HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.1 Draft CC 9-6-11 MinSTAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
CITY CLERK
File #610-10
DATE: September 20, 2011
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Joni Pattillo, City Manager
SUBJECT: Minutes of Regular Meeting of September 6, 2011
Prepared by Caroline P. Soto, City Clerk
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City Council will consider approval of the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of
September 6, 2011.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve minutes.
Submitted By
City Clerk
DESCRIPTION:
Reviewed By
Assistant City Manager
The City Council will consider approval of the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of
September 6, 2011.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
None.
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of September 6, 2011
Page 1 of 1 ITEM NO. 4.1
DRAFT
of DU~~ MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
-1-~ ~s2
~~1~~ - ember 6 2011
REGULAR MEETING Sept ,
'r.\ _~w
CLOSED SESSION
A closed session was held at 6:30 p.m., regarding:
12
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL -EXISTING LITIGATION (Subdivision (a) of
Section 54956.9) Concerned Dublin Citizens, et. al v. City of Dublin, et al. (Alameda
County Superior Court, RG11581959)
II. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL -EXISTING LITIGATION (Subdivision (a) of
Section 54956.9) Name of case: City of Dublin v. AA Label, Inc., Alameda County
Superior Court, RG11561163
A regular meeting of the Dublin City Council was held on Tuesday, September 6, 2011, in the
City Council Chambers of the Dublin Civic Center. The meeting was called to order at 7:14:20
PM, by Mayor Sbranti.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Councilmembers Hart, Hildenbrand, Swalwell, and Mayor Sbranti
ABSENT: Councilmember Biddle
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The pledge of allegiance to the flag was recited by the City Council, Staff and those present.
REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION ACTION
Mayor Sbranti stated there was no reportable action during Closed Session.
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 1
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ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
7:14:45 PM 3.1 (700-10)
Introduction of New Employees: Kathy Southern, (PSE) Environmental
Technician -Environmental Services; Hazel Wetherford, Administrative Analyst II -
Economic Development; Seth Adams, Assistant Planner -Community Development
Assistant to the City Manager Roger Bradley introduced Kathy Southern, the new temporary
Environmental Technician.
City Manager Pattillo introduced Hazel Wetherford, Administrative Analyst II in Economic
Development.
Community Development Director Jeri Ram introduced Seth Adams, Assistant Planner in the
Planning Division.
The City Council welcomed the new employees to the City Staff.
Public Comments
7:20:04 PM 3.2
No comments were made by any member of the public at this time.
CONSENT CALENDAR
7:20:13 PM Items 4.1 through 4.8
Cm. Swalwell pulled Item 4.2 for further discussion.
On motion of Vm. Hart, seconded by Cm. Hildenbrand and by unanimous vote (Cm. Biddle
absent), the City Council took the following actions:
Approved (4.1) Minutes of Regular Meeting of August 16, 2011.
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 2
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Adopted (4.3 700-20)
and
RESOLUTION NO. 151 -11
AMENDING THE CLASSIFICATION PLAN
RESOLUTION NO. 152 -11
AMENDING THE SALARY PLAN FOR FULL-TIME PERSONNEL
Adopted (4.4 600-30)
RESOLUTION NO. 153 -11
14
APPROVING AGREEMENT WITH GLADWELL GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES, INC. TO
EVALUATE CITY DOCUMENTS AND OFFICIAL RECORDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
RECORDS RETENTION AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
Adopted (4.5 600-30)
RESOLUTION NO. 154 -11
AGREEMENT WITH TRI-VALLEY JANITORIAL SERVICE AND SUPPLY FOR JANITORIAL
SERVICES OF CITY FACILITIES
and approve the Budget Change in the amount of $23,490.
Adopted (4.6 600-60)
and
RESOLUTION NO. 155 - 11
APPROVING THE FINAL MAP
FOR TRACT 8051, NEIGHBORHOOD "C-3"
POSITANO/FALCON VILLAGE
RESOLUTION NO. 156-11
ACCEPTING PARKLAND DEDICATION CREDITS AND FEES
FOR PARKLAND DEDICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR TRACT 8051
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 3
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SEPTEMBER 6, 2011
DRAFT
Adopted (4.7 600-35)
RESOLUTION NO. 157 -11
AWARDING CONTRACT NO. 11-10,
2011 ANNUAL SLURRY SEAL PROGRAM,
TO AMERICAN ASPHALT REPAIR AND RESURFACING CO., INC.
and approved the Budget Change.
