HomeMy WebLinkAboutTC Min 2004-08-04
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TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Fredericks called the regular meeting of the Tiburon Town Council to order at 7:33 p.rn.
on Wednesday, August 4,2004, in Town Council Chambers, 1505 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon,
California.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
Berger, Fredericks, Gram, Smith
Slavitz
PRESENT:
EX OFFICIO:
Town Manager McIntyre, Town Attorney
Danforth, Director of Community Development
Anderson, Advance Planner Bryant, Director of
Public WorksITown Engineer Echols, Chief of
Police Odetto, Director of Administrative Services
Bigal1, Administrative & Financial Analyst Stott,
Town Clerk Crane Iacopi
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ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW TOWN EMPLOYEE
. Kristin Krasnove, Assistant Planner
Director of Community Development Anderson introduced the newest member of the planning
staff; Kristin Krasnove. Anderson said that Ms. Krasnove had come to the Town by way of a
consulting agency in San Luis Obispo and had also worked for the city of Arroyo Grande, on the
Central Coast. He said that she was a graduate ofUC Berkeley and had gotten her Master's
Degree in Planning at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
The Council also welcomed Ms. Krasnove to the Town. She said that she was happy to be here
and look forward to working in Tiburon.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approval of Town Council Minutes - July 21,2004
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Town Council Minutes # 15-2004
August 4, 2004
Page I
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2. Recommendation by Town Manager - Budget Amendment for MERA Operating
Expenses Fiscal Year 2004-05
MOTION:
Moved:
Vote:
To approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1 and 2, above.
Gram, seconded by Berger
AYES: Unanimous
ABSENT: Slavitz
PUBLIC HEARING
3. Recommendation by Director of Public WorkslTown Engineer - Proposed
Installation of Permanent Restroom Facility at South Knoll Park
Director Echols gave the report. He said that the Town had planned to install a permanent
restroom near South Knoll Park for the past several years which had been approved in concept by
the Council for the FY 2003-04 budget. He said that the permanent restroom would replace the
portable facility located along the Multi-Use path between McKegney Green and the playground
and would be located approximately 10 feet south of the path. He said that the footprint of the
building was 10.7 by 12.7 feet with a maximum roof height of 11 feet.
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Director Echols said that the proposed project had been reviewed by the Parks and Open Space
Conunission, the Design Review Board, as well as the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, all
of whom had expressed support. He said that the Board had received corrunents from residents of
Pine Terrace who favored locating the facility further away from their homes. Echols showed
several photo-simulations of the original location, plus two alternatives, for the Council's review
and comment.
Director Echols said that Staffhad recommended the original site because no grading or retaining
wall would be required, and it was the shortest distance to run a line from the existing sewer. The
second proposal would shift the restroom facility towards the existing playground and the third
site, the one favored by the Pine Terrace neighbors, was 30 feet back from the second site.
Echols estimated that it would cost about $2,500 to extend the sewer line to either site No.2 or
site No.3.
Councilmember Smith commented that the Design Review Board had also discussed different
materials for the building, such as wood shingles.
Director Echols said that a wood ~ade and shingles would add another $2,000 to the cost of the
project. He a1so noted that weather might require replacement of these materials in 10 years. He
stated, however, that there would be plenty of plant screening surrounding the building which
would most likely preclude the need for special materials.
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Town Council Minutes # 15-2004
August 4, 2004
Page 2
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Mayor Fredericks said that she would support the No.3 location because it was less visible from
Pine Terrace and moved the activity away from the homes there.
Councilmember Smith suggested that because the alternate locations would not be as visible from
the Multi-Use Path, perhaps signage could be added to let people know that there was a restroom
facility in the ll1'ea.
Mayor Fredericks opened the public hearing.
Bill Tiedje, 30 Pine Terrace, thanked Director Echols for addressing the neighbors' concerns and
said that the No.3 location was the one fuvored by the neighborhood. He said that there should
be adequate plant screening and asked that the Council ensure, through a condition of approval,
that it would be maintained in the future.
Mayor Fredericks closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Berger agreed that Site No.3 was a preferable location.
