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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.01 Draft CC 02-10-2007 Min DRAFT SPECIAL MEETING - FEBRUARY 10 2007 A special joint meeting (Goals & Objectives Workshop) of the Dublin City Council, Planning Commission, Parks & Community Services Commission, and Heritage & Cultural Arts Commission, was held on Saturday, February 10, 2007, in the Regional Meeting Room of the Dublin Civic Center. The meeting was called to order at 9:03 a.m., by Mayor Lockhart. . ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilmembers Hildenbrand, Oravetz, Sbranti and Mayor Lockhart Parks & Community Services Commissioners Deering, Elias and Flores Heritage & Cultural Arts Commissioners Acuff, Carr, Lussie, Mack, Swalwell and Vonheeder-Leopold Planning Commissioners King, Schaub, Tomlinson and Wehrenberg ABSENT: Councilmember Scholz Parks & Community Services Commissioner Guarienti, Jones and Muetterties Heritage & Cultural Arts Commissioner Halket Planning Commissioner Biddle . I. WELCOME Mayor Lockhart welcomed the Parks & Community Services Commission, Heritage & Cultural Arts Commission, Planning Commission, Staff and members of the public to the Goals & Objectives Workshop. CITY COUNCIL j\UNIJTES VOLUJ\IE 26 SPECIAL MEETING February 10, 2007 34 J , I ~ DRAFT Mayor Lockhart reviewed ground rules, indicating that the purpose of this meeting was to provide each Commission an opportunity to have a dialogue with the City Council regarding those goals and objectives related to their respective area of responsibility. This information will assist the City Council as they consider the City's 2007-2008 Goals & Objectives Program on March 28th. The discussion at this meeting would initially focus on those objectives in which the priority of the Commission differed from City Staff and any new objectives proposed by the Commission, as well as how those objectives related to the 2007-2008 Strategic Plan update. City Manager Richard Ambrose presented an overview, in lieu of a Staff Report, to review the City's Strategic Plan, Mission Statement, Vision, Strategies. He detailed the City's accomplishments in relation to these strategies. City Manager Ambrose explained that this past January, the City Council had held a Strategic Plan Workshop and examined the Strategic Plan piece by piece. As a result of discussions at that meeting, Staff was directed to examine new areas of the strategies. The first item had to do with Strategy #5, "Continue to develop a community that provides a balance of jobs, housing, and services in a fiscally sound manner". Staff had identified new objectives for the Council's consideration at the March 28th Goals & Objectives/Budget Study Session. One new objective had to do with City growth and Staff's ability to provide services being hampered due to lack of facility space. Staff would provide a report to Council within the next month with a plan for Staffing and space needed for the build-out of the City. The second item was to prepare a five-year operational revenue and expenditure forecast. The third item proposed was the City's small Emergency Operations Center and corporation yard. The two existing locations would not accommodate the City's needs in the future, and Staff proposed identifying a site for a larger maintenance facility and Emergency Operations Center. CITY COUNCIL 1VUNUTES VOLUME 26 SPECIAL MEETING February 10, 2007 DRAFT II. PARKS & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSIONjDISCUSSION OF GOALS & OBJECTIVES The Council and Commission discussed the proposed objectives for accomplishing each of the Parks & Community Services Commission's goals, focusing primarily on those goals in which the Staff and Commission rankings differed, as well as an additional objective proposed by the Parks & Community Service Commission. Goal #4 EXPAND OPERATIONAL HOURS AND PROGRAMS AT THE DUBLIN SENIOR CENTER Parks & Community Services Commission Chair Flores advised that the Commission proposed the wording for this goal be revised to read "Expand operational hours, programs, and marketing of activities at the Dublin Senior Center". The Commission and Staff acknowledged that the idea of marketing originated with the Senior Advisory Committee and all were in agreement. Mayor Lockhart asked what the affects would be on the City's ability to rent out the Senior Center and generate revenue if there were new hours for the Center. Parks & Community Services Director Diane Lowart commented that for the upcoming year, Staff