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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTC Min 2007-07-19 TOWN OF TIBURON 1505 Tiburon Boulevard Tiburon, CA 94920 MEMORANDUM Date: July 31, 2007 To: Mayor and Town Council From: Peggy Curran, Town Manager Subject: Summary of July 19,2007 Council-Staff Retreat On the afternoon of July 19,2007, the Council and staffmet for a retreat at Servino's Restaurant to review last year's goals and talk about direction for the upcoming fiscal year. A summary of the discussion follows. I. REVIEW OF PROGRESS ON 2006 GOALS Below Market Rate Housing Development Strategy Discussion: Ordinances to enable BMR housing have been completed. Some funds exist for this purpose but the greatest need is for land. Council said staff should be looking to redevelopment in the downtown for opportunities to create mixed-use projects that include BMR housing. Direction: Staff should actively seek out opportunities to work with property owners who are considering redevelopment and work with them to include BMR housing. Pavement Management System Strategy Discussion: Public Works Director Nick Nguyen reported on the plan to upgrade streets, especially "failed streets". The Lyford Cove area is scheduled to be overlaid shortly now that the undergrounding is in its final stages; all affected Del Mar streets will also be overlaid after that undergrounding project is commenced (post litigation) and completed. The resurfacing of these streets will take priority, but may take several years depending on budget allocations. The schedule for other streets is being pursued. Director Nguyen reported that all failed streets may be repaired by the end of the 2008-09 fiscal year, which is sooner than previously anticipated. Direction: Continue implementing the current program. Adopted on August 15,2007 - Town Council Minutes #14-2007 Community Center Opportunities Subject was folded into Recreation Master Plan discussion later on agenda. Bus/Sh uttle/ Jitney Opportunities Discussion: There was agreement that there were no viable opportunities for the Town to pursue transit at this time. Direction: Consider the matter closed. Ferry Service Opportunities Discussion: Town Manager Curran and Councilmember Berger provided a synopsis of the status of ferry service and discussions with the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway Transportation District, the Water Transit Authority and Blue and Gold Ferry Service. The recent increase in fares, unfortunate but necessary, seems to have stabilized service for a while. A longer-term outlook might include an agreement whereby B&G service is provided under contract to GGBHTD with capital contributions from WT A for a boat. This would make the Tiburon route eligible for public transit subsidies and perhaps ensure ferry service to the peninsula into the future. Direction: Staff should stay in communication with the parties and explore opportunities for the alternative mode of service delivery described above over the next several years. Opportunities to Streamline Major Development applications Processes Discussion: Community Development Director Anderson updated the Council on the status of streamlining efforts, including staff revisions to and streamlining of the RFP process. Mayor Gram encouraged staff to be mindful of the cost and timing of EIRs and that we let people know we're doing what we can to assist applicants get through the process. He recommended firm milestones and penalty clauses in contracts in order to encourage EIR firms to meet their deadlines. Direction: Continue working with applicants to provide a high level of service throughout the development review process. Paradise Drive Strategy Discussion: Councilmember Slavitz reported on meetings he has attended with Councilmember Fredericks and staff regarding Paradise Drive. Direction: Staffwill explore with LAFCO and County representatives the possibility of annexing property adjacent to the road without annexing the road itself. This arrangement would necessitate a payment agreement to keep the County whole with regard to income to maintain the road. Commission/Committee/Board Restructuring Opportunities Discussion: Council members expressed an interest in exploring whether some committees, etc. can be consolidated or may have served their purpose and no longer be needed. In particular, Council wondered if BP AC and POSC present opportunities for consolidation or modification. Councilmember Smith questioned ~hether it might be useful to have, or create from existing committees, a "Community Facilities Commission" to act as an umbrella group to assist the Council in evaluating public elements including open space, a community center, recreation facilities, etc. Direction: Staff should explore possibilities and make recommendations to Council for reducing, consolidating or restructuring existing committees. Green Building Policy Discussion: Staff noted that the Council had provided direction on this issue at the recent workshops with the Design Review Board and Planning Commission. That direction had been to adapt green building programs successfully implemented by other local jurisdictions for use by the Town. Direction: Looking to other Marin cities and the County for guidance, staff should bring forth modifications to the Municipal Code to promote green building and energy efficiency. Downtown Project Development Discussion: Councilmembers agreed that redevelopment in the downtown presents great opportunities for the creation of housing, including BMR housing as well as other amenities for the community. It was also noted that this can only happen through the cooperation of private property owners. The Town alone does not have control over this Issue. Direction: Staff should work with property owners as they express interest in redeveloping their properties to optimize the results for the benefit of the community. II. CURRENT ISSUES Communication with Citizens Discussion: IT Coordinator Chad Monterichard gave a status report on the Town's information technology, concluding it was in good shape and that huge progress had been made over the past few years to advance it to its current status. Manager Curran reported on plans to bring an electronic newsletter to fruition shortly. Council encouraged greater use of the Town's web site to bring important timely news