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With regard to the design of the proposed facility, Berger said that he would like to see something
"more special" to Tiburon's historic character. He showed Council and the public some black and
white photos of old buildings formerly in or near that location, such as an old dairy barn, a
bunkhouse located at the Trestle, the Hilarita train station, and an old "out house." He said that
the proposed building, while serviceable, was "Forest Service-like."
Councilmember Smith also said he preferred Site No.3, as long as there was on-going
maintenance of the landscaping and the addition ofsignage. He said that he was "design neutral."
Director Echols said that the proposed design matched the existing restroom facility at Blackie's
Pasture and noted that the cost of the prefubricated "kit" was $19,000. He said that alternate
designs could be provided to the Council at the time of approval to see ifthere was any interest at
that time.
Councilmember Gram concurred with moving the proposed facility to the No.3 location for an
additional $2,500, but cautioned against spending the extra money for a special design since there
were no funds as yet appropriated in the current year's budget for the project. In addition, he said
that the Town still faced budget take-aways from the State. In conclusion, Gram recommended
that the Council approve the current design and location for a cost of$40-$42,OOO.
Mayor Fredericks reiterated that she would favored the No.3 location, because it reflected the
desire of the neighborhood, and the existing design.
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Town Council Minutes # 15-2004
August 4, 2004
Page 3
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MOTION:
To approve Site No.3 for the permanent restroom facility at South Knoll Park and
direct Staff to come back with plans for the project including the current design
specifications plus some design alternates for Council's approval.
Gram, seconded by Berger
AYES: Unanimous
ABSENT: Slavitz
Moved:
Vote:
4. Report by Advance Planner - General Plan Update: Goal, Policy and Program
Refinement - Parks & Recreation Element Issues Paper
Advance Planner Bryant said that as part of the General Plan Update process, the Planning
Commission held a meeting on July 14, 2004 to discuss the goal, policy and program suggestions
contained in the Parks & Recreation Element Issues Paper. After receiving input from the public
at that meeting, including from two members of the Parks & Open Space Commission, the
Advance Planner stated that there were three areas in which Staff now sought the Council's
comments and direction:
1) Blackie' s Pasture - whether the area presented in the Issues Paper is the correct area to
designate for "passive recreational use";
2)
Future of Town's Recreational Needs - whether to specify that a Master Plan for
recreational services be developed in collaboration with the City of Belvedere, Jt.
Recreation Department, and others;
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3) Parks Improvement and Maintenance - whether to implement a Planning Commission
recommendation to create a special bndget and funding sources for the above.
Council had the following comments and questions:
Item No. 1:
Gram - What does "undeveloped area" mean with regards to Blackie's PaSture?
Bryant - No irrigation (like McKegney Green); left "as is," no buildings, paved paths, etc.
Gram - If irrigation well is successfu~ possibility of beautifying area?
Berger - Is it appropriate to hold special events there from time to time, such as the Millennium
Bonfire?
Item No.2:
Fredericks - Care must be taken 'in the use of demographics to project future needs.
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Town Council Minutes # 15-2004
August 4, 1004
Page 4
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Bryant - Population changes in the last 1 0 years have been extrapolated; the same information
was also utilized during the hearings chaired by the Skate Park Task Force.
Fredericks - School Districts think ofthese changes as a "bubble" rather than a trend; more
information should be developed.
Mayor Fredericks opened the public hearing.
Karen Carerra, President of Bel veron Homeowner's Association, said she supported the concept
of a long-term Master Plan to develop more recreational opportunities, especially for children,
teens and seniors. She said that there were 72 children in her neighborhood alone.
Ms. Carerra said that the only recreational resources available to fumilies with children were the
Town's parks and the [private] Tiburon Peninsula Club. She said that it would be nice to have a
recreation center, like Mill Valley's, which the Town could be proud of She said that seniors
needed a place to go, as well.
Wrth regard to the use ofBlackie's Pasture, Ms. Carerra said that the area should be maintained
for passive recreational use only, with no development, and occasiona11y for special events such as
the one held in May [40th anniversary of the Town's incorporation],
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Councilmember Smith asked Ms. Carerra where she thought a recreation center could be located.
