HomeMy WebLinkAboutTC Min 2008-03-20
TOWN OF TIBURON
1505 Tiburon Boulevard
Tiburon, CA 94920
Town Council Minutes
#05A-2008
adopted on May 7,2008
MEMORANDUM
Date:
April 4, 2008
To:
Mayor and Town Council
From:
Peggy Curran, Town Manager
Subject:
Summary of March 20, 2008 Council-Staff Retreat
On the afternoon of March 20,2008, the Town Council and eleven senior staff members
met for a retreat at The Lodge in Tiburon to review progress from last year's retreat and
discuss direction for the upcoming fiscal year. A summary of that discussion follows.
REVIEW OF PROGRESS ON PRIOR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
A written status report was provided (Attachment 1) and reviewed. Comments on
specific items included a request by Town Council that staff reconvene the Paradise
Drive sub-committee and that the e-newsletter, Tiburon Talk, perhaps should include a
"Did You Know" section to educate readers about town government. An example was
the distribution of property taxes among various governmental entities.
DISCUSSION OF CURRENT ISSUES
Community issues:
1. Little League Funding
It was clarified that this discussion was not to resolve the specific funding request of the
Tiburon Peninsula Little League but rather to talk about the broader issue of funding
requests for support from various community organizations. The concerns include:
. What is the appropriate process for considering such requests?
. What criteria should be applied for funding or setting an amount?
. How is fairness achieved when others groups also seek funding?
The suggestion was made that perhaps the Recreation Master Plan (discussed later on
the agenda and in these minutes) might address these issues. Reference was made to the
annual golf tournament that rotates beneficiaries each year and that perhaps a similar
program could be arranged for local groups. The Finance Committee was asked to look
into these questions and provide a recommendation for addressing this issue through
the upcoming budget process.
2. Lyford Drive Parking
Councilmember Collins had raised the issue of improving the de facto parking lot that
exists along the south east side of Tiburon Boulevard at Lyford Drive. Staff brought
forward several year old plans that were developed for upgrading its appearance
through the introduction of a planted divider between the parking and the roadway on
Caltrans right-of-way. Staff pointed out that there is no outside funding available for
any improvements. Council directed staff to seek Caltrans approval and cost out a
project for future Council consideration as a capital project.
3. Proposed Revisions to the Municipal Code
Green building codes: Regarding the current process where the Planning Commission is
considering recommendation for amendments to the Town's muni code, Council said
the Town should "not be the first kids on the block" on this issue but rather look to
models that are succeeding elsewhere.
Sign ordinance: The Town Attorney said that the Council should not be surprised when
it receives, shortly, a very lengthy draft sign ordinance. She explained that she was
working with outside counsel on the matter and that the law is very restrictive about
what can and cannot be regulated by Towns.
Construction vehicles on Tiburon Blvd.: Staff described its intention to bring forward
code amendments that would restrict overnight parking on Tiburon Blvd and other
locations throughout Town. It also described methods under consideration to reduce
the number of vehicles that are 'stored' on Town streets.
4. Belvedere Tiburon Joint Recreation Committee/Recreation Master Plan
The Town Manager described how BTJRC had been in turmoil without an executive
director for many months, but now had hired one and was becoming more stable.
Regarding consideration of any changes in the structure of BTJRC (the question of it
existing as a separate entity or perhaps coming under either Tiburon or Belvedere),
Councilmember Gram suggested that issue be set aside until BTJRC has had more time
to stabilize under its new leadership.
Regarding development of a Recreation Master Plan, Vice Mayor Fredericks suggested
that a comprehensive plan be broader than the services provided by BTJRC; she also
observed it could provide the impetus for a community center. The sentiment was
expressed that the Master Plan be very broad and include all recreational facilities and
programs and issues such as the Tiburon Peninsula Club and Corinthian Yacht Club's
roles, the Art Festival, athletic organizations, the Labor Day Parade and school district
recreational programs and facilities. Staff was also urged to seek out other Recreation
Master Plans from other similar communities.
