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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTC Min 1996-10-02 - ,.-.. TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Mayor Wolf called the regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Tiburon to order at 7:39 P.M. on Wednesday, October 2, 1996, in Council Chambers, 1101 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon, California. A. ROLL CALL PRESENT: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: COUNCILMEMBERS: EX OFFICIO: Ginalski, Hennessy, Thayer, Thompson, Wolf None Town Attorney Danforth, Chief of Police Herley, Planning Director Anderson, Finance Director Stranzl, Town Engineer Mohammadi, Town Clerk Crane B. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ACTION (IT any) Mayor Wolf announced that the Morales v. Town of Tiburon lawsuit had been settled for $20,000, and that no action was taken on the other item discussed [Innisfree Companies v. Town of Tiburon.] - C. PUBLIC OUESTIONS AND COMMENTS None. D. APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS. COMMISSION & COMMITTEES 1. Finance Advisory Committee - Formally establish Committee/Approve Goals & Structure. Councilmember Ginalski asked to move the item to allow comments on the Budget Review Process (Item No.4) first. Mayor Wolf said Item No. I concerned only technical aspects of the Town's budget and did not pertain to operations. Councilmembers Thompson and Thayer concurred that they were two separate issues but agreed to hear the item after NO.4. F. CONSENT CALENDAR 2. Quarterly Update on FY 1996-97 Budget Adjustments - (Resolution). 3. Acceptance of Grant Deed - 11 Marsh Road - (Resolution). MOTION: Moved: Vote: To Adopt Consent Calendar Hennessy, Seconded by Ginalski AYES: Unanimous G. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 4. Budget Review Process - Direct Town Manager & Department Heads to Study Department r- TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES #1098 OCTOBER 2. 1996 r-- Operating Budgets for Cost Savings. Mayor Wolf said the committee previously appointed to study consolidation of police services had been disbanded, and that Town Staff would come back to Council with a report about how to further save money in the Spring, prior to the adoption of the next fiscal year budget. Councilmember Ginalski suggested that it be specifically set forth that "we are not interested in consolidating our police force with the County" in order to put the issue to rest. During public hearing, Bill McKee, Point Tiburon, asked whether only the Department Heads and Town Manager would be studying cost saving measures [rather than a committee]. Mayor Wolf answered affirmatively. Hearing returned to Council. Vice Mayor Thayer said he was tired of the controversy [concerning the police issue] and said it was "absolutely manufactured and pulled out of thin air." Thayer stated that the Town should be able to study anything it wanted because that was "what we ordinarily do anyway." He said the only reason the item was on the agenda was because the Council had voted to continue the matter to a later date. -- Councilmember Thompson said the proposed police study was the Town [Council]'s attempt to see how to make the tax:payer's dollars go further. Councilmember Hennessy said she was the one who made the original motion to disband the committee (charged with looking into consolidation with the Marin County Sheriff's Department). She said the Town should look into possible cost savings and mergers with any department. Hennessy said she had also suggested the possibility of sharing a detective with Belvedere. Mayor Wolf said the only reason the item was on the agenda was because the original motion said it would be reconsidered on October 2. She confirmed that it was Town Staff's job to study cost- saving ideas. Mayor Wolf returned to Item No. I--Finance Advisory Committee. Mayor Wolf said she and two Tiburon residents, Tom Leahy and Howard Robin, had met with Town Manager Kleinert to discuss ways to present the Town's budget so that it was a more workable document. Wolf said both Leahy and Robin had worked for or currently worked for Arthur Anderson and had many years of experience with financial statements. Vice Mayor Thayer said he understood the committee would create a new budget format which the Town Staff would utilize. Finance Director Stranzl said that the current fiscal year budget format would not change but that a new format could be used the following year. .--. TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES #1098 OCTOBER 2. 19% 2 ,.