Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the La Mesa City Council Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. City Council Chambers, 8130 Allison Avenue, La Mesa, California Mayor Arapostathis called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Mayor Arapostathis; Vice Mayor McWhirter; Councilmembers Alessio, Baber and Parent. ABSENT: STAFF:. City Manager Garrett; City Attorney Sabine; City Clerk Wiegelman; Assistant City Manager Humora. INVOCATION COUNCILMEMBER PARENT PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CITY MANAGER COMMENTS There were no comments. COMMUNITY BULLETIN REPORTS The Mayor, Council and staff made announcements and reported on various events taking place in the City. No action was taken. PRESENTATIONS PROCLAIMING A DAY OF CELEBRATION RECOGNIZING THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE COMMITMENT TO FAIR AND EQUAL TREATMENT BY THE CITY OF LA MESA TO ALL CITIZENS AND VISITORS The Day of Celebration proclamation was pulled from the agenda. PROCLAIMING MAY 3, 2017 AS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY Councilmember Baber presented the proclamation to Police Chief Vasquez. Police Chief Vasquez thanked the Mayor and City Council for the recognition of Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Day. La Mesa City Council Meeting Minutes 1 Tuesday, April 25, 2017
PROCLAIMING APRIL 2017 AS VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH AND MAY 25, 2017 AS VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DAY Mayor Arapostathis presented the proclamation to Community Services Director Susan Richardson. Community Services Director Susan Richardson thanked the Mayor and City Council for the recognition of Volunteer Appreciation Month and Volunteer Appreciation Day. She extended thanks and appreciation to all La Mesa volunteers. ADDITIONS AND/OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA Mayor Arapostathis announced that Staff Report Item No. 6 would be considered following Public Comment. Councilmember Baber announced that the Day of Celebration proclamation was pulled from the agenda. PUBLIC COMMENTS (TOTAL TIME 15 MINUTES) Frank Baggett, resident, spoke regarding speeding issues on Sacramento Drive and possible traffic-calming measures to reduce the speeding problem. Michael Benge and Jean Baber spoke on the Helix Instrumental Music Program and announced that the Helix Instrumental Music Association would be hosting their 25 th Annual Giving Gala on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. Brenda Gipson, resident, spoke on her experience as a La Mesa volunteer and expressed her appreciation for all volunteers. CONSENT CALENDAR (Items 1 through 5) A discussion ensued between Council and staff on Consent Calendar Item No. 5 regarding the San Diego HOME Consortium Program and the number of La Mesa residents who have used the program. 1. APPROVAL OF MOTION TO WAIVE THE READING OF THE TEXT OF ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS AT THIS MEETING Approved. 2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING HELD TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2017 Approved. 3. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA MESA REAFFIRMING AUTHORIZATION TO COLLECT PUBLIC, EDUCATIONAL AND La Mesa City Council Meeting Minutes 2 Tuesday, April 25, 2017
GOVERNMENTAL ( PEG ) FEES BY COX COMMUNICATIONS, LLC Resolution No. 2017-024 was adopted. 4. RECEIVE AND FILE A REPORT ON THE STATUS OF EMERGENCY REPAIR OF STORM DRAIN PIPE ON WELLESLEY STREET Received and filed. 5. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RENEWAL OF AN AGREEMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY HOME CONSORTIUM FOR FY 2018-2019 THROUGH FY 2020-2021 WITH AUTOMATIC RENEWAL IN EACH SUCCESSIVE PERIOD Resolution No. 2017-025 was adopted. ACTION: Motioned by Vice Mayor McWhirter and seconded by Councilmember Alessio to approve Consent Calendar Items 1 through 5. Mayor Arapostathis, Vice Mayor McWhirter, Councilmember Alessio, STAFF REPORT 6. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO INITIATE THE NOTIFICATION PROCESS REQUIRED BY PROPOSITION 218 AND SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR A PROPOSED INCREASE IN EDCO TRASH RATES TO BE EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2017 Staff Report Item No. 6 was considered following Public Comment. Interim Public Works Director Firsht provided a brief overview of the staff report. Management Analyst Bullers explained the Proposition 218 notification process and timeline and discussed the rate proposal from EDCO. Management Analyst Bullers said staff recommended the Council authorize staff to initiate the notification process required by Proposition 218 and schedule a public hearing on June 27, 2017 to hear and consider the proposed adjustments to EDCO trash rates. Ms. Bullers introduced Steve South, President/CEO, EDCO Disposal, and Jeff Ritchie, Vice President, EDCO Disposal, who were present to answer Council questions. A discussion ensued between Council and staff regarding the number of residents who are noticed of the public hearing, the cost of the notification process, and the content of the notice. ACTION: Motioned by Councilmember Baber and seconded by Vice Mayor McWhirter to authorize staff to initiate the notification process required by Proposition 218 and schedule a La Mesa City Council Meeting Minutes 3 Tuesday, April 25, 2017
