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Home My WebLink AboutTC Digest 2012-03-09TOWN COUNCIL WEEKLY DIGEST Week of March 5 - 91 2012 Tiburon 1. Memo - Peggy Curran - March 2, 2012 Retreat Summary 2. Email - Harvey Rogers - February Progress Report - Blackie's Garden 3. Yearly Recap - Design Review Submittals - February 2012 4. Monthly Report - Office of Design Review - February 2012 Agendas &Minutes 5. Agenda - Planning Commission - March 14, 2012 6. Agenda - Design Review Board - March 15, 2012 Regional o- a) Letter & Invitation - Margie Burke Speech Tournament - April 28, 2012 * b) Letter - Citizens' Oversight Committee - Fiscal Yr 2010-11 Annual Report c) Invitation - Cal Debt & Investment Advisory Commission Seminar - Municipal Market Disclosure - May 3, 2012 * d) Invitation- LCC 2012 Legislative Action Days - April 25 - 26, 2012 e) Newsletter - Open Doors - Fair Housing of Marin - Spring 2012 * f) Invitation to Complete Survey - National Park Service - Dog Management Plan g) Invitation - Rail-Volution 2012 - October 14 - 17, 2012 h) Estuary News - February 2012 i) Western City - March 2012 * j) Town of Corte Madera - Revised Town Contacts and Numbers k) Comcast California - January 2012 Agendas & Minutes 1) None * Council Only DIGEST--~q__ TOWN OF TIBURON 1505 Tiburon Boulevard Tiburon, CA 94920 MEMORANDUM Date: March 8, 2012 To: Mayor and Town Council r From: Peggy Curran, Town Manager Subject: March 2, 2012 Retreat Summary Hello, Town Council: A summary of the March 2, 2012 Council-Staff retreat is attached. It will be placed on the consent calendar of the March 21 Town Council meeting. Please let me know if you have any corrections. Thank you, Peggy Pao" TOWN OF TIBURON 1505 Tiburon Boulevard Tiburon, CA 94920 Date: March 8, 2012 To: Mayor and Town Council Q~,L~ From: Peggy Curran, Town Manager Subject: Summary of March 2, 2012 Council-Staff Retreat On the morning of March 2, 2012, the Town Council and staff met for a retreat at The Lodge in Tiburon to review progress on current objectives, discuss the state of the Town's budget reserves and provide direction for the upcoming fiscal year. Staff present were the Town Manager, Town Attorney, Director of Public Works, Police Chief and Captain, Community Development Director and Planning Manager, Director of Administrative Services, Town Clerk and IT Coordinator. No members of the public attended. The agenda is attached to this memorandum (Exhibit A). Mayor Fraser kicked off the day with introductory remarks and a review of the agenda. He described the retreat as a special opportunity for the Council and staff to communicate and encouraged all present to speak up and join in the conversation. Manager Curran briefly reviewed completed projects (Exhibit B) since the last retreat. Review of Reserves Administrative Services Director Heidi Bigall led a review of the budget reserves, walking the group through each category of reserves and its purpose. Director Bigall distribjated a copy of her Powerpoint presentation, which described reserves and charted their history. There was a discussion of whether the Town's 25% minimum "rainy day" fund was adequate; there was no consensus for change but some sentiment expressed that perhaps it should be higher. The Powerpoint presentation included comparative minimum reserves in other Marin cities. Only Belvedere has a higher reserve at 50%. Some other Marin cities have 25%, some less, and some are under-funded despite a "minimum" policy being in place. The Government Finance Officers Association recommends a minimum of 15% reserve. It was noted that historically the Town was able to grow reserves with operating budget surpluses, sometimes by as much as $1,000,000 each year, but that this had not been the case since the 2008 economic downturn. Five Year Capital Planning Projections Public Works Director Nick Nguyen walked the group through the capital budget projected out over a five year period. It includes two previously budgeted large items, Ned's Way and the Lyford Parking Lot, and otherwise is dominated by infrastructure activities, with the goal of maintaining the Town's Pavement Condition Index above 70 and following through on the drainage master plan's recommendations. The Council discussed possible additional projects including round-abouts at Beach Road and Mar West, partial funding of a median improvement project, a