Day 1994.01.25CC

A meeting of the City Council of the City of Vacaville was held at the City Council Chambers, 650 Merchant Street, January 25, 1994. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Fleming at 7:40 p.m. (Vacaville Public Finance Authority meeting held prior to regular meeting)

A motion was made by Vice Mayor Kimme, seconded by Council member Clancy, "to approve the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of January 11, 1994, as written." Motion unanimously approved.

The City Manager asked that Ms. Jan Albrecht be permitted to make a brief presentation regarding the grand opening of Fisher House, following the MCC presentation. A motion was made by Vice Mayor Kimme, seconded by Council member Clancy, "to add the presentation to the agenda." Motion unanimously approved.

Volunteer Coordinator Kathy Graver and Management Assistant Laurie Decker assisted Mayor Fleming in making photo contest winner presentations. Ms. Graver noted that 55 entries were received by 21 entrants.

Housing and Redevelopment Manager Learned briefly explained the MCC program to the Council. Management Assistant Cyndi Johnston gave an overview of the program and the efforts being made to provide training to local Realtors, lenders, and the public regarding the program. Ms. Johnston asked Mayor Fleming to proclaim February as MCC month. A proclamation was presented to Bonnie Chaffe, Northern Solano County Association of Realtors. Ms. Chaffe accepted the proclamation and made a brief statement regarding the value of the program.

Ms. Jan Albert announced the grand opening of Fisher House, an establishment built to offer temporary housing for families who have family members admitted in David Grant Hospital. She stressed that the Fisher House is self-supporting - not funded by Travis AFB. Ms. Albert stated that annual operation of the Fisher House is expected to cost approximately $70,000. She also passed out flyers inviting Council and staff to the grand opening (house warming) with suggested items needed for operation (sheets, towels, cleansers, etc.). Mr. George Tucker also addressed the Council regarding the needed contributions for the successful operation of Fisher House.

A motion was made by Council member Kahn, seconded by Council member Clancy, "to adopt the resolutions and other items listed on the Consent Calendar. Motion approved by the following vote:

a) RESOLUTION NO. 1994-9 - RESOLUTION APPROVING A PURCHASE OPTION AGREEMENT AND AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO EXECUTE THE REAL PROPERTY PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND APPROVAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REA-93-200 FOR THE NUT TREE ROAD/I-80 OVERCROSSING MODIFICATIONS

d) RESOLUTION NO. 1994-12 - RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO EXECUTE A TELECENTER SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AND THE CITY OF VACAVILLE TO ESTABLISH TELECOMMUTING TELECENTERS AT VACAVILLE AND ULATIS COMMUNITY CENTERS

e) RESOLUTION NO. 1994-13 - RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR TO APPLY FOR AN URBAN STREAMS RESTORATION GRANT AND DETERMINE APPROPRIATE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT DOCUMENT, CONDITIONALLY ACCEPTING GRANT IF OFFERED, AND DESIGNATING THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR AS CONTRACT MANAGER AND FISCAL AGENT

j) RESOLUTION NO. 1994-16 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VACAVILLE APPROVING, AUTHORIZING, AND DIRECTING EXECUTION OF A FIRST AMENDMENT AND RESTATED LEASE AGREEMENT, AUTHORIZING SALE OF CERTIFICATES OF PARTICIPATION, AND APPROVING RELATED DOCUMENTS

Former employee Beverly Cauchi addressed the City Council regarding her recent resignation from City employment and why she felt compelled to bring her concerns to the attention of the City Council. She asked the City Council to review the investigative report compiled as a result of her allegations against certain City employees and to make an unbiased decision as to the validity of her complaints.

Vice Mayor Kimme suggested that the matter be heard in Closed Session and the City Attorney advised that he had talked to Ms. Cauchi earlier in the evening and made that suggestion, however Ms. Cauchi chose to have the matter discussed in open session.

The Council expressed their concern regarding Ms. Cauchi's remarks and invited her to meet with them in Closed Session following the regular meeting. It was pointed out that the City Council does not, by law, involve themselves in personnel matters, but since she is no longer employed by the City and she has asked for their involvement, they would be willing to review the matter.

Marc Eaton resident in the Ralph Avenue/Elmira Road area, spoke on behalf of several neighbors who had recently presented a petition to the City Council regarding the MAACO lighted sign on Elmira Road. He stated the residents were concerned with the brightness of the red and blue lights and felt that on foggy days, and due to the location of the sign, the lighting could be mistaken for emergency vehicle lights. Staff gave Mr. Eaton a letter which was received from MAACO this date which addressed his concerns and offered some solutions regarding illumination. Mayor Fleming asked Director Werner to review the MAACO letter with Mr. Eaton to establish a suitable resolution to the concerns.

Terry Jones inquired about his water/sewer charges for a duplex he owns. Mayor Fleming asked Mr. Jones to meet with Director Pfeiffer for an explanation. Vice Mayor Kimme asked to be informed of the outcome of their discussion.

