RED BLUFF

CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

DATE OF MEETING: October 5, 2004

TIME OF MEETING: 7:00 P.M.

PLACE OF MEETING: RED BLUFF COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL

The agenda for this meeting was posted pursuant to Resolution No. 28-1995

Councilmembers Present: Forrest Flynn, Mayor

Gregg Avilla

Russ Frey

Larry Stevens

Councilmembers Absent: Andy Houghton (Absent-Excused)

Staff Present: Susan Price, City Manager

Richard Crabtree, City Attorney

Gloria Shepherd, City Clerk

Tessa Pritchard, Human Resources Director

Michael Damon, Fire Chief

. Al Shamblin, Police Chief

Robb Gibbs, Director of Parks and Recreation

Venita Philbrick, City Treasurer

Charlie Mullen, Planning Director

Ted Taylor led the Pledge of Allegiance at the request of Mayor Flynn and the assemblage joined in.

EMERGENCY ITEM TO BE ADDED TO THE AGENDA

M/S/C Stevens, Frey to approve a request for immediate action by adding the Proclamation for the “White Cane Days” event sponsored by the Red Bluff Lions Club.

AYES: Councilmembers: Avilla, Flynn, Frey and Stevens

NOES: None

ABSENT OR NOT VOTING: Councilmember: Houghton (Absent-Excused)

Mayor Flynn proclaimed October 17-23, 2004 “Western Open Fiddle Week” and invited the community to join the Fiddle Championships at the Tehama District Fairgrounds in promoting the art and music of old-time fiddle music.

Fiddle Champions who will be performing at the Fairgrounds at the 22nd Annual Western Open Fiddle Championships presented a medley of songs to the City Council.

Mayor Flynn proclaimed October 15^th, 16^th, and 17^th, 2004 “Lions White Cane Days” and invited citizens to share in saving vision by donating to the “White Cane Days” event being held by the Red Bluff Lions Club.

CONSENT CALENDAR

M/S/C Stevens, Frey to pull Item # 5 and approve remaining Consent Calendar.

AYES: Councilmembers: Avilla, Flynn, Frey and Stevens

APPROVED 4-0-1

M/S/C Stevens, Frey to approve discussing the policy and duties of those selected to commissions and to advertise the positions.

AYES: Councilmembers: Avilla, Flynn, Frey and Stevens

RESOLUTION NO. 54-2004; RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A STREET CLOSURE FOR THE TEHAMA COUNTY MULTI-AGENCY MASS CASUALTY DRILL

CURRENT BUSINESS

Mayor Pro Tem Larry Stevens and Councilmember Russ Frey attended the Annual League of California Cities Conference September 16-19, 2004 in Long Beach, California and gave a report of what they experienced there. There has been a unity among the Cities and the Governor in order to accomplish things for California. Each City has value and presentations on improvements by other cities were helpful and inspiring for those attending. The conference was supporting Ballot Issue Prop 1A, which was described as “short term ~~paying~~ pain for long term gain” and is a statewide amendment sponsored by the Governor to help cities pay taxes locally and spend money locally. Thanks were made to the City for allowing them to attend in order to provide better representation.

Informational

PROPOSITION 1A
PROTECT LOCAL TAXPAYERS AND PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES
RESOLUTION NO. 55-2004

Susan Price, City Manager, reviewed the staff report and gave staff’s recommendation that the City Council approve Resolution No. 55-2004 A Resolution Supporting Proposition 1A.

M/S/C Frey, Stevens to approve Resolution No. 55-2004 A Resolution Supporting Proposition 1A.

AYES: Councilmembers: Avilla, Flynn, Frey and Stevens

Susan Price, City Manager, reviewed the staff report and gave staff’s recommendation that the City Council hear the presentation by one or more representatives of the Citizens for a South County College Committee and take any action as determined appropriate.

Ted and Hattie Taylor, Citizens for South County College Committee members, presented reasons not to support the donated Del Webb site location for the Shasta College site. They claimed that the land was not prime land and developing costs would be costly. Their committee will be appearing before the Shasta Board of Trustees to propose their ideas and invited others to join them and to encourage the City of Red Bluff to designate interested people to work with them in proposing an optional site near Corning. The Mayor of Corning, Gary Strack, was present and he supported trying to get the college to commit to looking at another site near Corning. A petition opposing the north county college site was presented to the City Council.

Councilmembers Avilla and Flynn agreed to show their support by appearing with the Committee as they attend the upcoming Shasta Board of Trustee meeting to propose an appeal of the decision for the North County College site.

Susan Price, City Manager, reviewed the staff report and gave staff’s recommendation that the City Council hear the information presented by the District Manager for the Social Security Administration regarding new office space at 725 Pine Street.

Polly J. Van Benthusen, Social Security District Manager, reported that the Social Security Office had been successful in finding an alternative space in the Red Bluff area at 725 Pine Street and they will distribute flyers and notify the local newspaper of the new location. Thanks were made to the City for allowing them to use the space to provide services in the Red Bluff Community for many years.