community center (although the parameters of such a hypothetical project remained undefined), anticipating some capital needs for follow-through on downtown recommendations, a the need for eventual repair or replacement of the Corporation Yard. All Councilmembers except Fredericks (who has already done this) requested staff set up an opportunity for them to walk through the Corp Yard sometime soon. Vice Mayor O'Donnell thought a McKegney Green overhaul might be appropriate as the field, despite its beauty, is in poor condition for soccer playing. He also requested that undergrounding utilities along Blackie's Pasture be on the Town's longer-term capital improvement list. There appeared to be consensus for the Town to be a partial funder of the median improvement project (which would need to return to the Town Council with specifics), although some thought it not a high priority and that future maintenance costs needed to be taken into consideration. There was also general agreement that some Tiburon Boulevard capacity improvements from the Town's Circulation Element should be considered for inclusion on the five-year capital improvement list. Everyone agreed Mar West is the "gateway" to downtown; Councilmember Doyle identified it as an appropriate site for a welcome sign. This engendered a discussion on signage in general. Manager Curran noted there is funding for peninsula-wide way-finding signage in this year's budget, but it is awaiting the outcome of the Marketing and Communications Task Force's efforts to make sure it is consistent with that direction. Everyone seemed to feel it should be easier and clearer for cyclists to find their way from Hwy 101 to downtown Tiburon and to use and stay on the Multi-Use Path when in Town. Chief Mike Cronin and Director Nguyen agreed to pursue some short-term signs at Blackie's Pasture (onto the MUP), Greenwood Beach Road and near the Seminary exit off 101. Councilmember Fredericks cautioned that beautification projects are great but the Town should not lose sight of the important purpose of serving community needs, especially those of our growing senior population, including transportation needs, perhaps through a summit on the topic with interested parties. Mayor Fraser commented that a community center is a "dream", perhaps, but no one wants to remove it from the list of future possible projects. Councilpember Collins asked if affordable housing was being taken into consideration; the staff noted that it was not on the capital list due to its unique funding sources. All appeared to agree the Town should continue to seek affordable housing opportunities. Manager Curran pointed out that capital planning will come more sharply into focus in the upcoming months as Council will have determined whether it is proceeding with Ned's Way and the Lyford Parking Lot and may have identified specific downtown projects by that time. Council agreed it would like to have another capital budget session later in the calendar year, perhaps at a mini-retreat or as part of a regular Council meeting. Review of Pending Projects Manager Curran reviewed a list of upcoming projects (Exhibit C) that are above and beyond staff's daily duties with permits, public safety, parks and street maintenance and so forth. In addition to the capital projects (and objectives, like finding appropriate housing sites) mentioned above, Councilmember Fredericks asked that the creation of a community garden be on the Town's list; she suggested interested parties work with the Parks, Open Space and Trails Commission (POST) to determine if there are any appropriate sites available and, if so, how such a garden might function. There was also a brief discussion regarding newsrack standards; the consensus of the Council was for staff to proceed with the development of standards and bring the item to the Council once drafted. The group broke for a social lunch in the restaurant at 12:15 p.m., and reconvened at about 1:15 p.m. Website Overhaul Mayor Fraser introduced this item, explaining that delay in implementation was due to awaiting the outcome of the Marketing and Communications Task Force. He expressed his enthusiasm for the work IT Coordinator Chad Monterichard has done to bring a whole new look and feel to the website in a manner that would work for visitors and residents. Coordinator Monterichard took the group through a