She replied that a good location would be in the area behind the [Belvedere- Tiburon] library.
Mayor Fredericks said that the proposed hbrary expansion (planned for that location) already
included a community room that would serve the needs of various age groups.
Councilrnember Smith said that he asked the question because of the difficulty of finding a
suitable location in Tiburon. He said that this was an issue that was raised during the Skate Park
Task Force hearings, as well.
Christopher Wand, 5 Burrell Court, President of the Reedlands Homeowner's Association, said
that the use of Black ie's Pasture was an important issue to his group and that they were in favor
of passive use of the area, with little or no development.
With regard to recreational needs, he wondered how the Town would pay for a recreation center,
and where it would be located,
Councilmember Gram stated that in his mind, fund-raising was not an issue but that finding a
suitable location was.
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Town Council Minutes # 15-2004
August 4, 2004
Page 5
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Wayne Snow, 100 Jefferson Drive, thanked Staff for the time spent on the Issues Paper. He
especially acknowledged Advance Planner Bryant for being a "great planner" who had conducted
"good public outreach."
Mr. Snow urged the Council to take a strong position concerning the continued passive use of
Blackie's Pasture. He said that not all areas needed to be groomed or beautified. Snow also
stated that a General Plan with specific language concerning the use ofB1ackie's Pasture could be
utilized by Staff and Town Commissioners now and in the future to show that it was the desire of
the community to leave this defined area in its "natural state."
Bruce Abbott, 458 Greenwood Beach Road, said that it was his personal desire that the area be
preserved for passive use in keeping with the intent of its acquisition, and to keep it from being
diverted to a "specific, singular, or private use."
Vice Mayor Berger asked Mr. Abbott's opinion about special events in the area.
Although Mr, Abbott stated that he did not favor that proximity of a large [bon] fire to the homes
on Greenwood Beach Road, he thought that other occasional special uses, such as community
picnics, would be appropriate.
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Joyce Tayer, resident of the Reed1ands, said that like Mr. Abbott, she was on the "front line" of
[proximity to] Blackie's Pasture. Mrs. Tayer said that B1ackie's Pasture was for use by the whole
of the community and that its open space beauty should be maintained with little or no manicured
landscape. She noted how fust trees in that vicinity grew and noted that she had petitioned the
Town for the removal of some that were in her line of sight. She said that it would be a shame to
have that happen again [as a result of too much landscaping].
Mrs. Tayer also stated that it would be appropriate to designate the passive use of the area in the
General Plan so that she and others did not have to maintain "constant vigilance" over the use
applications that carne before the Town from time to time, and so that the Town could "say no"
to future requests like the proposed skatepark.
Helen Lindqvist, 3 Cazadero Lane, said that she echoed Planning Commissioner Kunzweiler's
remarks to preserve the area for "passive AND recreational" use, noting that a perfect spot for the
skatepark would have been behind the railroad trestle near the road where noise would not be an
issue. She cautioned the Council against "shutting off" future use of that area [for recreational
uses] .
Mrs. Lindqvist also said that she favored more water access and especially an area in which to
launch kayaks and canoes that would be friendly to foot traffic rather than vehicles with trailers.
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Town Council Minutes # 15-2004
August 4, 2004
Page 6
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Priscilla Tripp, member of the Jt. Recreation Committee, agreed with the previous commentary.
She said that the Recreation Committee suffered from a lack of space and that a recreation center
would be great but would take both creative thinking, as well as funding.
Mayor Fredericks asked if there were programs currently not offered by the Recreation
Committee that could "pay their way" (if there were space available)?
Mrs. Tripp cited examples such as gymnastics classes, She also stated that larger classes of
current offerings could be developed if there was space available.
Mayor Fredericks closed the public hearing.
Councilrnember Smith said that he could envision a room full of people favoring the location of a
recreation center at Blackie's Pasture; however, he said that he had heard "loud and clear" from
the community that it wanted to leave the Pasture as is.
Smith also commented on McKegney Green and South Knoll park.
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With regard to the latter, Smith said that he would like to see the unirrigated portion (on the
downhill slope near the Bay) become irrigated and more "user friendly," but he noted that the
uphill portion did not seem to get much use either.
