HomeMy WebLinkAboutTC Minutes 2010-03-23TOWN OF TIBURON
1505 Tiburon Boulevard
Tiburon, CA 94920
MEMORANDUM
Date: March 26, 2010
To: Mayor and Town Council
From: Peggy Curran, Town Manager
Subject: Summary of March 23, 2010 Council-Staff Retreat
On the afternoon of March 23, 2010, the Town Council and ten members of staff met for a retreat
at Servino Restaurant to review progress on current objectives, discuss the state of the Town's
budget and provide direction for the upcoming fiscal year. A summary of the retreat follows.
Introduction
Mayor Collins kicked off the afternoon with introductory remarks and a review of the agenda
before turning the floor over to the Town Manager Curran.
Review of Progress on Current FY Objectives
Manager Curran and staff went through a brief update of current objectives (attached).
Regarding the Lyford Parking project, Councilmember O'Donnell inquired about the inclusion
of undergrounding and Public Works Director Nguyen explained how it is being examined for
inclusion in the project using Rule 20A funds. There appeared to be consensus that
undergrounding from Lyford to Mar West would be a good use of these funds. Curran briefly
ran through the balance of the objectives, noting that the Town has been trying to resolve Angel
Island fire coverage issues with Cal Fire but thus far their verbal cooperation has not evolved
into a concrete resolution of the situation.
Budget Projections for Next Fiscal Year
Administrative Services Director Bigall led a presentation on budget trends. Her analysis
indicates that the Town budget was somewhat down relative to projections for this fiscal year,
and that revenues are expected to decline further the following year. In particular, sales and
hotel tax receipts are dropping, building permit revenue is down substantially and property tax
is flattening. Bigall and Curran have asked each department to identify 5% cuts as a starting
point in the difficult challenge of bringing in a balanced budget next fiscal year. Council
recommended staff "look at the big chunks" of the budget for savings, specifically personnel
and PERS costs, which comprise some 70% of the budget. Councilmember Fraser suggested
considering flat revenue projections for future years (beyond the upcoming 2010-2011 fiscal year
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for which staff is projecting declining revenues) rather than the modest increases plugged into
the staff model. Bigall and Curran concluded by stating they are working with the Council
budget committee and will bring a balanced budget forward in late April.
Review of Projects and Issues
Councilmember O'Donnell led a discussion on downtown related issues, pointing out the value
of rethinking some of the Town's assumptions on the amount of retail space and noting that
resident-serving businesses are very hard to attract and retain. Regarding retail, O'Donnell
thought the Town might be able to "add through subtraction". Manager Curran cautioned that
less retail can reduce critical mass necessary for all businesses to succeed. Mixed use
development, which increases retail demand through the addition of housing as well as retail on
ground floor frontages, was raised as a good model for the future. The trade off between more
shopper demand and concerns about traffic was noted. There was a consensus that the
question of how to help the downtown thrive to enhance the character of Tiburon was an
important one deserving of more exploration and analysis.
Manager Curran reported that she had approved privately funded twelve flower baskets on six
light poles in the downtown. She said the Chamber of Commerce was working on a
promotional campaign to aid local businesses and was considering including a banner program
for light poles. Councilmember Fredericks stated that banners can be in poor taste or look too
commercial rather than appealing if not done carefully. Curran confirmed that any banner
proposals would come back to the Town Council for approval. Curran inquired if the Council
would support a replacement program for the holiday banners, which she said were looking
dated and worn out. Council expressed support if the cost was not significant.
Councilmember O'Donnell inquired about the possibility of replacing concrete medians on
Tiburon Boulevard with planted ones, specifically noting the medians near Blackfield Drive.
Staff pointed out that these medians are not in the Town of Tiburon and are Caltrans property,
although they expect Caltrans would allow these improvements if the Town were willing to pay
for them and their maintenance. Line-of-sight considerations are likely to be a Caltrans concern.
Council agreed the change to planted medians was desirable, but wanted to know the costs.
Council asked staff to return with cost estimates as part of the 2010-2011 capital improvement
budget. Staff was also encouraged to talk to Belvedere and the Beautify Tiburon Boulevard
group to seek their support for the project. Councilmember O'Donnell also noted that the sign
at Blackie's Pasture was looking tired and in need of replacement, and that the phone booth
should be removed. Council agreed.
Councilmember Slavitz reported on the County's activities regarding a proposed law to ban
plastic bags and require a $.15 charge for paper bags. He said if the County was not successful
in making this happen that the Town may want to consider supporting a voter initiative to affect
this change in Tiburon.
Manager Curran asked the Council how it felt about creating a ban on wood burning for new
construction. (The issue had come up at a Town Council meeting and Council directed staff to
place the item on the retreat agenda.) Councilmember O'Donnell expressed his feeling that the
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current system with "no-burn" days is sufficient, and that any attempt to ban wood burning
would be very controversial. Councilmember Fredericks said bans on wood burning will be the
norm in the future. Council directed staff to find out how many other communities in the area
currently ban wood burning, clarify the applicability of bans to barbeques and outdoor pits, and
bring back a wood burning ban for new construction for Council consideration.
Town Attorney Danforth gave a report on ethics issues and how best to avoid problems. She
reminded Council and staff of reporting rules for gifts. She also advised the Town Council to be
careful about contact with parties going through approval processes and urged the Council to
avoid making statements that could lead to their having to recuse themselves from a vote.