presentation of the website, noting how it is navigated and designed to drive Google traffic to the site. It was suggested that the profiles for Councilmembers include their board and committee assignments. Councilmember Fredericks asked that research on the muni code be made easier, and asked if staff reports could be accessible individually rather than lumped together as one PDF scanned file. It was asked whether it might be possible to click on an agenda item and directly link to the staff report. Everyone expressed enthusiasm for the potential of the new website both as a tool for residents and potential visitors. Caltrans Relinquishment Manager Curran and Director Nguyen walked the group through a possible scenario in which the Town would take ownership of the stretch of Tiburon Boulevard (Caltrans Right-of-Way) from Lyford Drive to Paradise Drive. They described that doing so would allow the Town to control all changes within the ROW and not have to seek Caltrans approval and encroachment permits for every modification small or large. The Lyford Parking Lot was offered as an example that has taken a great deal of staff time to negotiate. Ownership would mean the Town would gain land use control, but also incur costs of maintenance such as periodic paving, storm drain maintenance (which Caltrans does not currently do) and so forth. Staff noted the process can take about eighteen months as it is managed by Caltrans and requires legislation to amend the Highway Code. Council asked that this item be brought back to the Town Council with a full analysis of all implications including ADA compliance, liability, flood consideration, and future costs as well as benefits ownership might confer. They also asked staff to determine the "point of no return" in the lengthy relinquishment process were the Town to commence it with a letter of intention to get the process started. Business License Tax Director Bigall went through a Powerpoint presentation on the Town's business license tax detailing receipts, comparative rates with other municipalities and so forth. Vice Mayor O'Donnell said his concern was solely about home-based businesses and whether it was reasonable for the Town to have what amounted to an "income tax" on them. Staff noted the tax exists for the purpose of raising general revenue, with those earning more paying more. Vice Mayor O'Donnell characterized the Town's tax as an "old school model" that does not adequately reflect the changing nature of business in our technological age. Councilmember Fredericks opined it is precisely because of the trend toward more home-based internet businesses that the Town should not compromise its ability to tax this business activity. Attorney Danforth pointed out the Town is able to reduce this tax, but would not be able to re-raise it in the future without a two-thirds vote of the electorate. Vice Mayor O'Donnell requested that the item return to Council for further consideration. With Councilmember Collins noting he did not necessarily agree with Vice Mayor O'Donnell but wanted him to have the opportunity to make his case, the straw poll resulted in 3-2 support (Fredericks and Fraser disagreeing) to bring the item back for further review. Downtown Vibrancy Report Mayor Fraser summarized the work of the Ad Hoc Downtown Committee (Vice Mayor Fraser and Councilmember Collins) to date, noting that a report was issued after extensive public outreach and its recommendations are being pursued. He described his and Councilmember Collins' enthusiasm and appreciation for the work of the Marketing and Communications Task Force, and that their work should be coming to a conclusion in the next few months. Councilmember Collins described how the M&C Task Force was trying to create a brand expression that captures how one feels when in Tiburon. It was noted the website will be the main tool for marketing outreach. Manager Curran said the preparation of a Circulation and Parking Study, another recommendation of last year's report, is underway and should be completed and its findings reported to the Town Council soon. Report on Regional Authorities Mayor Fraser asked if the Councilmembers wished to offer any updates. Vice Mayor O'Donnell said the Richardson's Bay Regional Agency (RBRA) was struggling with the issue of trying to establish a mooring field and also remove unoccupied "anchor outs", which