Approved (4.8 300-40) Check Issuance Reports and Electronic Funds Transfers.
15
Cm. Swalwell pulled Item 4.2, 2011-2012 Contract for Services with the Alameda County
Library, and stated he supported the item and it was important to put the hours back into the
library. He was concerned about the long-term success of the library. He was on the Library
Commission. He was concerned about the City continuing to fund the library and the County
library system not attempting to find new revenue sources. He had brought this up at the
County Library Commission meetings. It was met with some resistance. Cm. Biddle had
suggested putting a coffee shop in the library to bring revenue to the library. There were also
advertising opportunities that the library could use to make partnerships with the business
community, as well as an aggressive donor outreach plan. The City could also review how to
rent the library out and generate revenue. He did not want to see hours taken away next year.
He would like to see a more sustainable plan for the library. Could the City Council get an
update from the City Manager on Cm. Riddle's idea?
City Manager Pattillo stated, with the adoption of the budget, the City Council had approved an
initiative of exploring the addition of a cafe. That was part of a larger discussion as it related to
looking at the library expansion. The City Council might see that in the Spring of 2012.
Parks and Community Services Director Diane Lowart stated Staff would be bringing a
consultant services agreement before the City Council either at the second meeting in
September of the first meeting in October. It would be with the consultant that did the initial
library programming study who would be working with City and Library Staff to explore potential
expansion opportunities for the library.
City Manager Pattillo stated that it would be brought back to the City Council in the Spring of
2012 if there were viable options to be considered as part of the next two-year budget. Also, the
library hours being presented had been consistent. When the City Council had made the hard
decisions about rolling back library hours, it went back to a baseline that the City could actually
sustain. Not knowing what the future held meant the City would continue to review the hours
and make appropriate recommendations.
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Mayor Sbranti asked how many hours were there at one point, how many hours were reduced
and how many hours were they looking at now.
Ms. Lowart stated last year, the City reduced the hours by 14 hours a week. The City funded 17
hours a week last year, and would fund 17 hours a week this year.
Vm. Hart stated his concern was sustainability of libraries themselves. Children born in 2010
would not know what a book looked like as information was media-based, or Internet-based.
The ideas mentioned were great ideas to make the library sustainable. The problem was they
did not have the staff to research or solicit the new revenue. It could be a potential problem in
the future.
Ms. Lowart stated next month the City Council would receive a presentation by the Dublin
Library Branch Manager regarding their successes this past year. Despite the fact that books
were going by the wayside, the library was seeing record attendance for other services they
offered.
Cm. Hildenbrand stated the library was heavily used. There were many different services that
were provided there. Part of it was to attract patrons and to utilize the space. Libraries would not
allow themselves to go away. They would figure a way to adapt. By doing this, the City was
providing a service to the community that was absolutely essential right now.
Cm. Swalwell stated it was important that the City highlight these hours because many
communities were cutting these types of services. He wanted to ensure the City could sustain
the hours in the future.
Mayor Sbranti stated the City should monitor its own services to look at its own best practices.
The City needed to monitor and look at what ultimately provided the best service for the
residents. Perhaps it was continuing to stay with Alameda County or, if it was not, then the City
needed to consider what would provide the best services to the City.
Vm. Hart stated adding 17 hours back into the program was a positive item.
City Manager Pattillo stated the cafe discussion evolved into an initiative that looked at a
broader base, including looking at the overall needs of the library and the needs of the changing
environment. The idea was incremental as far as the cafe. But the way the City was looking at
it was from a wider lens. Also, the hours contained in the budget for FY 2011-2012 went back to
a service level the City was able to sustain about three years ago.
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On motion of Cm. Swalwell, seconded by Cm. Hildenbrand, and by unanimous vote (Cm. Biddle
absent), the City Council adopted
RESOLUTION NO. 150 - 11
APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH COUNTY OF ALAMEDA
FOR ADDITIONAL LIBRARY SERVICES
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011-2012
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS -None
PUBLIC HEARINGS -None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Amendment to
Improvement Developer Agreement for Schaefer Ranch Park Improvements
7:29:43 PM 7.1 (600-60)
City Manager Pattillo presented the Staff Report and advised that the City and Schaefer Ranch
Holdings LLC ("the Developer") are parties to the Improvement Developer Agreement for
Schaefer Ranch Park Improvements ("the Agreement"). The Agreement required the Developer
to complete the park improvements in the Schaefer Ranch Development prior to the issuance of
the 201st building permit. Developer had requested additional time to complete the
improvements, and the proposed amendment to the Agreement would require the developer to
complete the construction of the Schaefer Ranch Park no later than June 30, 2013.
