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M 04-13-98 JTTOWN OF LOS GATOS CALIFORNIA JOINT TOWN COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY April 13, 1998 Minutes TOWN COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY The Town Council/Redevelopment Agency of the Town of Los Gatos met in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 110 E. Main St., at 7:34 p.m. Monday, April 13, 1998, in regular session. ROLL CALL Present:Randy Attaway, Joanne Benjamin, Steven Blanton, Jan Hutchins, and Mayor/Chairman Linda Lubeck. Absent:None. VERBAL COMMUNICATION Chamber of Commerce Linda Asbury, 530 University Ave., #1, representing the Chamber of Commerce, introduced the new Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Sheri Lewis, 59B N. Santa Cruz Ave., who visited with the Council and spoke of the positive relationship between the Chamber and the Town. School Bus Driver Day Al Jones, 14761 Blossom Hill Road, representing School Bus Drivers of Northern California, asked the Town to support the April 28th School Bus Driver Day. JOINT BUSINESS COUNCIL/AGENCY PUBLIC HEARING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS FOR 1998 - 2003 Mayor/Chairman Lubeck stated that this was the time and place duly noted for public hearing to consider proposed Capital Improvement Programs for 1998 through 2003. TC:D8:RA041398 Town Manager, David Knapp, gave an overview of the proposed Capital Improvement Plan for 1998-2003. He noted that the Town had reduced its operating budget so as to make the proposed capital improvements possible. The strong area economy has aided the Town's ability to augment the program. Within the current economic climate the Town's sales tax and transient occupancy taxes are high and can be considered one time funding for the CIP. During times of depressed economy these funds will not be available for capital improvements. He forecast 12 to 18 months of sound economy to support the program. TC:D8:RA041398 April 13, 1998 Los Gatos, California CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS FOR 1998 - 2003/CONT. Mr. Knapp identified the revenue sources for this program as being the funds accruing in the Streets and Signals Program, the Park Program, the Public Facilities Program, the Storm Drainage Fund and the Utility Undergrounding set asides. He noted that the majority of funding, $14,000,000, has been scheduled for street improvements over five years. Council Comments: Joanne Benjamin requested work on the Wadsworth/Manzanita retaining wall. Staff responded that that could be attended to within this year's budget considering the modest scope of the project. Steven Blanton requested consideration of proposed time lines for projects to be coordinated with other proposals so that improvements will not have to be torn up to accommodate new projects. Jan Hutchins inquired as to why the program generated revenue has not been adjusted since 1968. Staff responded that increase in this revenue would now need to come before the people for a vote due to various recent legislation. Council commented that it had made a conscious decision over the last several years not to attempt to raise these revenues. The following people from the audience spoke to this issue: Bill Errico, 236 University, asked for improvements on University Ave. needed because of the impact from the busy downtown, with shops, farmer's market, the high school traffic, cross city traffic from both sides of the freeway, including freeway exit hop-scotchers, joggers, bicyclists and many more. The new homes and rehabbed homes on University feel entitled to some of the Downtown beautification funding due to the business community's impact on them. He asked that the speed on University be monitored more often and that the 25MPH limit be enforced. Staff agreed that some spot repair is needed but that the full reconstruction of University is still a few years away according to the Town Street Repair Schedule. Sidewalk repair for University is scheduled for 1998-99. Al Jones, 14761 Blossom Hill Road, would like the undergrounding completed between Union and Meadowbrook. He also requested that "Welcome to Los Gatos" signs be placed near Meadowbrook. Staff noted that the cost would be approximately $350,000. It is possible that a subdivision proposal in that area could help with an undergrounding project. Chris Potter & Lisa Mammel, 33 Tait Ave., submitted a petition signed by twenty-five of their neighbors to complete the sidewalk and gutter repairs on Tait Avenue. He spoke of the heavy cross traffic on this street by commuters in the area and because of the heavy use of St. Mary's Church. He also noted the annual bike race impacts and the large TC:D8:RA041398 April 13, 1998 Los Gatos, California numbers of visitors for Halloween who walk these sidewalks in the dark at that time. Staff noted that $405,000 was allocated to sidewalks this year, and that the majority of that funding would be for sidewalks in Almond Grove historic district. He noted that Appendix 7 of the report would be corrected to include Tait Avenue. TC:D8:RA041398 April 13, 1998 Los Gatos, California CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS FOR 1998 - 2003/CONT. Council Comments identified Glen Ridge as a street that needs a great deal of help. It is widely traveled, and is conspicuous to the immediate area residents as a street needing major reconstruction. Sharon Turzo, 16689 Magneson Loop, asked that the sidewalk project stared on Magneson Loop in 1992 be completed in 1999. Dave Riebel, 16696 Magneson Loop, asked for completion of the Magneson Loop sidewalk project. Staff noted that this area is scheduled to be completed in the 1998-99 budget cycle. Council Comments Concerning the CIP: 1)Asked for a street tour to see how the streets were evaluated and where the different streets fit on the maintenance schedule. 