to citizens such as road closures, etc. Direction: Staff should proceed to implement the electronic newsletter and make as extensive use as possible of our information capabilities with regards to keeping citizens informed. Recreation Master Plan Discussion: Council expressed an interest in seeing staff proceed 10 conduct a Recreation Master Plan that would address assess the communities interest in and need for facilities and programs the town currently or might offer in the future. Direction: Working with BTJRC and Belvedere, staff should develop a scope of work and budget for a Recreation Master Plan and return to Council for direction to proceed. Legislative Action Discussion: The problem of timely response on urgently-needed legislative action was discussed. Council agreed it was comfortable with an ad hoc committee of two, the Mayor and the Council's MCCMC representative, speaking on behalf of the whole council on legislative matters. Direction: Staffwill communicate with the ad hoc sub-committee as necessary to seek direction on legislative action and act accordingly. Open Space Management Discussion: Director of Community Development Anderson and Planning Manager Watrous presented an overview of management issues related to Town-owned open space, including proliferation of invasive plants and increased awareness of defensible space concerns where open space borders residential properties. Councilmember Smith stated that the Town needs to make a greater effort to maintain its open space. It was noted that the County is preparing an open space management plan for Ring Mountain, and the Town was encouraged to coordinate with the County's efforts, along with those of local citizens attempting to address the issue of removing invasive plants. Direction: Staff should proceed with development of an Open Space Management Plan. Comprehensive Signage Discussion: The Mayor opined and the Council agreed that the Town's graphic image, including Skippy, the current shark logo, is in need of modernization. All Town signage could use an overhaul in both graphic appearance and content. Councilmember Berger stated he thought we needed to look broadly for inspiration, not just at the new fountain. Manager Curran pointed out that funds have been appropriated for this purpose. Council concurred that changes to both the logo and overall signage program were warranted. Direction: Staff should develop an approach to review and overhaul the Town's signage including a new graphic look and the development of a new Town logo. "View and Sunlight Obstruction from Trees" Ordinance Discussion: Council discussed the pros and cons of the Town's tree ordinance as well as language from Belvedere's ordinance. The conclusion was that the ordinance we have now is working well and should not be changed. Direction: None. Other Items Discussion: Council requested that staff revise the Undergrounding District Policy, so that future districts benefit from prior experience. Direction: Prepare an updated policy. III. INDIVIDUAL COU~CIL MEMBERS ANSWERS TO THE QUESTION: WHAT IS THE ONE OBJECTIVE YOU WOULD MOST LIKE TO SEE ACCOMPLIHSED BY THE TOWN DURING THE NEXT 3-5 YEARS? Mayor Gram: Stated he was pleased that we had moved into the digital age so successfully and wants to see us continue to progress on that front. We need to aggressively collect e-mail addresses for our electronic newsletter and other communications and maximize use of the website. Councilmember Slavitz: Feels the Town is looking great and functioning well, but he would like to see us do a better job of serving the underserved, particularly youth, which should be addressed in the Recreation Master Plan, and the provision of affordable housing. He would like to see us educate people that affordable housing is not a bad thing and that they should support the creation of more of it. Councilmember Berger: We should encourage, facilitate and coordinate redevelop of the downtown. It could be a place where people live with rental and for-sale units, senior housing, big and small dwellings, second floor offices, modern, pedestrian-oriented retail at ground level. On a case-by-case basis we should consider increasing Floor Area Ratios. An idea: perhaps we should convene a property owners' summit for those with redevelopable land? Councilmember Fredericks: We need a recreation plan; youth programs or facilities are an important part of that. As for a community center, we should think of it expansively. Perhaps it is more than just a building (or not even a building) but a compendium of resources for the community. The recreation plan should consider all these things. Councilmember Smith: He wants to see Tiburon live up to its potential. Last year's fountain was a great example of what is possible. Many people don't participate in community, and we should try to increase involvement with local government and other local institutions. We should find better ways to communicate with citizens and try to provide a better local-serving downtown with mixed use projects. IV. WHAT IS COUNCIL'S SATISFACTION LEVEL WITH STAFF AND WHAT CAN WE DO BETTER? All Council expressed appreciation for staff and the level of service provided. Specifically, Councilmembers added: Councilmember Berger: We have a first rate planning staff - the best around. Councilmember Slavitz: Town Hall seems to work very cooperatively with each other and with citizens. Keep it up. Communication is key area where even more can be done. Councilmember Fredericks: Service delivery is excellent, and it is impressive how we work together. Last year's Labor Day Parade was an example of something that was unscheduled yet ended up being well organized. Councilmember Smith: Really appreciates what we do best: deal successfully with a demanding public. Mayor Gram: Despite turnover in key positions in the last 18 months, Public Works Director, Town Manager, and Police Chief, the Town continues to run smoothly. Staff has done a great job of embracing change. Staff should "keep following up" when issues arise, and over- communicate rather than under-communicate. We can't be static - we can't assume what happened yesterday is good enough today. We need to continually adapt. ................................................................................ The foregoing was adopted as Minutes by the Tib on To Council on August 15,2007.