public hearing on June 27, 2017 to hear and consider the proposed adjustments to EDCO trash rates. Mayor Arapostathis, Vice Mayor McWhirter, Councilmember Alessio, COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS (3 MINUTE LIMIT) The Mayor and Council reported on various outside boards, commissions and committee meetings they attended. No action was taken. Councilmember Baber asked Assistant City Manager Humora to provide an update on the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant permit. Assistant City Manager Humora reported that the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant permit conditions were significantly changed during the review process and that staff is pleased with the progress and felt it was movement in the right direction for the City of La Mesa. He stated that the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Diego Region held a public hearing on April 12, 2017 to hear and consider the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant permit with the revised conditions, and that the permit was approved with additional language change by a 4-2 vote. Assistant City Manager Humora said that the next steps in the permit approval process include the permit being heard and considered by the Metro Commission and Coastal Commission in May. AB 1234 REPORTS (GC 53232.3(d)) There were no reports. COUNCIL INITIATED 7. COUNCIL CONSIDERATION TO ENGAGE THE SERVICES OF A LEGISLATIVE LOBBYIST TO ADVOCATE ON LA MESA S BEHALF REGARDING AB 805 (GONZALEZ-FLETCHER) COUNCILMEMBER BABER AND COUNCILMEMBER ALESSIO Councilmember Alessio reported on her recent trip to Sacramento to lobby against AB 805 unless amended on behalf of the City of La Mesa. She discussed the need for an experienced lobbyist to advocate on behalf of the City of La Mesa. A discussion ensued between Council regarding the need for a lobbyist, the cost of hiring a lobbyist, the timeline of the AB 805 approval process, the stance of other cities on AB 805, the process for hiring a lobbyist, the actions the League of Cities is taking to lobby for the cities they represent, and the effectiveness of lobbyists. La Mesa City Council Meeting Minutes 4 Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Jack Shu, resident, spoke in support of AB 805 and on his concerns and issues with SANDAG. A discussion continued among Council regarding hiring the services of a legislative lobbyist to advocate on La Mesa's behalf regarding AB 805 and the other options available in lieu of hiring a lobbyist. Mayor Arapostathis stated he would be voting no because he is uncertain of the impact a lobbyist would have at this time due to how rapidly the approval process of AB 805 is moving. Councilmember Parent stated he would be voting no because he does not think it is a good investment or a good use of public dollars. ACTION: Motioned by Councilmember Baber and seconded by Councilmember Alessio to allocate up to $5,000 to engage the services of a legislative lobbyist to advocate on La Mesa's behalf regarding AB 805. Vote: 3-2 Vice Mayor McWhirter, Councilmember Alessio and Councilmember Baber Mayor Arapostathis, Councilmember Parent 7:00 P.M. HEARINGS 8. A. CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTING THE FEE SCHEDULE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017-2018; AND B. ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT TO THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION CONGESTION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (RTCIP) DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017-2018 Notice of the hearing was given in accordance with legal requirements, and the hearing was held on the date and at the time specified in the notice. Mayor Arapostathis opened the hearing for Item No. 8A at 7:23 p.m. Senior Management Analyst Dedmon provided background on the City s Cost Allocation and User Fee Study. Mr. Dedmon discussed the annual update of the fees, and explained the new and adjusted fees. Senior Management Analyst Dedmon said the staff recommended the Council adopt the resolution adopting a fee schedule to be charged by various City departments for Fiscal Year 2017-2018. A discussion ensued between Council and staff regarding the costs and cost recovery of special events, fees associated with Measure U, approaches to recovering costs of illegally operated marijuana dispensaries, the annual medical marijuana maintenance reports, the process of including a fee associated with the monitoring of affordable housing, and reviewing the cost to appeal projects. La Mesa City Council Meeting Minutes 5 Tuesday, April 25, 2017