would look at limited evening and weekend hours and for the following year, Shannon Recreation Center would be open and rentals would then shift there. Identification of activities could be part of Goal #1, "Conduct in depth community needs assessment." Goal #2 RE- EV AL U A TE THE FACILITIES FEASIBILITY STUDY AND UPDATE THE CONCEPTUAL MASTER PLAN FOR THE EMERALD GLEN RECREATION/ AQUATIC CENTER CITY COUNCIL 1VIINUTES VOLUj\'IE 26 SPECIAL MEETING February 10, 2007 36 DRAFT City Manager Ambrose commented that Staff was committed to providing a report to Council in April on the feasibility of a joint public/private partnership for the Aquatics Center if there was an indeed an interested private partner. There was funding to build a center as anticipated in the public facility fee study, but not funding to build a more elaborate center as the Commission and Council discussed two years ago. The Commission, Council and Staff discussed expectations, possible competition and operating costs related to the facility, therefore, the City's interest in a publici private partnership. Building the facility in phases was an option if a partnership did not develop. Mayor Lockhart clarified that money that was designated for the Aquatic Center, from development impact fees in the east, was going to this ,facility and not being spent elsewhere in the City. Cm. Sbranti asked where funding would come from if the option of renovating the high school pool was chosen. City Manager Ambrose replied that the item would have to be revisited; Staff did not have an answer today. Mayor Lockhart and Staff discussed a new Dublin Reads program that would include two books about Dublin history. One book would be for adults and the other for children. The kick-off of the program would be at Dublin's Day on the Glen. City Manager Ambrose updated the Council on the Historic Park land acquisition. The City was meeting with individual tenants regarding the possible land acquisition. The Commission, Council and Staff discussed a proposed additional objective, "Expand sporting events for youth and teens." The Commission ranked this as a High priority. The premise was just for drop-in sporting CITY COUNCII..l1VnNUT}~S VOLUJ\lE 26 SPECIAL MEETING February 10, 2007 AGE 37 DRAFT participation, not for any particular level of ability. All types of sports were considered such as basketball and soccer, and suggested new sports were bocce, cricket and lacrosse. It was agreed that promoting healthy activities through sports was a good idea. Planning Commissioner King commented that he would be approaching the Parks & Recreation Commission about having some type of community theatre. Parks & Community Services Director Lowart commented that this would be under the Heritage & Cultural Arts Commission purview. The Commission, Council and Staff discussed a temporary stage or venue for performing arts. There would be an area at the new Shannon Center that could be used as an interim stage or a future amphitheatre at Emerald Glen Park. Parks & Community Services Director Lowart reminded the Council that this item would be under the purview of the Heritage & Cultural Arts Commission. Cm. Oravetz thanked the Parks & Community Services Commission for its work on the Dougherty Hills Dog Park. Mayor Lockhart informed the Commission that the Council had approved different play fixtures for Alamo Park than had been suggested by the Commission. An unidentified tenant from the Dublin Square Shopping Center asked about the relocation of Len's Barber Shop due to the City's possible acquisition of the property for the Dublin Heritage Center. She requested more information regarding relocation assistance from the City. CITY COUNCIL lVUNUTES VOLUlVIE 26 SPECIAlJ MEETING February 10, 2007 I' 38 DRAFT City Manager Ambrose informed her that the acquisition had not been completed, and the City would keep the tenants informed as to the status of negotiations. Mayor Lockhart added that there was a process to be followed and after negotiations, if the property was acquired by the City, relocation experts would work with the tenants. .. Mayor Lockhart called for a short recess at 9:57 a.m. Cm. Oravetz left the meeting during the break. The meeting reconvened at 10:03 a.m., without Cm. Oravetz present. .. III. HERITAGE & CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSIONjDISCUSSION OF GOALS & OBJECTIVES The Council and Commission discussed the' proposed objectives for accomplishing each of the Heritage & Cultural Arts Commission's goals, focusing