It was generally agreed that the development of a Recreation Master Plan, similar to the
evaluation of BTJRC's structure, be deferred for at least six months until BTJRC, who
would be a party to the RMP's development, has had the chance to stabilize.
Administrative issues
1. Technology
Information Technology Manager Chad Monterichard provided an update technology
infrastructure, including a system upgrades that will improve its speed.
2. 2008-2009 Budget
Director of Administrative Services Heidi Bigall provided an overview of financial
projections for the upcoming budget (Attachment 2). The overall conclusion was that
our reserves are sound, but the budget, when views are revenues versus expenditures, is
tightening and the significant annual surpluses of prior years can be expected to shrink
or disappear in future years.
Town Manager Curran described how changes are being made to the format of the
budget to simplify its presentation and create a new non-departmental section of the
budget to pull items unrelated to departments (like the Library pass-through of funds)
out of departmental budgets. This will make year-to-year comparisons more
meaningful. She also distributed a template that will be used to incorporate major
objectives (the annual work program) into the budget process (Attachment 3).
3. Brief Updates on Current Issues
Staff provided updates on the following subjects:
a. MERA
Police Chief Mike Cronin gave a status report on the MERA radio
system, including some of its failings that came to light during the big
winter storm this year (too much higher-priority traffic on the system
to make it useful for Public Works).
b. Pine Terrace
Chief Cronin described his interaction with neighbors and that they
are moving toward a permit parking system for the street.
c. Consolidation of POSC and BP AC
Town Manager Curran and Community Development Director Scott
Anderson described efforts to move toward consolidation, with the
expectation that it would come before the town Council at its April
2nd meeting.
d. Storm Drain Master Plan
Public Works Director Nick Nguyen described the scope of these
upcoming efforts and that it will take many years to work through
the $11 million dollar improvements identified in the plan.
e. Newsletter communication
Town Manager Curran described the plan to drop the semi-annual
print newsletter in favor of e-mail and snail mail to those who so
request. Councilmember Fredericks suggested a follow-up postcard
to any mailers to help get the word out about people's options.
f. Ethics Training
Town Clerk Diane Crane Iacopi reminded the Town Council of its bi-
annual training requirements.
OTHER ISSUES
1. Term Limits for Board and Commission Members
Mayor Slavitz asked how Town Council members would feel about setting a two term
limit for those serving on Boards and Commissions. The general notion was that this
might be counterproductive in that there are not always enough qualified applicants to
go around. The sentiment was also expressed by Councilmember Gram that the
knowledge commissioners gain from years of service can be very valuable. The
consensus was to leave the current process unchanged.
2. Open Space Master Plan
Community Development Director Anderson reminded Council that this year's budget
allocation was used for direct reduction in invasive plant species and fire hazards but
that, next year, staff would be looking to develop a management plan document that
would identify areas of need and set forth priorities for maintenance and management
efforts. Areas already identified by staff include fire safety buffers, protection of special
status plant species, removal of invasive vegetation, and public trail maintenance.
Council concurred with this general approach.
Comments from Town Councilmembers
Mayor Slavitz: Customer service is really important, and something staff does very
well.
Councilmember Berger: Nick (Nguyen) gets lots of compliments. Speeding on Centro
West continues to be an issue he would like to see addressed. The Community
Development function is a model of "doing it right" .
Vice Mayor Fredericks: The appeal on the agenda last night was a good example of
"how well it can be done".
Councilmember Gram: Staff is doing a great job, being pro-active, going out five years
with the capital program is really important, Tiburon Talk is exceptional and should be
used more. We have a great balance of new blood and experience on staff - "staff makes
us look good". Perhaps we should consider streaming Council meetings on the Internet
if there is a particularly controversial issue.
Councilmember Collins: He has worked with Community Development Department for
the past five years which formed the basis for his positive opinion of staff. Also, has
anyone considered a speed monitor for Centro West?
The retreat was adjourned at 5:00 p.m. to dinner.
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DIANE CRAl"JE IACOPI, TOWN CLERK