Vm. Hart asked if the City was assuring that the $500,000 would be used for this specific park or
would it go into Park Maintenance General Fund.
City Manager Pattillo stated it would not go into a general fund. If the City decided to go the
route of endowments, it would be brought back to the City Council for consideration. The City
used to be able to live off the proceeds from interest earnings. The City could not do that
anymore. The developer was agreeable to whatever the City did as long as it stayed within
supporting the parks.
Vm. Hart asked why the City did not do the endowment for the future park versus the Heritage
Park and Museums.
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6
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City Manager Pattillo stated it was something the developer actually committed to as part of
their development. They considered the Heritage Park and Museums a gateway to their
development. Their commitment, even in the original development agreement, had to do with
advancing the Heritage Park and Museums. The City Council had the authority down the road
to look at how the City developed the endowment discussion. It could be City-wide versus park-
specific. It was a recommendation by the developer. He was more than willing to work with the
City.
Cm. Swalwell stated this was fine. Giving the City Council flexibility to look at where they were at
a point in time, for example, ten years from now, the City would have that flexibility of funds.
Mayor Sbranti stated he liked the date certain for the completion of the park.
On motion of Cm. Hildenbrand, seconded by Vm. Hart and by unanimous vote (Cm. Biddle
absent), the City Council adopted
RESOLUTION NO. 158 -11
APPROVING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO IMPROVEMENT DEVELOPER AGREEMENT
FOR SCHAEFER RANCH PARK IMPROVEMENTS
Authorization for the City Manager to
Execute a Consulting Services Contract with Circlepoint for the Provision of
Environmental Services for the Sphere of Influence Amendment Study for Doolan Canyon
7:35:14 PM 7.2 (600-30)
Consulting Planner Mike Porto presented the Staff Report and advised that the City Council
would consider authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Consulting Services
Agreement with Circlepoint, an environmental consulting firm, for the preparation of the
necessary environmental documentation in accordance with the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) to support and Amendment study to the City of Dublin's Sphere of Influence
to include Doolan Canyon. The agreement would be for an amount not to exceed $800,000.
Vm. Hart asked for clarification that Pacific Union would authorize the initiation of the contract
fairly soon.
Mr. Porto stated yes.
Bruce Myers, representative for the applicant Pacific Union, stated tonight's action was the next
step in a process that started over twenty years ago when the City of Dublin first thought about
expanding into the area that was known today as east Dublin. The Doolan area was the last
piece of that original vision for east Dublin. Their proposal for an active senior community was
the right fit for this property, the City of Dublin and the rest of Alameda County. Over the last
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 7
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nine months, Staff had been working very carefully regarding the details of what the study would
involve. The next step would be the preparation of a full EIR, including a fiscal impact analysis,
public scoping sessions, gathering public comments and evaluating alternative uses for the
property.
Vm. Hart stated the costs would be borne by the applicant. It was an evaluation of the process
and the proposal. The City was evaluating the impact and moving forward.
Cm. Hildenbrand stated it was the next step.
Cm. Swalwell stated he agreed with Vm. Hart. It had to be done for the City to know what the
environmental impact would be. It was no cost to the City. It was important for the public to
know it was not a commitment one way or the other as to whether this project would be
approved. It was the first step of a long journey.
Mayor Sbranti stated the City had agreed to work with the City of Livermore and look for a
mutually agreeable solution. That offer was still on the table. The City wanted something that
was a win for Dublin, Livermore, the property owners and Alameda County. This EIR would
move them in that direction.
Vm. Hart stated he agreed, but this was still a part of Dublin for all intents and purposes.
On motion of Cm. Hildenbrand, seconded by Vm. Hart and by unanimous vote (Cm. Biddle
absent), the City Council adopted
RESOLUTION NO. 159 - 11
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONSULTING SERVICES
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF DUBLIN AND CIRCLEPOINT FOR THE PROVISION
OF ENVIRONEMENTAL SERVICES IN CONJUNCTION WITH A GENERAL PLAN
INITIATION STUDY TO CONSIDER INCULDING DOOLAN CANYON WITHIN THE CITY OF
DUBLIN SPHERE OF INFLUENCE
NEW BUSINESS
Report on Dublin's Creek Cleanup Day 2011 Activities
7:41:16 PM 8.1 (530-20)
Assistant to the City Manager Roger Bradley presented the Staff Report and advised that the
City Council would receive a report on the planned activities for the Creek Cleanup Day,
scheduled for Saturday, September 17, 2011.