primarily on those goals in which the Staff and Commission rankings differed. Goal #13 PURSUE ACCREDIDATION FOR THE HERITAGE CENTER THROUGH THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUMS Heritage and Cultural Arts Supervisor Hartnett advised that Goal #4, "Implement a self-study and peer review for the Phase II Museum Assessment Program - Public Dimension Assessment for the Dublin Heritage Center," needed to be completed before Goal #13- could be accomplished; therefore, the Commission proposed deleting the goal and adding it back once the necessary phases for accreditation approval had been completed. CITY COUNCU..I 1VUNUTES VOLUl\lE 26 SPECIAL MEETING February 10, 2007 ('AGE 39 DRAFT Commissioner V onheeder-Leopold spoke of two items that she wanted to make sure remained on the radar screen. The first being the acquisition of the Kolb House, which would take between $30,000 and $100,000 to move from its existing location. The other item was the expansion of the Dublin Cemetery. The Commission, Council and Staff discussed the possible acquisition of a 2- 3 acre parcel of land for the expansion of the cemetery. If the Council so desired, the expansion could be accomplished without the acquisition of the Dublin Shopping Center. One of the challenges of the expansion would be finding an interested party to operate the cemetery, and also decide if the operator or the City would pay for improvements. City Manager Ambrose added that one of the reasons for not acquiring the land was the uncertainty of how much money would be left after acquisition of the Dublin Shopping Center. Mayor Lockhart suggested adding the cemetery as a goal for FY 2008-2009. Goal #12 IMPLEMENT PHASE II OF THE DOWNTOWN PUBLIC ART/BUS SHELTER PROTKI Parks & Community Services Director Lowart stated there would be a Staff Report at the February 20th Council meeting addressing whether to go forward with this goal or not. The Commission, Council and Staff discussed community venues for performing arts and agreed that some type of interim facility was needed until a permanent one was available. The successful concerts at Old St. Raymond's Church were good examples of successful events. A facility at Camp Parks or a partnership with the schools, for venues and events, were suggested. CITY COUNCIL 1VUNUTES VOLUJVIE 26 SPECIAL MEETING February 10, 2007 PAGE 40 DRAFT The Council and Commission commented on the positive contributions of Elizabeth Isles to the Heritage Center. Mayor Lockhart stated that as she reviewed the list of individual goals related to expanding present City programs, many were already underway. Cm. Sbranti asked if there was an effort in place to document the history of Dublin in the 1960s. The Commission and Staff discussed a recent event that gathered Dublin citizens from the 1960s and their exchange of stories and memories. There was also an effort by the Dublin Historical Preservation Association to sort stored articles and pictures that documented this history. A book by Arcadia Publishing was in process, as well as, an effort to videotape oral history from early Dublin residents. Heritage and Cultural Arts Supervisor Hartnett stated that a report about Art Takes Place would be made to Council later this spring in response to an inquiry from Council. Commissioner Acuff asked about the status of the Alamilla Springs property and stated that she had casually spoken to the owners and that they might be interested in placing history markers on the property. City Manager Ambrose commented that he had spoken with the owners of the property, and they might be interested in having a maintenance easement over that property. The City was now looking into the desired boundaries of such an easement. Mayor Lockhart suggested the owners might be interested in placing history markers, with some assistance with funding. The Commission, Council and Staff discussed ways of encouraging citizens to volunteer and the possibility of attendance of representatives of non- CITY COUNCIL JVUNUTES VOLUlVIE 26 SPECIAL MEETING February 10,2007 41 DRAFT profit organizations at a Leadership session. An effort was underway to provide a list of non-profit volunteer opportunities for Leadership Academy participants. That list could also be put on the City's website and/ or added to the Welcome to Dublin packet. Mayor Lockhart also suggested maybe revising the title of the Leadership Academy in the future. Planning Commissioner King asked if anything could be done about the cyclone fences at either end of the overpass