Smith said that the he concurred with the Planning Commission's perception that the entire area,
which included the Multi-use Path all the way to San Rafael Avenue, was "one entity."
Planner Bryant said that he too thought ofthe Richardson Bay lineal Park as one entity, consisting
of 47 total acres, connected by a path, with three or four distinct areas.
Bryant said that when people say, "don't change Blackie's Pasture," they probably have different
ideas about what "Blackie's Pasture" is. He asked for Council's comments on that question.
Councilrnember Smith said that the community wanted Blackie's Pasture to be left "as is;" that he
was unsure about additional irrigation there; and that the occasional special event in that location
was permissible. He also said that in 20 years things might be different.
Smith said that people seemed satisfied with the uses of McKegney Green and South Knoll and
that the Richardson Bay Lineal Park should be left as is. However, he said he would like to see
more irrigation at South Knoll and perhaps some plants along the paths there.
Vice Mayor Berger said that 20 years from now Blackie's Pasture would probably be the only
"undeveloped, untampered with, piece of dirt that will remain" of the way Tiburon once looked.
He said that it should retain its "rough and ready, shoreline look." He said that he heard this over
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Town Council Minutes # 15-2004
August 4, 2004
Page 7
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and over again from people and that it would do a "great service for the spirit and heart of
Tiburon" to keep it this way.
Vice Mayor Berger said that irrigation in that area would be "tricky;" that it was heavily used, all
the time, and that its "naturalistic look" should be maintained, along with its passive use.
Councilmember Gram said that Blackie's Pasture should be maintained for passive, informal
recreational use. He said that there should not be a lawn but that perhaps the area around the
Pasture could be enhanced with some sort of landscaping, He said that he thought it just did not
look that attractive as one drove into Town.
Gram said that even though there was not a lot of demand for use of the South Knoll area now,
there might be in future, so that some fleXIbility over its use should be preserved.
Vice Mayor Berger concurred with this sentiment.
Mayor Fredericks said that the Town had considered safety improvements to Tiburon Boulevard
in the vicinity of Trestle Glen and suggested that a policy be flexible enough to accommodate a
possible relocation of the entrance to Blackie's Pasture in the future.
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She said that Blackie's Pasture had the "look of the hills and open space" so that care should be
taken with any irrigation. She concurred that the unirrigated portion of South Knoll Park could
be made more useable for passive, recreational use, but she also noted that its "fantastic view"
should not be obstructed with bushes or structures.
Mayor Fredericks asked for more Council comments on the idea of a Master Plan for recreation.
Councilmember Smith commented that a perfect spot for a recreation center was the Reed School
site and that if that area ever become available, the Town should try to acquire it. He also said
that the most "interesting" site in his mind was the vacant property adjacent to (and owned by) the
Tiburon Peninsula Club.
The Councilmember agreed with the Mayor's caution on the use of demographics and stated that
he was a proponent of a recreation center after the "demise" of the skatepark idea.
Smith said that a "piecemeal" approach to the Town's recreational needs might be an interim
solution and could be addressed through programs and facilities at the library and schools,
including St. Hilary and Kol Show, because that the Town had yet to find one suitable location.
Vice Mayor Berger agreed with the "piecemeal approach." He also mentioned the former Sloat'
Garden Center as an interesting location for a recreation center.
Mayor Fredericks asked for comments on the idea of a budgeted plan for recreational needs.
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Town Council Minutes # 15-2004
August 4, 2004
Page 8
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Councilmember Gram said he agreed with Staff's recommendation that the General Plan be
"general," not specific, in nature. He said that a Master Plan was for specifics and favored the
idea.
Gram said that one day a specific site would become available for a recreation center, but that
currently one did not exist.
Mayor Fredericks said that she supported the study of specific recreation needs and a budget for
the Master Plan process which would "maximize" community input while allowing the General
Plan to address the broader concepts.
Councilmember Smith added that he too favored launch areas for kayaks and canoes, but that
they should be located closer to the downtown area.
Vice Mayor Berger added that there was a need for an additional restroom facility on the
waterfront near the Caprice Restaurant.