Councilmember O'Donnell raised the issue of how best to maintain a quorum on boards when a
majority is conflicted out. An example was cited regarding the Tiburon Peninsula Club, which
had an application before the Planning Commission; a majority of members had an association
with the Club and hence a conflict. Manager Curran noted a possible remedy to this occasional
problem may be to allow appointed members of one body, such as the Design Review Board,
temporarily fill vacancies created by conflicts on other bodies, like the Planning Commission.
Attorney Danforth said she would investigate options and report back to the Council.
Councilmember Fredericks raised the idea of having a "Block Party" in the fall at Blackie's
Pasture, inviting everyone to come down with their own picnics. The Town would provide
some refreshments and perhaps a band. A "Day on the Green" at McKegney Green was raised
as a possible alternative concept since Blackie's Pasture is pretty dry and barren by the fall after
the heavy use it gets during summer events. Council supported the concept of a fall community
party of some sort. Councilmember Fredericks urged everyone to "keep it simple".
Councilmember O'Donnell stated he is not satisfied with the Art Festival and believes it can be
improved. He cited a Cape Cod "Brush Off" event at which artists paint on a given day and the
works are auctioned off that same evening. Staff reported that it was too late this year to change
the formula for the festival, which is run by Joint Recreation and been successful in
accomplishing its mission of bringing attention and business to Ark Row, but that new ideas
could be considered for future festivals.
Reports from Staff
Information Technology Coordinator Monterichard provided an update of the Town's transition
to Permit Soft software for planning and building permits, including a visual presentation of
these applications.
Community Development Director Anderson reported on the status of the Recreation Master
Plan process. A Request for Proposals was developed and issued, resulting in two qualified
responses. Unfortunately, both came in substantially over the $50,000 budget, so staff and the
RMP committee will work with the respondents to see if the project can be brought in on
budget.
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Chief of Police Cronin gave a brief crime report which indicated that crime is lower in Tiburon
than Marin County as a whole, which already has a lower crime rate than the rest of California.
In short, despite the recent aberration of a murder, Tiburon remains a very safe place to live and
work.
Mayor Collins asked about subscriptions levels for Tiburon Talk, the Town's e-newsletter.
Manager Curran reported subscribers are up to 2,373, plus over 300 people who receive a print
copy each month in the mail. The Mayor urged everyone to think of additional ways to increase
readership, and suggested the placement of sign-up sheets at the Town Hall and Police
Department counters.
Councilmember Reports
Each Councilmember reported briefly on their respective activities as council appointees on
outside agency boards. Highlights included:
Marin Energy Authority: Mayor Collins reported on recent activities to implement the Marin
Clean Energy community choice aggregation program. He said that despite a significant
amount of urging from PG&E that less than 6% of Phase I customers had opted out; the program
is designed to tolerate about 40% opt outs.
Marin Telecommunications Agency: Councilmember Fraser talked about the great resources to
be found at the Marin Media Center in San Rafael. Public channels 26 and 27 are experiencing
low audience levels, something the Center would like to see increase. Google is looking for
BETA sites for its wireless program for which Barbara Thornton of MTA is putting together a
joint application from Marin cities and towns.
Transportation Authority of Marin: Councilmember Fredericks reported four priorities for
sales tax revenues:
1. bus service
2. 101 gap project
3. infrastructure and roads
4. school access and safety
TAM recently received $2.5 million dollars of stimulus (ARRA) funding; reduced sales tax
numbers have required some dipping into reserves. Tiburon has been very successful in being
awarded TAM grants.
League of California Cities: Councilmember Fredericks stated their goal is advocacy and
education around the issue of local control. Their current concern is protecting local revenues
from state 'borrowing'.
Richardson's Bay Regional Agency: Councilmember O'Donnell reported the meetings are "full
of interesting and high-spirited individuals". Currently they are grappling with mooring field
and removal of anchor-out issues, both of which are big challenges. The BCDC has threatened a
lawsuit over the mooring issue, which affect boats that break off and threaten the coast.
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Local Agency Formation Commission: Councilmember Slavitz reported that things are pretty
quiet right now with LAFCO, but that they will be heating up shortly with recent requirements
for sanitation districts to consider consolidation.
Council Comments
In concluding the meeting, Council generously expressed its support for the staff and the level
of service they provide to the community. Mayor Collins said he was pleased with staff and had
no specific suggestions for improvement although he believes it is always possible.
Councilmember Slavitz said everyone was doing a great job, and that is what makes Tiburon a
great place to live and work. He is sorry the next budget cycle will be a difficult one.
Councilmember Fraser reported his clients always say working with the Town is easy and that
staff is exceptionally helpful. Joan Palmero and Connie Cashman were especially so. He said
budget changes won't be fun, but we will get though it. Councilmember O'Donnell
complimented staff on being so adept at dispute resolution, which he said is challenging and we
do it very professionally. Councilmember Fredericks said she is always at risk of taking staff for
granted because we do our jobs well. Tiburon Talk has been a great addition. Councilmember
Fredericks went on to individually thank each department and many members of staff for their
work. The Mayor concluded by thanking the Town Manager and the whole staff for their work.
Staff thanked the Council for its support and leadership. The Town Manager expressed
gratitude for the Town Council creating the context for the organization to thrive.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. to dinner.
RICHARD COLLINS MAYOR
ATTEST:
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DIANE CRANE IACOPI, TOWN CLERK
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