murals in the City. Mayor asked that Staff contact the property owner, CalTrans, about possibly replacing the fences. .. Mayor Lockhart called for a short recess at 11 :09 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 11 : 18 a.m. .. IV. PLANNING COMMISSIONjDISCUSSION OF GOALS & OBJECTIVES The Council and Commission discussed the proposed objectives for accomplishing each of the Planning Commission's goals, focusing primarily on those goals in which the Staff and Commission rankings differed. Goal #5: COMPLETE GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT ON DIMANTO PROPERTY Planning Commission Chair Schaub explained that the Commission's ranking of Medium differed from Staff's ranking of High because nothing was going on with the property. CITY COUNCIL 1VUNUTES VOLUlVIE 26 SPECIAL MEETING February 10, 2007 42 DRAFT The Council explained that it ranked this item as High because they wanted Staff to understand its importance and placement in relation to workload priority if and/ or when something did happen to move this goal along. The Commission concurred with Council's ranking of High based on the Council's explanation of its interpretation of a High priority - to be ready to move forward on an item once there was movement. City Manager Ambrose explained that general plan amendments required Council action, which was why this item is on the list and other items are not. Goal #6: COMPLETE SCARLETT COURT SPECIFIC PLAN The Commission explained that it also rated this item as Medium, differing from Staff's ranking of High, because there was no movement, but agreed it could be ranked as High based on the earlier discussion of rankings associated with Goal #5. Cm. Sbranti asked what Staff would envision for the area around Scarlett Court. Community Development Director Jeri Ram explained that a couple of years ago, when Council and Staff initiated the Scarlett Court Specific Plan, it was thought that everything could be accomplished at once, but soon realized improvements had to be split into two phases: Design Guidelines, and then, Land Use Changes. Staff recommended to Council that they postpone the second phase until Camp Parks submitted its application. The timing for the Dublin Boulevard/Dougherty Road intersection was discussed, with the contract going out to bid after Council approval at the February 20th Council meeting, and then an approximate 15-month process once construction began. CITY COUNCIL 1VlINUTES VOLUJ\IE 26 SPECIAL MEETING February 10, 2007 43 DRAFT The Commission, Council and Staff agreed that the land use for both Camp Parks and Scarlett Court could be done in two phases: one goal associated with Stage 1 Design Guidelines, ranked High, and another goal, Stage 2, associated with land use, ranked Medium. Timing with the Camp Parks development was not known; however, the final decision on that would be made by Council at its March 28th Goals & Objectives Study Session. City Manager Ambrose advised that NASA, property owner of a parcel at Camp Parks, now wanted to sell its own property. Since that parcel would have an impact on the City's land planning process at Camp Parks, he would be discussing it next week with NASA representatives and would report back to Council. Goal #7: UPDATE CITY'S GENERAL PLAN Commissioner Schaub explained the Commission ranked this goal as a Low priority because the Commission realized the City had a lot on its plate right now. Mayor Lockhart agreed that the City might not be at a point of needing to update the General Plan, but should continue to follow its course, continue with the current financial structure, and wait until the City was close to build-out to consider reviewing and updating the plan, as necessary. Additional Objective #1: DEVELOP POLICY REQUIRING PLAY AREAS IN WALKING DISTANCE OF HOMES IN NEW SUBDIVISIONS Commissioner Tomlinson explained this new goal, with backyards getting smaller, there needed to be some recreation area, green space, for kids to play, such as pocket parks. This could be a condition of approval for new subdivisions. CITY COUNCII..I 1VUNUTES VOLUl\lE 26 SPECIAL MEETING February 10, 2007 E 44 DRAFT The Commission felt it should be in the form of grassy areas to kick a ball around or play catch, no play structures, except for maybe a basketball hoop. These areas would be under the auspices of the Homeowners' Association as far as maintenance and should be close enough to walk to, which might also encourage interaction among neighbors. This space would not count as towards park