Informational

Barbara O’Keefe, Transit Manager, provided an overview of the Para TRAX Survey that was mailed out on September 13, 2004 with a deadline to be returned by October 8, 2004. Survey questions and results regarding the dial-a-ride service and reasons for modifying the system due to budget constraints were discussed. The City requested public input on the following issues under consideration:

· Limiting Para Trax dial-a-ride ridership to those people who qualify for service under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Riders who do not qualify for ADA-certification would be provided personal assistance and training, if needed, in order to transition onto the fixed route TRAX service.

· Eliminating Saturday service to decrease costs by approximately $9,000 per year.

Bill Breshears, Para TRAX, mentioned that the plan for the transition had been developed and approved while identifying other issues after a lot of publicity had gone out to the community.

LETTER FROM JIM MILLS, QUALITY TREE CARE, REQUESTING THE CITY REQUIRE PROOF OF STATE LICENSING FOR CERTAIN TRADES BEFORE ISSUING APPLICANTS A BUSINESS LICENSE

Susan Price, City Manager, reviewed the staff report and gave staff’s recommendation that the City Council hear the request by Jim Mills, Quality Tree Care, and provide direction to staff.

Jim Mills, Owner, Quality Tree Care, read his letter to the City Council requesting that the issue of illegal contractors who have obtained Red Bluff City Licenses be addressed and that this practice be put to a stop. Many consumers don’t know the difference between a 4 Digit City License and a 6 Digit State license and these operators put the unaware consumer at risk. He petitioned that the City of Red Bluff require proof of State License for trades requiring such before issuing the applicants a City Business License and to revoke licenses already issued to illegal operators.

The City Code can’t be changed and can’t compete with the State for regulation, but the City Attorney will investigate options such as a disclaimer or alternatives to call a license by a different name and bring back to a future City Council Meeting.

Various licensed contractors supported Jim Mills and shared their similar experiences with their businesses in the community and encouraged the City Council to address this issue for the good of the community.

Informational

LETTER OF RETIREMENT FROM PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR AND AUTHORIZATION TO BEGIN RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Susan Price, City Manager, reviewed the staff report and gave staff’s recommendation that the that the City Council accept the retirement letter from Parks and Recreation Director Rob Gibbs effective December 17, 2004 and authorize staff to begin the recruitment process to fill the position.

Thanks were made to Robb Gibbs for his years of service to the City of Red Bluff and appreciation for all of the hard work he has done for the community. City Council mentioned that it will be a tough job to fill his shoes as he gets the job done and will be missed by everyone.

M/S/C Stevens, Frey to accept the retirement letter from Parks and Recreation Director Rob Gibbs effective December 17, 2004 and authorize staff to begin the recruitment processes to fill the position.

AYES: Councilmembers: Avilla, Flynn, Frey and Stevens

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT AMENDMENT NO. 3 WITH PACIFIC MUNICIPAL CONSULTANTS TO PREPARE ADDITIONAL TRANSPORTATIONAL ANALYSIS ON THE SOUTH MAIN STREET RAILROAD UNDERPASS AS PART OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE WAL-MART SUPERCENTER PROJECT; LUTHER ROAD/MILL STREET.

Charlie Mullen, Planning Director, reviewed the staff report and gave staff’s recommendation to:

1. Approve Contract Amendment No. 3 with PMC, for the additional EIR transportation analysis relating to the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter store.

2. Direct PacLand to make a full payment deposit in the amount of $32,423 to cover the entire cost of the consultant services.

3. Authorize the Planning Director to sign Contract Amendment #3 with PMC, for the additional EIR transportation analysis relating to the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter store.

4. Approve a future credit toward Development Impact fees for the Wal-Mart Supercenter project in an amount equal to $24,779, the cost of South Main Street underpass analysis. (Note: This credit would be contingent on receiving City approval and implementation of said project at this location).

The high impact fee was questioned and it was explained that this is based on the scale of the job. This is a study and not the beginning of a plan and it is to see if this is appropriate and whether it is feasible to have Wal-Mart be required to expand the RR underpass.

1. Approve Contract Amendment No. 3 with PMC, for the additional EIR transportation analysis relating to the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter store.

2. Direct Pacland to make a full payment deposit in the amount of $32,423 to cover the entire cost of the consultant services.

3. Authorize the Planning Director to sign Contract Amendment #3 with PMC, for the additional EIR transportation analysis relating to the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter store.

4. Approve a future credit toward Development Impact fees fro the Wal-Mart Supercenter project in an amount equal to $24,779, the cost of South Main Street underpass analysis. (Note: This credit would be contingent on receiving City approval and implementation of said project at this location).

AYES: Councilmembers: Avilla, Flynn, Frey and Stevens

Susan Price, City Manager, reviewed the staff report and gave staff’s recommendation that the City Council review the City Council Handbook for new and current City Councilmembers.

It was discussed that this handbook looks at the chain of command and is a good reminder of the protocol to be followed in the meetings for the City. It was mentioned that providing a workshop after the first of the year was a good way of reminding old and new of the importance of following the City Council guidelines in the handbook.

Informational

COMMITTEE REPORTS/COUNCIL COMMENTS

Susan Price, City Manager, mentioned having lunch with John Blacklock, Interim County Administrative Officer, and the importance of collaborating with the County.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business Mayor Flynn adjourned the meeting at 9:20 p.m. to October 19, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the Red Bluff City Council Chambers.