2)Noted page 18; under Project Justification, that the date was missing. 3)Noted page 47; under 5 Year Cost and Funding, the salary and benefits do not correlate with the program staffing. Staff spoke of the street repair schedule and of a temporary grind and patch program to fix the most immediate problems surfacing after the heavy rains. This year a new pavement index calculation will be generated to indicate the most cost effective benefits to the program. 4)Noted page 51; and agreed that a traffic consultant should be hired to perform safety study, design, monitor and evaluate striping plan for Los Gatos Boulevard. 5)Noted page 61; traffic light will only phase according to information from the grid and change if there is a vehicle waiting. 6)Noted page 69; that the unfunded item in appendix #5 will remain there and be a part of the second phase of the project defined on page 69. 7)Noted page 83; should read Bachman Park instead of Blossom Hill Park. Council noted that while the 12 inch pipes are full from the rains maintenance staff should check them and determine what would be most appropriate to replace the pipe at the Bachman Park headwall. 8)Noted page 91; Council asked that this project not occur within this year's Capital Improvement Program and that it be moved to the unfunded list. 9)Noted page 123; Council questioned the salaries and benefits denoted under the Redevelopment Agency Administration of the Housing Fund. Motion by Mr. Hutchins, seconded by Mrs. Benjamin, to close the public hearing. TC:D8:RA041398 April 13, 1998 Los Gatos, California Carried unanimously. Mayor Lubeck noted that the Capital Improvement Program would return to Council with the changes noted and be considered for adoption on May 4, 1998. TC:D8:RA041398 April 13, 1998 Los Gatos, California FINANCIAL POLICIES REVIEW/COUNCIL PRIORITIES (02.05) DIRECTION FOR 1998-1999 OPERATING BUDGET Council reviewed the Town's adopted Financial Policies and considered direction to the Town staff on Council priorities for the 1998-99 Operating Budget. Town Manager, David Knapp, made a presentation to Council which reviewed the Financial Policies that have been in place since 1992. Council Comments: Mr. Blanton asked that Council be appraised of new positions in a different context than the budget. He mentioned a system used by the community colleges. Mrs. Lubeck suggested it appear in items of interest. Mr. Blanton asked that the announcement of a position opened for hire be noted in a public forum. Council concluded that items of interest would serve for this information. Council discussed additional funding to be included in the Community Services Grants, but the conclusion was that non-profits should search for methods of independence and self sufficiency, and it would be counter productive to hamper that process. It was noted that some funds would be expended on making the Council Chambers and the Council Meetings more comfortable for the audience. The seating arrangement will be upgraded and the audio-visual equipment will help to clarify the projects for the public. REVIEW OF FISCAL YEAR 1989-90 AND FISCAL YEAR 1996-97 AUDITED (03.05) Council reviewed combined balance sheets for Fiscal Years 1989-90 and 1996-97 audited. Council considered reserve policy and concluded that the growing reserve for Economic Uncertainty was prudent during the present climate of financial security and may be needed in leaner years. Reserves are for capital outlay. They are generating income presently but could be used just as prudently to invest in community improvement projects which generate resources equal to the present returns. COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS Linda Lubeck noted that the CPUC hearing in San Francisco today was opened and adjourned very quickly by Commissioner Bylis who instructed the ALJ to inform PG&E to hire a facilitator and continued the hearing for 60 days. The facilitator was to work with the TC:D8:RA041398 April 13, 1998 Los Gatos, California community to explore the issues that have arisen. Town will request a copy of the transcript and continue to remain included in the unfolding process. Council Consensus to include this subject on the April 20th agenda to discuss the Town's role in this situation. TC:D8:RA041398 April 13, 1998 Los Gatos, California COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS/CONT. Joanne Benjamin noted a general membership meeting for the Cities Association, Thursday, June 18, 1998, which will be hosted by the Town at the Bacci Ball. There will be teams organized and our Town Council will hopefully participate. This is an event conducive to interaction between councilmembers of the participating cities Joanne Benjamin noted that the Transportation Agency of Valley Transportation is changing its committee for bicyclists. It was not working well. They had representatives from the different supervisors' districts and instead they will be organized with one per city. Fifteen people and one from the county. They are looking for bicycle commuters. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Lubeck adjourned this evening's Council/Agency Joint Meeting at 9:30 p.m. ATTEST: Marian V. Cosgrove Town Clerk Secretary to the Redevelopment Agency TC:D8:RA041398