That concluded the discussion of the Issues Paper.
REGULAR AGENDA
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5, Recommendation by Director of Community Development and Director of Pnblic
WorkslTown Engineer - Revisions to Landslide Mitigation Policy
a) A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town ofTiburon
Adopting a Revised Landslide Mitigation Policy
Director Anderson said that the landslides and unstable soils were common on the Tiburon
Peninsula due to its history and topography. For decades, the Town maintained an informal
policy regarding the repair of landslides which was formalized in 2000, according to Anderson.
He said that as the "artlscience" of geotechnical engineering over the last few decades, Staff
recommended that the Town's landslide policy be revised to reflect the increased sophistication of
analysis and variety of mitigation features, which he spelled out in the proposed update to the
policy. .
Anderson said that the Town's current landslide repair policy focused on the "full repair and
elimination" of nearly all landslides, but he noted that the Town's preferred option when dealing
with potential landslides was one of avoidance, and this was addressed in the Town's General
Plan. When avoidance is neither feasible nor appropriate, the new policy establishes the
framework in which excavation or reconstruction might take place through the establishment of
different risk "levels."
Councilmember Smith asked for clearer definitions of the risk levels.
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Tuwn Council Minutes # 15-2004
August 4, 2004
Page 9
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Councilmember Smith also asked whether the policy was broad enough to apply to re-model
projects and was told by Director Anderson that it was. Councilmember Gram added that he was
required to take mitigation measures on his [home] project in 1978.
Councilmember Gram asked if the Town could only take action under the policy ifa
[development] application was on file.
Anderson stated that the only time the Town could require mitigation was on private property.
Gram also asked whether any other cities or towns had similar policies. Anderson replied that the
proposed policy was similar to one adopted by the City of San Rafael.
Mayor Fredericks asked under what circumstances would the policy prevent the repair of a
landslide in order to avoid loss of natural resources.
Director Anderson said that implementation of the policy might not be that severe but that it
might be that the solution lay in a different design, or a requirement to fix the landslide in order to
protect other areas, such as a ridgeline or endangered species habitat.
Mayor Fredericks opened the public hearing.
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Helen Lindqvist, 3 Cazadero Lane, asked how the Town would deal with potential slides outside
of its jurisdiction, such as the Easton Point property in order to protect Tiburon residents who
lived down slope from the project.
Director Anderson said that the Town would have numerous opportunities throughout the
development process [due to CEQA regulations] to comment and have input with the County's
Planning Department.
Mayor Fredericks asked how the Lyford's CovelOld Tiburon Homeowner's Association could
received notice of County hearings on this and other projects. Anderson said that the Association
could be included on the County's "club list" for this project if they asked for it.
Mayor Fredericks closed the public hearing.
Director Anderson said that the Town's soils consultant had submitted a letter commenting on the
proposed policy but was out of Town for the meeting, He said that Staffhad also received
comments from the public and he recommended that the Council continue the hearing in order to
allow Staff and Council to further review these items.
Council continued the matter.
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Town Council Minutes # 15-2004
August 4, 2004
Page 10
/"""" COUNCIL. COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION REPORTS
Vice Mayor Berger reported that he and Mayor Fredericks had attended an Executive Forum in
Monterey, sponsored by the League of California Cities, and that the Town was "covered" in
comparison with some other smal1 cities/towns with regard to the State budget crisis. He
acknowledged the work of Council and Staff in this regard.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Town Council Weekly Digest - July 23,2004
Town Council Weekly Digest - July 30, 2004
The Town Manager pointed out articles concerning:
--State Budget (the anticipated receipt ofVLF monies)
--NY Times article regarding MERA
--September 15 date for Lyford Cove Undergrounding Assessment District hearing
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ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Town Council of the Town of Tiburon, Mayor
Fredericks adjourned the meeting at 9: 15 p.rn., to the next regular meeting scheduled for
Wednesday, August 18,2004.
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ALICE FREDERICKS, MAYOR
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DIANE CRANE ACOPI, TOWN CLERK
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Town Council Minutes # 15-2004
August 4, 2004
Page 11