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8
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SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 `~ ~
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The City Council received the report.
Reconsideration of Ex Parte Contacts Polic
7:44:54 PM 8.2 (610-20)
zo
City Attorney John Bakker presented the Staff Report and advised that Ex parte contacts are
communications of information relevant to a quasi-judicial governmental decision to a
decisionmaker outside of the formal quasi-judicial proceeding. On December 20, 2005, the City
Council adopted a policy prohibiting City Council members and Planning Commissioners,
among others, from the intentionally making or receiving ex parte contacts related to quasi-
judicial proceedings such as site development review approvals, conditional use permits, and
variances. The policy does not apply to quasi-legislative decisions such as general plan
amendments and zoning ordinance amendments. At that time, staff presented the City Council
with two proposed options for an ex parte contacts policy, one prohibiting contacts and the other
permitting contacts but requiring their disclosure on the record. The City Council adopted the
policy prohibiting contacts. At the April 5, 2011 City Council meeting, Councilmember Swalwell
requested that the policy be placed on a future Council agenda that would allow the policy to be
reviewed. In the event that the City Council desires to change the policy, Staff had prepared a
resolution that would permit contacts subject to their disclosure on the record of the proceeding.
Vm. Hart asked if Option 2 prohibited it completely but only in terms ofquasi-judicial process.
Mr. Bakker stated that was correct.
Vm. Hart asked if it had anything to do with City Councilmembers meeting with concerned
citizens or developers. It was when the City Council met in aquasi-judicial process that they
would be prohibited.
Mr. Bakker stated the policy applied when there was a pending quasi-judicial proceeding. There
was list ofquasi-judicial proceedings that were provided in the 2005 Staff Report attached to this
Staff Report. Quasi-judicial items were like Site Development Reviews (SDR) or Conditional
Use Permits (CUP). Quasi-judicial items are matters where there was a specific situation
applying existing rules to the situation. It did not apply to general plan amendments or zoning
ordinance amendments where they were more legislative. That was the major distinction.
Vm. Hart asked about the definition of pending.
Mr. Bakker stated pending meant that there was an existing application on file that was being
processed.
Vm. Hart asked how a City Councilmembers would know that.
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Mr. Bakker stated he did not know if there was an existing process in place to alert the City
Council when there was a pending application. He stated that might be something Staff should
take a look at. If an appeal were filed. how would the City Council be alerted. There could be
situations where someone might attempt to make contact with the City Council while a matter
was pending, but before a Staff Report had been produced.
Vm. Hart asked if Staff would know at that time if it was going to be aquasi-judicial hearing.
Mr. Bakker stated they typically would. When the City received an application, the application
would indicate what the applicant had applied for, whether it be a General Plan amendment or
an SDR. They would not always know asan application might initially be styled as a quasi-
judicial hearing and then it would morph into something bigger than that.
Cm. Swalwell asked Mr. Bakker to give a few examples ofquasi-judicial matters the City Council
had recently ruled on.
Mr. Bakker stated there had been a few appeals recently, such as the Sahara Market appeal.
There was one coming, the SDR for All American Label. That one was unique as it had other
aspects going on in terms of a litigation matter. Star Lanes was one. It was an SDR and a CUP
for parking.
Vm. Hart stated the City Council had heard quasi-judicial matters quite a few times.
Cm. Swalwell asked if there would be SDR issues with Dublin Crossings.
Mr. Bakker stated Dublin Crossings would have SDR issues at some point, but it would probably
be at the same point they were dealing with the General Plan issues, so it would be a mixed
quasi-judicial matter. So therefore, the policy did not apply in that circumstance. The Montessori
appeal was coming and that is aquasi-judicial matter.
Mayor Sbranti clarified that the Planning Commission would be hearing the Montessori School
item again.
Vm. Hart stated he was trying to clarify that they received calls and emails asking to meet, but
they did not know if it was aquasi-judicial matter. He stated that the City Council also wanted to
be accessible to the community. What would be a reasonable way to determine in advance, so
they would not fall into the realm of violating the City's current policy?