ACTION: Motioned by Vice Mayor McWhirter and seconded by Councilmember Parent to close the hearing since there was no one in the audience who wished to speak. Mayor Arapostathis, Vice Mayor McWhirter, Councilmember Alessio, ACTION: Motioned by Councilmember Parent and seconded by Councilmember Alessio to adopt Resolution No. 2017-026 adopting a fee schedule to be charged by various City departments for Fiscal Year 2017-2018. Mayor Arapostathis, Vice Mayor McWhirter, Councilmember Alessio, Mayor Arapostathis opened the public hearing for Item No. 8B at 7:42 p.m. Management Analyst Bullers provided an overview of the annual adjustment to the Regional Transportation Congestion Improvement Program (RTCIP) development impact fee. Management Analyst Bullers said the staff recommended the Council adopt the resolution adopting the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) annual adjustment to the RTCIP Development Impact Fee to comply with the requirements of SANDAG Commission Ordinance 04-01 and Transnet Extension Ordinance and Expenditure Plan. ACTION: Motioned by Councilmember Alessio and seconded by Mayor Arapostathis to close the hearing since there was no one in the audience who wished to speak. Mayor Arapostathis, Vice Mayor McWhirter, Councilmember Alessio, Councilmember Parent commented that a considerable percentage of bike and pedestrian accidents occur at the regional arterials where revenues from the RTCIP fees will be used to construct transportation improvements. La Mesa City Council Meeting Minutes 6 Tuesday, April 25, 2017
ACTION: Motioned by Mayor Arapostathis and seconded by Councilmember Alessio to adopt Resolution No. 2017-027 adopting the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) annual adjustment to the Regional Transportation Congestion Improvement Program (RTCIP) Development Impact Fee to comply with the requirements of SANDAG Commission Ordinance 04-01 and Transnet Extension Ordinance and Expenditure Plan. Mayor Arapostathis, Vice Mayor McWhirter, Councilmember Alessio, 9. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE PARK IN-LIEU AND IMPACT PROJECT FEES FOR PARK PROJECTS AND MAKE THE FINDINGS AS REQUIRED UNDER GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 66001(A) Notice of the hearing was given in accordance with legal requirements, and the hearing was held on the date and at the time specified in the notice. Mayor Arapostathis opened the public hearing at 7:45 p.m. Councilmember Baber recused himself for Hearings Item No. 9 because he has a potential conflict under Government Code Section 87100 due to the location of his property. Senior Management Analyst Dedmon provided background on the park in-lieu and impact fees, and discussed the allocation of funds to park projects based on the Park Master Plan. Senior Management Analyst Dedmon said staff recommended the Council adopt the resolution to support the findings as required by California Government Code 66001 and appropriate Park In- Lieu and Impact Fees to park projects as outlined in the Parks Master Plan. A discussion ensued between Council regarding the park projects that are currently in progress and planned park projects that are awaiting funds. ACTION: Motioned by Mayor Arapostathis and seconded by Vice Mayor McWhirter to close the hearing since there was no one in the audience who wished to speak. Vote: 4-0-1 Mayor Arapostathis, Vice Mayor McWhirter, Councilmember Alessio, and Councilmember Parent Councilmember Baber ACTION: Motioned by Vice Mayor McWhirter and seconded by Mayor Arapostathis to adopt Resolution No. 2017-028 supporting the findings for Park In-Lieu and Impact Fees as required by California Government Code 66001 and appropriating funds to park projects. La Mesa City Council Meeting Minutes 7 Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Vote: 4-0-1 Mayor Arapostathis, Vice Mayor McWhirter, Councilmember Alessio, and Councilmember Parent Councilmember Baber CITY ATTORNEY REMARKS There were no remarks. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Arapostathis adjourned the meeting at 7:49 p.m. Megan Wiegelman, CMC City Clerk La Mesa City Council Meeting Minutes 8 Tuesday, April 25, 2017