested information on the possibility of suspending the program, but keeping the camera equipment as an option. Redflex representative Darren Kolack, discussed options available to the City. Mayor McLean requested a substitute motion to suspend the red-light photo enforcement program for one year. Mayor Pro Tem Kellar and Councilmember Boydston called for the question. Motion to approve Alternative Action #3: Allow expiration of the current contract with Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc., and discontinue the Red-Light Photo Enforcement Program. Authorize final payment for fees owed to Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc., through contract expiration. RESULT:APPROVED [3 TO 2] MOVER: TimBen Boydston, Councilmember SECONDER: Bob Kellar, Mayor Pro Tem AYES: Dante Acosta, TimBen Boydston, Bob Kellar NAYS: Laurene Weste, Marsha McLean Mayor McLean recessed the meeting at 8:18 p.m. and reconvened at 8:26 p.m. Page 7
ITEM 9 LOS ANGELES REGIONAL INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM TELECOMMUNICATIONS TOWERS The Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) has informed the City of the planned installation of seven LA-RICS wireless telecommunications facilities on County-owned properties within the City. 1. Request Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) to conduct public outreach to nearby residents and property owners of all proposed LA-RICS telecommunications tower sites within the City of Santa Clarita, and to respond to, address and remediate concerns raised thereto. 2. Request LA-RICS to consider an alternative site location for the proposed tower at Fire Station 108 based on testimony received by nearby property owners opposed to this proposed tower. 3. Request the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors take action to prohibit the co-location of commercial (non-governmental) communication equipment at LA-RICS towers. 4. Adopt a resolution withdrawing the City of Santa Clarita from membership in the LA-RICS Joint Powers Authority. Justice Deputy Anna Moradian, representing Mayor Antonovich, provided the Council with an update on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (BOS) action on March 24, 2015, where the BOS authorized a five signature letter and outlined four directions given by the BOS to LA- RICS Joint Powers Authority. Deputy City Manager Darren Hernández presented information on this item to Council. Addressing the Council was Anthony Benitez, representing the Pacific Crest community; Gordon Firemark; Lew Currier, representing Los Angeles County Firefighter Local 1014; and Marianne Ford. Mayor Pro Tem Kellar moved the recommended action and Councilmember Acosta seconded the motion. Councilmember Weste made a recommendation to add stronger language to communication with the BOS by declaring that the City is opposed to all LA-RICS cell tower locations within the City of Santa Clarita. Councilmember Boydston and Mayor Pro Tem Kellar concurred with Councilmember Weste's recommendation. Page 8
Councilmember Weste moved to oppose the location of LA-RICS telecommunication towers anywhere in Santa Clarita; and adopt Resolution No. 15-09, withdrawing the City of Santa Clarita from membership in the LA-RICS Joint Powers Authority. RESULT: MOVER: SECONDER: AYES: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Laurene Weste, Councilmember Dante Acosta, Councilmember Acosta, Boydston, Kellar, Weste, McLean PUBLIC PARTICIPATION II Addressing the Council was Dr. Jeremy Newman, regarding 72 hour waiting period for towed vehicles; Kirk Landeen, regarding a local BMX track; Christian Gadbois, regarding a local BMX track; and James York, regarding a local BMX track. STAFF COMMENTS City Manager Ken Striplin made comment regarding the Sports Complex Master Plan which identifies the need for a BMX track in addition to sports fields and other community recreational needs; and indicated staff would provide the Council with a report via memo regarding the vehicle towing issue. Councilmember Boydston inquired about Sports Tourism and BMX tracks. ADJOURNMENT Mayor McLean adjourned the meeting in memory of Carol Kieczykowski at 9:14 p.m. ATTEST: MAYOR CITY CLERK Page 9