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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTC Minutes 2012-03-02TOWN OF TIBURON 1505 Tiburon Boulevard Tiburon, CA 94920 Date: March 8, 2012 To: Mayor and Town Council 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 distributed 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. CouncilTember 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 encroaclunent 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 stated 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 jurisdictions 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 ABAG's Sustainable Communities Strategy. She also noted the Golden Gate Bridge 75 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 4 . 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. ATTES iDIANE CRAN IACOPI, TOWN CLERK