- Charlie Higgins, residing off of Lyford Drive, said he had not spoken earlier during public comment because the people in the audience did not understand what was going on with the police study. He stated that the process was very disconcerting. Mayor Wolf said the Committee was disbanded on August 7. Vice Mayor Thayer said "there will be no [police] study." Higgins withdrew his comments. MOTION: Moved: To Appoint Leahy and Robbins to the Finance Advisory Committee Wolf, seconded by Thayer Councilmember Ginalski asked why there had been no interview process and said he wanted to ensure that active citizens were on the committee and could have their concerns addressed. He also questioned the meaning of the secondary goal of the committee of "periodic review and recommendations of budget process and policies." Vice Mayor Thayer said the idea [of the Finance Advisory Committee] had been Mayor Wolfs goal for over a year, and the purpose of the committee was to focus on a specific kind of information, for example, flow charts. Thayer said it was important to have people on the committee who had a particular kind of expertise but stated he would be happy to interview other candidates if they had this expertise. - Mayor Wolf reiterated that it was a technical committee which would look into how to state information on the budget. Councilmember Hennessy said it would not be another "FORC" [Financial Oversight & Review Committee]. Finance Director Stranzl said instead of a budget format the Town would develop more of a "Town Financial Report" which would explain what was going on with the Town's resources. Mayor Wolf called a vote on the Motion: AYES: NOES: Hennessy,Thompson, Thayer, Wolf Ginalski 5. Downtown Ferry Dock Realignment - Review Town Engineer's Conceptual Plan. Town Engineer Mohammadi presented three drawings which were alternatives to the plans presented at previous hearings (in 1995). Drawing No. I reduced the size of the dock but still encroached on Town property; Drawing NO.2 changed the point of access and moved it closer to Tutto Mare restaurant; Drawing No.3 would move the dock entirely onto a parcel owned by - TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES #1098 OCTOBER 2, 1996 3 ;-.. Zelinsky/Abrams with a 60' clearance from the Angel Island dock. Mohammadi said the latter alternative would have the least view impact for Point Tiburon residents. Mohammadi said if Council approved his continued work on the project, the next step would be to meet with the Pt. Tiburon Property Owners' Association and Zelinsky to explore the options and develop more information. Mayor Wolf said the 60' clearance was the minimum clearance needed between the proposed dock and Angel Island Ferry dock. In response to a question from Vice Mayor Thayer, Town Engineer Mohammadi said the Angel Island Ferry dock was over 100' in length and that the proposed dock would be a little shorter than that. In response to a question from Councilmember Hennessy, Mohammadi said the proposed barge [dock] fenders were no more than 7' off the water and the barge itself would be no higher than 3' off the water. Councilmember Ginalski asked if there were docking rights and privileges attached to the tide lots in front ofTutto Mare. Mohammadi said if there were, he thought they could an easement could be negotiated with the property owner (Zelinsky). -- Councilmember Hennessy asked that the walkway in front of Guaymas restaurant which was dedicated to Councilmember Thompson's father be preserved. During public hearing, Tom McCleran, 303 Paradise Drive, Pt. Tiburon, said it was the position of the Bayside Homeowners' Board to get a clear statement of intent from the Town not to convert any of the land [deeded by Innisfree to the Town] to any other use (other than that specified by the deed), and that proposals I and 2 were not good for that reason. He stated that the proposed dock was seven times the size of the existing dock and there would be problems with docking the ferry and the narrowness of the Corinthian Yacht Club access. Bill McKee, Pt. Tiburon, said the unknown size of the barge was still an issue, and said that housings, awnings, and wind breaks, which had not yet been discussed, would block the views. Council said these items were not being considered tonight. Town Engineer Mohammadi said he would not have a more detailed design until after he met with Zelinksy, Pt. Tiburon residents, and other interested parties. Councilmember Hennessy encouraged the residents of Pt. Tiburon to keep an open mind and said that it would be safer for the ferry to be able to dock in the open space lots. Councilmember Ginalski said the intent of the original proposal was to alleviate paying Zelinsky a montWy fee (for the current dock location) and ADA considerations. He said Alternates No. 1 ,..., TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES #1098 OCTOBER 2. 