damage sensitive eel grass and potentially pollute the bay. He said new Supervisor Sears was very engaged in these activities. Councilmember Collins updated the group on the activities of Marin Energy Authority (MEA) noting they now have 15,000 customers, and will soon add 85,000 more. All j,4risdictions in Marin are on board, and the power MEA is offering is now 50% renewable, which is higher than originally estimated. Councilmember Fredericks said the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) is willing to come to individual cities and town to explain its Sustainable Communities Strategy. She also noted the Golden Gate Bridge 75th anniversary celebration is coming up and that guided tours of the GG National Recreation Area will be provided. Mayor Fraser reported that the Marin Telecommunications Agency (MTA) had threatened Comcast with a lawsuit over franchise fees and that the parties were now in discussion. Council Comments In concluding the meeting, Council generously expressed its support for the staff and the level of service they provide to the community. Councilmember Fredericks complimented the front counter staff and said they do a great job; she was also complimentary of her colleagues Fraser and Collins in their downtown efforts. Vice Mayor O'Donnell said staff does a great job in dealing with the public, especially the planning staff, noting they "keep a cool head" even when conditions are trying. Councilmember Collins said Town Hall is all is a model of civility, a sentiment seconded by Councilmember Fredericks. Planning Manager Watrous thought it a great reflection on the Town that the Council was able to vote unanimously to support the major Alta Robles project in the end even though there were differences of opinion about many of the particulars. Mayor Fraser complimented staff on how it helps boards, commissions and the Council in coming around to clarity at the end of a long deliberation. 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, and particularly thanked them-for the generosity with their time in serving on committees and always being available to staff. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m. JIM FRASER, MAYOR ATTEST: DIANE CRANE IACOPI, TOWN CLERK .w TOWN OF TIBURON 64 ` TO COUNCIL - STAFF RETREAT ' • Special Town Council Meeting The Lodge at Tiburon. Chart Room ■ 1651. Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon CA 94920 March 2, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (with lunch break) AGENDA A.il times on agenda, and order of items on agenda, are approximate and subject to change. 8:30 Coffee and continental breakfast 9:40 CALL TO ORDER AND' ROLL CALL 9:00 Oral Communications Mayor Fraser 9:05 Introduction, Review of Agenda and Time Allocations Mayor Fraser 9:15 Overview of Prior Year, Completed Projects Town Manager 9:30 Review of Reserves Admin. Services Dir. • Presentation of reserves in budget, reserve policy Town Manager 9:50 Short Break 10:00 Five-Year Capital Planning Exercise Town Council • Prioritization of capital items over a five-year horizon Staff 11:00 Review of Pending Projects and Goal and Priority Setting Town Manager • What does the Council wish to accomplish (or commence, if multi- Town Council year goal) over the next year? Staff 12:00 RECESS FOR LUNCH 1:00 Review of New Website Structure IT Coordinator 1:30 Caltrans "Relinquishment" of Tiburon Boulevard from Public Works Director Lyord Drive (or Mar West Street) to Paradise Drive Town Manager • Advantages and costs 2:00 Business License Taxes Admin. Services Dir. • Review of current tax structure, regional comparison Plannog Manager 2:20 Update on Downtown Vibrancy Project Mayor Fraser • Brief overview of process to date Councilmember Collins 2:30 Reports on Regional Board Assignments Town Council 2:50 Short Break 3:00 How Are We Doing? Town Council • What is going well? • What could we be doing better? 3:30 Blackie's Pasture j McKegney Green (time permitting) Town Clerk • Do we need a use policy for events? Send to POST? Police Captain 3:40 Fire Sprinkler Policy (time permitting) Town Attorney • Does the Town wish to alter the requirements for remodels? Building Official 3:50 News Rack Ordinance (time permitting) Comm. Dev. Director • Does the Town wish to regulate news racks? 