Mr. Bakker stated the City could provide the City Council a list of pending quasi-judicial matters.
The City did receive applications so they knew what was pending.
Vm. Hart asked what City Council obligations would be under Option 1. Would they have to
disclose for every single case that came through?
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 10
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Mr. Bakker stated, if they had had a contact, they would have to disclose before the public
hearing portion of the matter so the public would have a chance to rebut anything the City
Council had learned during the course of the contact.
Vm. Hart asked if this could happen in the aisle of Safeway? Could it be anybody or just the
applicant in the matter?
Mr. Bakker stated it did not matter where it was, as long as it was a contact relative to the
proceeding. It could be anybody, but again, it would have to be relevant.
Mayor Sbranti asked what the policy was before 2005.
Mr. Bakker stated there was no policy before 2005. The reason Staff recommended there be a
policy was because the City had encountered an issue. Someone alleged that there had been a
violation that someone's due process rights had been violated because there had been an ex
pane contact and it had not been disclosed on the record. It was at the Planning Commission.
The matter was appealed and ultimately, Staff told the City Council that would not be an issue
anymore because they were acting on this on the first instance anyway. It would resolve any
due process issues that may have existed. At a subsequent meeting, Staff noted it was
important to have a policy of some type to bring the due process ex parte contacts issue up.
Mayor Sbranti stated there were also no State guidelines either, then or now, on this topic.
Mr. Bakker stated there had been a couple of occasions where City Councilmembers had made
disclosures that they had contact, but there was no policy.
Cm. Swalwell stated the reason he asked that this come back to the City Council was because
the rule had no teeth. There was no remedy for a violation. It stated they committed a violation
and that was it. It was vague. It was ambiguous. The word he did not like was"intentionally"
receive information. It was being violated all the time, whether it was intentional or
unintentional. The reason it was being violated was because they were elected officials and
their job was to listen and learn. They were out there listening to folks. Applicants and the
business community told them what they thought about projects. That was why there was no
State law regarding this. Other agency bodies were allowed to receive information and go out
and inspect and learn on their own. The idea was you reported it and the community knew the
information they were receiving and what information they were using to base their opinions. It
encouraged them to do their job. How could the City Council when they could not receive
information? If they were to follow this rule, now they would require Staff to routinely and
regularly update them on what matters were quasi-judicial. What matters were pending? It
would take a significant amount of Staff time. The prospect of the City Attorney or the legal Staff
sending regular memos on what the City Council could and could not receive information was
not money well spent. This was open government. This rule now said if you received
information, you disclosed it. As it was now, they were all, whether intentionally or
unintentionally, receiving information.
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Cm. Hildenbrand stated, having been on the City Council in 2005 and having gone through the
incident where information was not disclosed, the City Council looked at it as a way to protect
themselves against something that could potentially lead to future problems. What they were
looking at was not at the application stage, but if it became a judicial issue as it moved through
the process and there could be issues if it became an appeal. The City Council agreed, at that
point, they would not be having conversations so they could make a decision on the issue as
presented to the City Council at that time. Unfortunately, there would be situations where they
would not remember all disclosures. It was more of a formality and procedure for the City
Council. Perception could go both ways. They could choose not to have the conversations until
they were asked to make a decision. There could be the perception they were swayed. She
preferred to keep the policy this way; maybe modify it.
Vm. Hart stated he would not be supportive of changing the policy. The current process seemed
to work. They all had contacts in the community. He could not remember everyone he saw. He
did not see a problem. He asked Cm. Swalwell what he proposed.
Cm. Swalwell stated if someone took a meeting with a developer, then they needed to disclose
it. The public should know. What happened now was there was no disclosure. They were
discouraged from speaking to anyone. Although the intent at the time was for appeals only, it
was written for anything quasi-judicial. It did not say only for a matter under appeal. His
proposal was if they had aquasi-judicial matter, and they received relevant information, before a
meeting, they needed to disclose it.
Cm. Hildenbrand stated they had disclosed contacts before. What was relevant to one City
Councilmember might not be relevant to another. It came down to the integrity of the person
about what they wanted to disclose and what they deemed relevant. The 2005 policy was not
put in place because of an issue, because they were already disclosing. The policy was put in
place to make decisions in public when they were hearing information from the people for the
first time when it became an issue.