acreage. Additional Objective #2: INCREASE ZONING CODE ENFORCEMENT TO ENSURE BETTER MAINTENANCE AND COMPLIANCE WITH CONDITIONS OF APPROV AL FOR COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL AREAS Commissioner Schaub explained that this new objective had to with enforcement, and/or follow-up of, approved maintenance and compliance conditions. The Commission, Council and Staff discussed the need for realistic consequences for non-compliance and maintenance. Complaints needed to be prioritized as far as need of enforcement. One consequence of non- compliance could be that the City inform the property owner of needed work. If not completed within a certain timeframe, then the City could perform the work and bill the property owner. City Manager Ambrose stated that he would follow-up with Community Development Director Ram on evaluating, during the budget process, where the City was on condition enforcement of Site Development Reviews (SDR)and Staff workload and report back to the Council. Commissioner Wehrenberg suggested not approving design items in plans that the City knew did not work in Dublin. CITY COUNCU..I MINUTES VOLUJ\IE 26 SPECIAL MEETING February 10, 2007 45 DRAFT Additional Objective #3: EXAMINE SDR SECTION OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE TO DETERMINE IF CHANGES SHOULD BE MADE THAT WILL INCREASE ITS EFFECTIVENESS Commissioner Tomlinson stated that the City should have an approval process of the colors businesses could paint their buildings. Plans were approved and buildings painted specified colors, but there should be an approval process when businesses applied to repaint buildings. Mayor Lockhart commented that some buildings are painted with their corporate colors and this could not be avoided. Community Development Director Ram explained that if there was an existing SDR, the property owner would have to go through the planning process to change their colors. If there was no SDR, then the property owner would not have to review their choice of colors with the City. This had happened with buildings that had zoning requirements approved by the County, before the City incorporated in 1982. When the Downtown Specific Plan comes forward, then the Council could look at including those details in the Plan. The Commission, Council and Staff discussed changing City regulations to look at repainting the building's where the City does not have SDR processes, while keeping in mind that some businesses had identifying colors and would want to have those specific colors approved. Objective #11 HOLD STUDY SESSION WITH PLANNING COMMISSION TO DISCUSS HOW DUBLIN BLVD. WILL LOOK AND FEEL FROM SCHAEFER ROAD TO FALLON ROAD CITY COUNCIL MINUTES VOLUME 26 SPECIAL MEETING February 10, 2007 PAGE 46 DRAFT City Manager Ambrose asked for clarification from Council as to its expectations for this particular study session, regarding amount of detail and expected presentation format. The Commission, Council and Staff discussed the desired outcomes of this proposed study session. It would be difficult to provide pictures of Dublin Boulevard development in any format, not knowing what would be approved in the future. Staff could present more detail to Council regarding what developments would look like, including what buildings would be next to them, when they were presented for approval. Mayor Lockhart commented that she did not want Staff to spend a lot of time or money on this session since they had a lot of work going on right now. Next time the Council had another workshop, maybe some information could be shared, at that point. It was decided the Commission should discuss the need for this session first and then recommend it if they still felt it was needed. Commissioner Schaub mentioned three items the Planning Commission would be working on in the next six months: 1) going around the Bay Area to see what they liked as far as commercial; 2) a session on Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions and Geologic Hazard Abatement Districts; and 3) attendance at a session on Green Buildings. +- There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Lockhart thanked the Commissioners and Staff for their participation, and adjourned the meeting at 12:29 p.m. .. Meeting minutes taken and prepared by Caroline Soto, Deputy City Clerk. CITY COUNCIL J\lINUTES VOLUJ\IE 26 SPECIAL MEETING February 10, 2007 47 DRAFT ATTEST: City Clerk Mayor CITY CO'[TN' TCII, 1\JJI'N:[T'r'L~ S . .. . . ; 1 > ,..~ 1't I. .I .1.:"'- VOLUJ\lE 26 SPECIAL MEETING February 10, 2007 PAGE 48