4:00 ADJOURN Town of Tiburon Town-Council Retreat March 2, 2012 Projects completed since last retreat: • Smoking Ordinance adopted Pavement Condition Index (PCI) at 73 (met goal of 68) • Bid, awarded and launched Del Mar undergrounding • Pension side funds paid off • Housing Element Update adopted • Recreation Needs Assessment completed • Mill Valley Refuse Contract approved, new franchise fee on debris boxes • Blackie's Pasture restrooms installed • Final design and bidding of Ned's Way project (awaiting Council decision) • Final design of Lyford Parking Lot (awaiting Council decision to go out to bid) • Trestle Glen repaving completed • Extensive downtown vibrancy community workshops conducted • Downtown report with recommendations issued • Resolved Lowenberg case • Agreement with Housing Authority to protect RDA housing funds • Library Expansion - zoning and environmental work completed • Alta Robles Precise Development Plan adopted • Trestle Glen Circle - Precise Development Plan adopted • Building Code Appeals Board created • Climate Action Plan adapted • New signage at Blackie's Pasture and The Cove installed ~ z Town of Tiburon Town-Council Retreat March 2, 201.2 Special Projects for the Coming Year (through spring of 2013) (Ongoing and possible new projects) Downtown • Downtown Circulation and Parking Study recommendations and implementation • Downtown Marketing and Communications Task Force recommendations and implementation • Information Station fabrication and installation • Downtown Restroom improvements • Caltrans relinquishment process (pending Council direction) Capital Projects • Complete Town's portion of Del Mar undergrounding project « Build Ned's Way project (pending Council decision) Bid and build Lyford Parking Lot (pending Council decision) • Tiburon Boulevard median improvements - create joint approach with Belvedere, peninsula foundations, median committee for funding; build if funding materializes (pending Council decision) • Replace Blackie's Pasture railings Upgrade landscaping along Blackie's Pasture frontage • Design and complete ADA improvements to Town Hall • Design, fabricate and install peninsula way-finding signage Policies, Plans, Ordinances, Other : Angel Island fire protection contract (yes, we have a draft from Cal Fire!) • Martha development (county expected to act in late 2013) Newsrack ordinance (pending Council direction) Resolution of trail connection on Hacienda • Construction and demolition ordinance • Zoning ordinance amendments on multiple topics • Launch new website, develop web content (organization-wide goal) • Sprinkler-related building code amendment (pending Council direction) • Labor negotiations Page 1 of 1 Peggy Curran DIGEST~/L From: Harvey Rogers [harvnan2@sprynet.com] Sent: Thursday, March 01, 2012 3:57 PM To: 'Arlene Nielsen'; 'Jill Einstein'; 'George Rodericks'; Peggy Curran Cc: 'Carolyn Scarola' Subject: FEBRUARY PROGRESS REPORT AT BLACKIE'S GARDEN - FROM HARVEY ROGERS Hi Arlene, Jill George Peggy & Carolyn, BLACKIE'S GARDEN PROGRESS REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2012 In February we had 4 volunteer pruning sessions. In addition to pruning we purchased plants & transplanted others. Among the new plants we installed were 14 Dwarf Calla tubers called "flame" These will get to almost 2 inches high & bloom in a combination of yellow, red and orange on the same bloom. They bloom in the spring for about 3 months & will make a great display. They are not invasive like the tall white kind are. We re-planted Euphorbia "Deans Hybrid" - bright yellow plants in the front border.. There were 4 that had died prematurely but got new replacements free from the nursery. Next week we have scheduled 3 pruning sessions & will have a total of 15 volunteers counting Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday. Then in late March we will schedule one more pruning event. Last year we did all the pruning with volunteer work & it looks like we will do it again this year. With so much dry weather we watered using watering cans - filled from home to keep the new plants alive. This is because our automatic irrigation is turned off this time of year. 3/1/2012 O v 1- N N N N O ti M N O 1- cv Q T 1- N M N O U') M V co N ~ w O Z- N T Q C-) N O t Cl) Q w D a l C ) J W D w w Li. Z Z C W 0 < a Q w ~ Q J 'Q w m r W LL N O r N O et M M C4 O N m w LL N O N N N r- O h Q r O Co M N r N N w N w Z Q O a F- Q 0 z L co F- a 0 N Cl) F- w w w 1- N O Q Q F. CL V w