Cm. Swalwell stated the choice Cm. Hildenbrand presented was either they close the door to
the public and did not receive their information or opinions on anything quasi-judicial or, they
make an independent choice as to what was relevant.
Cm. Hildenbrand stated she took offense to him saying she was about closing government.
That was not what she was saying at all. She was not going to receive information if something
had been appealed. She said that and was not changing that. At that point, it was best to refer
the information to the appropriate people, whether it be the City Manager or the City Attorney.
Cm. Swalwell stated what he has saying was it was quasi-judicial, not appealed. That was how
it read right now.
Cm. Hildenbrand stated the quasi-judicial proceedings that she experienced on the City Council
had been in terms of an appeal.
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Mayor Sbranti stated it was not always cut and dry in terms of whether or not a matter was
quasi-judicial. That was one of the challenges of this policy. Any individual City Councilmember
could follow their own policy. Everyone operated in different ways. Some got their own
information or only got information from Staff. If City Councilmembers had different styles, and
some wanted to engage more and not just wait to hear Staff's report, it was up to them. But he
did believe things needed to be disclosed. He asked for clarification between the two options.
Mr. Bakker stated Option 1 would permit the contacts but required their disclosure on the record.
Option 2 would be what the City Council had in place right now which was prohibiting the
contacts. A little bit of a middle ground had been suggested where they had the prohibition
apply only after there was an appeal. The City Attorney would have to take a look at it and bring
the item back.
Mayor Sbranti stated people sometimes did come up and started speaking and did not
understand when a City Councilmember said they could not talk about it because it was aquasi-
judicial matter. He would rather just talk to them and then disclose the contact.
Cm. Swalwell stated he would welcome Cm. Hildenbrand's compromise. Anything under appeal
would have a record and then information would be received at a public hearing. That would be
better than what it was now.
Cm. Hildenbrand stated regarding a list of quasi-judicial matters from Staff was going to be
needed either way.
Mr. Bakker stated the City had a practice of indicating in the Staff Report if an item were a
quasi-judicial matter. The practice was particularly evident at the Planning Commission
meetings. It was very rare that the City Council had quasi-judicial matters. It was almost always
on appeal that ended up before the City Council as aquasi-judicial matter.
Cm. Hildenbrand stated the City did not know when an item came in if it would end up quasi-
judicial. So the Staff was still going to have to let the City Council know.
Mayor Sbranti stated the proposal that was made defined exactly when disclosures were
needed. If an item were under appeal, then the City Councilmember had a responsibility to
disclose conversations they had relative to this item before the item was heard. That clearly
defined the situation. He did not want to violate the City's policy.
Vm. Hart stated it was not an issue, but he would support the majority of the City Council on the
modification.
Cm. Swalwell stated he felt he was closing the door on the public if he told them a blanket no.
The compromise went to what he thought the problem was. The ambiguity of not knowing
would be gone.
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Mr. Bakker summarized he would prepare, for the City Council's consideration, an option
wherein contacts would be permitted while aquasi-judicial matter was pending; contacts would
be prohibited for City Council only after an appeal was filed on aquasi-judicial matter. From that
point on contacts would be prohibited in the sense that they were currently prohibited. The
policy would be brought back. There would have to be some drafting done as it would not apply
in the same way to the Planning Commission as it did to the City Council, although they did hear
matters on appeal as well. The City Attorney would revise the policy and bring it back.
OTHER BUSINESS Brief INFORMATION ONLY reports from Council and/or Staff,
including Committee Reports and Reports by Council related to meetings attended at
City expense (AB 1234)
8:19:15 PM
Cm. Swalwell stated he attended the Johnny Garlic's soft opening. He attended the Fire
Advisory meeting, and the Kolb School ribbon cutting.
Cm. Hildenbrand stated she attended the Johnny Garlic's soft opening. She attended the Kolb
School ribbon cutting and Livermore Amador Valley Transit meetings.
Vm. Hart stated he wanted to highlight the addition of library hours. The City was moving
forward in a proactive manner.
Mayor Sbranti stated he attended the Emerald Vista groundbreaking. He had also met with
Mr. Caruso who purchased a 14-acre site in Dublin.
ADJOURNMENT
10.1
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at
8:28:02 PM in memory of Staff Sgt. Sean Diamond and our fallen troops, and in honor of all the
victims of September 11, 2001.
Minutes prepared by Caroline P. Soto, City Clerk.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 14
VOLUME 30
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 ~