HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-09-21; City Council; MinutesSPECIAL MEETING OF:
DATE OF MEETING:
TIME OF MEETING:
PLACE OF MEETING:
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP
September 21,2005
11 :00 a.m. - 1 :00 p.m.
1635 Faraday Ave, Room 173A
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 11:OO A.M. and all Council Members were
present as were the City Manager and Assistant City Attorney.
The Mayor called for reports. Mayor Pro Tem Hall reported on the Rancho del Oro
interchange project at State Highway 78 for which the City of Oceanside is lead agency.
He requested discussion on this issue, which will be placed on the regular City Council
agenda for October 4,2005.
The Mayor reported on the desalination project and passed out an article entitled
“Desalination Plants/Coastal Commission Tries a New Power Grab” from the August 17,
2005 edition of the San Diego Union.
The Mayor then called for a discussion of downtown bars, nightclubs, and other
nighttime activities. The City Manager called on Building and Code Enforcement Manager Pat Kelley to introduce the discussion. He then introduced Housing and
Redevelopment Director Debbie Fountain who discussed the vision statement for the
Village and potential conflicts among desired uses and existing uses and the current
level of enforcement.
Police Chief Zoll and Capt. Mike Shipley explained efforts to enforce existing laws.
Capt. Shipley explained that there are various state and local laws that are being
enforced. Fire Marshall Karyn Vaudreuil explained that a deputy fire marshal has been
present at local bars since March 2005 in order to enforce state permits limiting
occupancy, which are primarily designed for safety purposes. The limitations are based
on the size of the building and she explained the history of non-compliance mostly
between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.
Building and Code Enforcement Manager Kelley made some suggestions for
addressing the situation:
A. Strengthen land use permits language.
B. Strengthen existing City ordinances.
C. Consider new ordinances dealing with entertainment.
D. Approve additional resources for safety efforts, which may include the
addition of personnel or authorization of overtime for consistent, persistent
enforcements including misdemeanor citations and arrests.
E. Consider the public nuisance process as an enforcement tool.
In answer to questions raised by Mayor Pro Tem Hall, Det. Jay Eppel explained that
there are 10-20 nightly arrests for drunk in public and 1 or 2 arrests for battery. Fire
Marshall Vaudreuil explained that her department has been issuing warnings and that,
effective October 11, 2005 when the new ordinance takes effect, will issue citations for
occupancy viola ti ons.
In answer to questions by Council Member Packard Fire Marshall Vaudreuil explained
that a bar can be shut down and the Fire Code permits immediate evacuation and the
cessation of activities that cause overcrowding.
The Mayor inquired into Alcoholic Beverage Control (“ABC“) license enforcement.
Police Chief Zoll explained that the City can assist the ABC with its enforcement cases
and will continue to support and supplement the efforts by that state department. In
response to questions by Council Member Kulchin, Det. Eppel explained that problems begin after 10 p.m. when certain downtown bars convert existing restaurants to full-on
bars which results in overcrowding, fights, drunkenness in public, urinating in public,
and other criminal activities.
The Mayor explained that he and Mayor Pro Tem Hall had previously held a meeting
with downtown owners and operators and explained possible consequences. The City
Council directed the City Attorney to draft an entertainment ordinance for the Council’s
consideration as an additional tool to addressing these problems.
The City Manager explained that he will request additional interim resources to address
this situation.
The Mayor then called for a working lunch at 11 :58 a.m. and called for a discussion and
update of the proposed community swim complex at Alga Norte Park. The City
Manager introduced Parks and Recreation Director Ken Price who introduced the item
and summarized the background and history of the Alga Norte Community Park Master
Plan with the aid of a slide presentation. He further discussed the history of the Park
and the history of the master plan process. Mr. Price introduced Pat Caughey who is a
principal in the landscape architecture and environmental planning firm of Wimmer,
Yamada and Caughey who explained the components of the project with the aid of
charts. He requested additional input from the Council for the design and construction
documents. Mr. Caughey introduced Scott Bradstreet who explained the costs of
deferring some components of the project. Mr. Caughey explained that parking was
adequate for all proposed uses consisting of 550 spaces.
The Council then held a discussion on the options and directed the matter be placed on
the regular Council agenda for reconsideration to select option 1 which would include
the construction of all components of the park simultaneously. Mr. Caughey then
explained the selection of the recommended skate board and dog park sites and after
discussion Council directed that these two proposed locations be exchanged and that
this be added to the agenda bill for Council’s discussion, consideration and action.
The Mayor then called for public comment. Mr. Brad Hilliker of the firm of Wimmer,
Yamada and Caughey addressed the Council indicating the considerations upon which
the recommended locations of the skate board park and the dog park were made.
There were no other public comments.
The Mayor thanked all members of the Council and staff for their thoughtful participation
and input into this workshop and adjourned the special meeting at 1 :I 0 p.m.
wtfull y submitted,
RONALD R. BALL
City Attorney
as Clerk Pro Tern for the meeting