The City Manager explained that recent legislation requires two public hearings prior to formation of an assessment district. This public hearing is necessary to receive public input; the second public hearing will entertain public input and require subsequent Council action. He explained that property owners in the Vacaville Business Park (Buzz Oates) petitioned the City to refund the existing Assessment District and bond finance their recent improvements to mainly serve Chiron. The current East Monte Vista Assessment District will become part of the I-505 Assessment District.

The staff report was reviewed for the record. The City Manager noted that the Environmental Impact Report released on the Alamo Place Subdivision raised the issue of fiscal impact upon the City. He noted that the same issue was raised with the North Village annexation and development and as a result Council's direction was to pursue the formation of a Mello-Roos taxing district to generate revenue to neutralize the "service deficit" generated by that project. Based on the direction regarding North Village, staff felt that a Mello-Roos district should be made a condition of the Alamo Place annexation and development. Staff asked for Council direction regarding this, and other subsequent residential projects.

Steve Hicks, O'Brien & Hicks, expressed concerns with the proposed Mello Roos mechanism and urged Council not to consider this type of tax which may cause a burden on first-time and new home buyers.

A motion was made by Vice Mayor Kimme, seconded by Council member Clancy, "to approve a Mello-Roos district or other financing mechanism to help resolve the negative fiscal impacts of Alamo Place and other future residential developments. Motion approved (4-1 Fleming).

Director Pfeiffer presented the parking lot and on-street parking inventory findings to the City Council. He suggested that if the City Council contemplated changing time limits in any of the parking lots, it may be beneficial to refer the matter to the Downtown Merchants Association for their recommendation due to the varied parking needs in the downtown area.

Housing and Redevelopment Manager Learned pointed out that a "guide to downtown parking" brochure was developed and made available to downtown businesses in an effort to make them aware of various parking lots available, as well as those with longer-term time limits.

Several business owners, tenants, and employees of the downtown area expressed frustrations with the Lot 6 parking time limitations. It was pointed out by several people that they must spend time moving their cars every 2 - 4 hours in order to avoid tickets. Speakers complained of excessive parking tickets acquired because of the nature of their business and their inability to monitor the length of time their vehicle is parking in a particular parking stalls. It was suggested that the City consider issuing employee parking permits to area businesses, and perhaps develop an amnesty program for people currently possessing a large number of parking citations. There wre also questions regarding the need for "meter maids" in the downtown area.

Teresa Hite, Summit Properties, stated she currently manages buildings on Cernon and Mason Street and strongly supported Director Pfeiffer's suggestion to refer the time limit discussion to a "Partnership Committee" comprised of members and non-members of the Downtown Merchants Association, business owners, tenants, and employees, to develop recommendations for the City Council and that the matter be placed on a future Council agenda, no later than March 25.

Jim Tooke, owner of Merchant and Main Restaurant, pointed out that, while some businesses require longer parking time limits, his business' survival depends upon patrons having shorter term parking available. He also shared a parking policy he has developed for his employees.

Tom Zapetta, resident on Elizabeth Street, stated that he is experiencing problems with day-long commuters parking on Elizabeth Street, thereby eliminating parking where he lives. He asked that the Council consider some type of permit parking on Elizabeth and Catherine Streets.

A motion was made by Vice Mayor Kimme, seconded by Council member Tatum, "to accept the annual parking lot survey and refer the parking lot time limits to the Downtown Merchants Association, to form an ad-hoc committee, consisting of employers/employees, business owners and tenants, etc., to study the ratio of parking lot time limits, specifically in parking Lot 6, and that the ad-hoc committee review the concept of business parking permits and/or parking fees, and make recommendations to the City Council at a future meeting." Council member Clancy asked that the motion maker accept a friendly amendment, "to reverse the parking time limits in Lot 6, thereby creating 74 four-hour parking spaces and 61 two-hour parking spaces, until the ad-hoc committee makes its recommendations." Motion amendment not accepted. Original motion unanimously approved (5-0).

Council member Tatum commented on a letter received from Colleen Cox regarding graffiti and efforts being made to remove it from public buildings. Council member Tatum commended City staff for trying to keep graffiti off public buildings and urged private property owners to do the same. Council member Tatum reviewed issues discussed at the City/School Relations Committee meeting held January 24 at Foxboro School. He also mentioned communication received from a citizens regarding implementing a smoking ordinance. Vice Mayor Kimme stated he would support a tri-City ordinance regarding no smoking in restaurants. Mayor Fleming suggested that the issue needs more study and discussion and noted that there are some people who are not aware of Vacaville's smoking ordinance.

Vice Mayor Kimme commented on the recent robbery in the Safeway Parking lot involving Japanese visitors. He offered thanks and gratitude to those people who responded with food and acted as interpreters. Mayor Fleming stated he would be sending a letter of apology to those involved, as well as to their appropriate government officials.