Q LL w > u N w a Q 11 Q a i--11 RIGEST TOWN OF TIBURON OFFICE OF DESIGN REVIEW MONTHLY REPORT FEBRUARY 2012 DESIGN REVIEW BOARD APPLICATIONS: ■ NEW SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES ■ MAJOR ADDITIONS/ALTERATIONS ■ MINOR ADDITIONS/ALTERATIONS ■ (not eligible for Staff Review) ■ SIGN PERMITS ■ TREE PERMITS ■ VARIANCE REQUESTS ■ FAR EXCEPTIONS REQUESTS ■ EXTENSION OF TIME STAFF REVIEW APPLICATIONS: NUMBER SUBMITTED Review of minor exterior alterations and additions of less than 500 square feet. 2 1 0 1 2 2 2 0 7 APPEALS OF DESIGN REVIEW BOARD DECISIONS TO TOWN COUNCIL 2011 1 0 1 0 1 1 2 0 8 REPORT PREPARED BY: Connie Cashman, Planning Secretary DATE OF REPORT: March 6, 2012 TOWN OF TIBURON Tiburon Town Hall 1505 Tiburon Boulevard Tiburon, CA 94920 AGENDA Regular Meeting Tiburon Planning Commission March 14, 2012- 7:30 PM TIBURON PLANNING COMMISSION CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chairman Corcoran, Vice Chair Tollini, Commissioner Kunzweiler, Commissioner Weller, Commissioner Welner ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Persons wishing to address the Planning Commission on any subject not on the agenda may do so under this portion of the agenda. Please note that the Planning Commission is not able to undertake extended discussion, or take action on, items that do not appear on this agenda. Matters requiring action will be referred to Town Staff for consideration and/or placed on a future Planning Commission agenda. Please limit your comments to no more than three (3) minutes. Testimony regarding matters not on the agenda will not be considered part of the administrative record. COMMISSION AND STAFF BRIEFING Commission and Committee Reports Director's Report PUBLIC HEARING a 1. 155 ROCK HILL DRIVE: CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO LEGALIZE AND ESTABLISH AN AGRICULTURAL USE TO KEEP FOWL (CHICKENS/PIGEONS) WITHIN A SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL OPEN (RO-2) ZONED PARCEL; FILE #11202; Julie and David Flaherty, Owners and Applicants; Assessor Parcel No. 039- 152-03 [LT] CONTINUED TO MARCH 28, 2012 NEW BUSINESS 2. CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION TO TOWN COUNCIL TO ACCEPT THE ANNUAL GENERAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION STATUS REPORT FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2011 [SA] Tiburon Planning Commission Agenda March 14, 2012 Page 1 MINUTES 1. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES -Regular Meeting of February 22, 2012 ADJOURNMENT Future Agenda Items 155 Rock Hill Drive: CUP to keep fowl (March 28) Zoning Text Amendments (TBD) a021412 Tiburon Planning Commission Agenda March 14, 2012 Page 2 TOWN OF TIBURON Tiburon Town Hall 1505 Tiburon Boulevard Tiburon, CA 94920 AGENDA TIBURON DESIGN REVIEW BOARD CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Regular Meeting Design Review Board March 15, 2012 7:00 P.M. Chairman Kricensky, Vice Chair Emberson, Boardmembers Chong, Johnson and Tollini ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Persons wishing to address the Design Review Board on any subject not on the agenda may do so under this portion of the agenda. Please note that the Design Review Board is not able to undertake extended discussion, or take action on, items that do not appear on this agenda. Matters requiring action will be referred to Town Staff for consideration and/or placed on a future Design Review Board agenda. Please limit your comments to no more than three (3) minutes. Any communications regarding an item not on the agenda will not be considered part of the administrative record for that item. STAFF BRIEFING (if any) PUBLIC HEARINGS AND NEW BUSINESS 1. 92 MT. TIBURON COURT: File No. 21201; Afsaneh Royo, Owner; Site Plan and Architectural Review for construction of a new single-family dwelling,-with a Variance for excess building height. The applicants propose to demolish more than 50% of an existing three-story dwelling and construct a new dwelling. The new dwelling would result in a total floor area of 6,689 square feet, with a 603 square foot garage. The house would have a maximum height of 39 feet in lieu of the maximum 30 foot height limit permitted in the RO-1 zone. Assessor's Parcel No. 058-261-02. [DW] MINUTES 2. Regular Meeting of February 16, 2012 ADJOURNMENT Design Review Board Agenda March 15, 2012 Page 1