1996 4 I"", and 2 did not work and that Alternate NO.3 would be on Zelinsky's property. Ginalski also cited Land Use Element 15 of the Town's Zoning Ordinance which regulates traffic. He said the new proposal was "creating a boat parking lot, and would invite more and larger boats." Ginalski said that any change to the General Plan should be placed on the ballot. Vice Mayor Thayer stated that he did not want to change the character of the Town. However, he said he was willing to explore alternatives and that it was only prudent, especially when funding was available. He said it was important to have ferry access for the future, especially since there had already been two major disasters in the area, the Lorna Prieta Earthquake and the closures of Highway 101 due to mudslides, both of which had created major transportation problems. Thayer said he was delighted that Town Engineer Mohammadi was willing to work on the project and with the interested parties to find a solution. Councilmember Thompson said he had voted against the project originally because the dock was too big and it would have encroached into Town open space. He stated he was happy that progress was being made but that the (proposed) dock was still too long. Thompson said ADA (American's with Disabilities Act) was a moral obligation, and that ferry traffic would increase but that it was a good choice of transportation for the future. He encouraged Town Engineer Mohammadi to build a coalition with the interested parties. /'"" Mayor Wolf said she concurred with her fellow councilmembers, but said she would prefer a safer clearance, especially during difficult weather. Council directed Mohammadi to proceed. 6. New Town Hall Facilities--Continued Discussion of Change Orders. A majority of Council rejected the proposal for air conditioning (estimated cost of $35,000). Chair Wilson said the contract currently included refrigerant piping in the building, but that concrete pads, cooling coils and the condensers would have to be purchased if A/C were to be added later. Councilmember Hennessy continued to urge installation of the A/C up front. Council limited the proposed security system to the installation of some wiring and possible motion detectors. Bruce Ross said the project architect thought the proposal before Council was "monumental overkill" and recommended looking at other sources. Council agreed to defer the installation of the Wood Slat Acoustic Tile in the Council Chambers (estimated cost $26,500). Wilson said the cost might go down if it were installed later, separate from the construction contract. ,.-- TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES #1098 OCTOBER 2. 1996 5 ~ Councilmember Ginalski asked about a letter to the editor in the Marin Independent Journal which claimed the project was $400,000 over budget. Project Team member Wilson said Council was aware that the contract was $80,000 over the architect's original estimate, and that Council had previously approved a $125,000 contingency. He said the project was not over budget and had not used all of the contingency funds. Mayor Wolf asked for a future report showing how much of the contingency fee remained after taking into account the currently-approved change orders. Wilson said the items still outstanding were: furniture, millwork, security system, sound system, wiring for telephone and computers, landscaping and irrigation, and architect and inspection fees. H. PUBLIC HEARING None. I. NEW BUSINESS 7. 1996-97 Town Budget Adjustments. Council agreed to approve the purchase ofa Steam Cleaner for Public Works in the amount of $4,020, cost to be shared equally with Richardson Bay Sanitary District. Council also approved a budget allocation of an estimated $3,800 for the Planning Department to participate with the County in an orthographic and GIS mapping project. MOTION: To adopt Resolution Authorizing Participation in the Countywide Mapping Project through the Marin Street Light JP A Thompson, Seconded by Thayer AYES: Unanimous "....... Moved: Vote: MOTION: Moved: Vote: To join with Richardson Bay Sanitary District to Purchase a Steam Cleaner Thompson, Seconded by Hennessy AYES: Unanimous J. COMMUNICATIONS 8. Letter to Town Council from Vista Tiburon Property Owners' Association. Council directed Town Staff to continue to enforce the agreement already in place which required the Association rather than individual homeowners to maintain the grove of trees in question. Planning Director Anderson said the Town had the authority to require that tree work be done and lien the lots if the Association's work was not up to par. Council also directed Anderson to send a letter to the Association c1aritying and reiterating the agreement. K. STAFF & TOWN MANAGER REPORTS 9. Sale of Red & White Fleet to Blue & Gold Fleet. Council discussed an article in the SF Chronicle which noted the Attorney General's office had objected to the pending sale of Red & White fleet to Blue & Gold. While noting that it could not interfere in a private business enterprise, Council agreed to send a letter to the PUC stating the Town's interest in maintaining ferry service to Tiburon. r- TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES #1098 OCTOBER 2, 1996 6 L. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Town Council of the Town of Tiburon, Mayor Wolf adjourned the meeting at 10: 15 p.m., sine die. /f/ . 14- t" c/ ~V" I NICKY WOLF~ YOR ATTEST: rneu- DIANE L. CRANE, TOWN CLERK TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES #1098 OCTOBER 2, 1996 7