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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-07-16; City Council; MinutesMINUTES MEETING OF: CITY OF CARLSBAD CITY COUNCIL DATE: July 16,2013 TIME: 9:00 A.M. PLACE: 1635 Faraday Avenue, Room 173A, Carlsbad, CA 92008 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Hall called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. ROLL CALL was taken by the City Clerk as follows: Present: Hall, Packard, Blackburn, Wood. Absent: Douglas. CONSENT CALENDAR: None REGIONAL REPORTS: None 1. AB #21.298 - COMMUNITY GARDEN The City Manager, John Coates, introduced Mr. Hazeltine, Parks and Recreation Director. Mr. Hazeltine provided the power point presentation (copies on file in the City Clerk's office) and led the discussion on the proposed Community Garden to be constructed on an existing site located within Calavera Community Park. PUBLIC COMMENT: Five citizens spoke in favor of the Community Garden: Daymienne Deem, Patrice Smerdu, Lisa Roop, Jay Klopfenstein, and Ed Scarpelli (on behalf of the Rotary Clubs ofCarlsbad). Mayor Hall asked Mr. Scarpelli if the Rotary Clubs would be willing to absorb some ofthe costs to develop and maintain the garden and Mr. Scarpelli responded that members are willing to help with the design and construction, they have spoken to a Lowe's representative and they agreed they would be willing to help with manpower. No specifics as to what Lowe's might provide were given. Questions and answers centered around outreach to the community, local school's student body participation, and what can be expected from organizations and/or community members and leaders to help support and eventually fully fund the garden in the near future. Mayor Hall made several comments suggesting that a group such as the Carlsbad Community Gardens Collaborative (CCGC) could evolve to take on a leadership role in the maintenance, outreach, and funding requirements ofthis community garden. Mayor Hall cited other similar organizations, such as the Carlsbad Visitors Bureau and Sister Cities whose operational and fiscal obligations gradually became self-sufficient. Councilmember Wood noted many ofthe advantages provided through community gardens, including; education, recreation, healthy nutrition, community connectivity, intergenerational interaction, and the opportunity to assist charitable organizations, such as Brother Bennos, with food donations. She added that a concern would be water use/conservation. Mayor Hall directed Parks and Recreation staff to develop a plan to promote a group, such as the CCGC, to eventually assume the leadership role, so that future gardens will not require the city contribution being presented to Council for approval for this garden. Further, to develop a plan to promote the future sustainability for this garden. Mayor Hall noted that community groups could approach local companies, such as Lowe's and Home Depot to lend support. Mayor Pro Tem Packard requested a promotion to schools, including faith based schools, to expand the outreach and create opportunities for support and partnerships be scheduled on a future agenda. Mr. Hazeltine added that staff can continue with the needs assessment for both the existing community garden and the proposed garden and will proceed with a more comprehensive plan to achieve cost recovery. City manager, John Coates, requested staff to present this plan in approximately 90 days. ACTION: On a motion bv Mayor Hail, council approved AB #21-298. Model C. ("New Smerdu Model"). AYES: Hall. Packard, Wood. Blackburn NOES: None ABSENT: Douglas 2. AB #21.299 - PET ADOPTION AND ANIMAL ADVOCACY City Manager, John Coates, introduced Fiona Everett, Management Analyst, Carlsbad Police Department and Harold Holmes, Deputy Director, County of San Diego Department of Animal Services. Ms. Everett began the power point presentation (copies on file in the City Clerk's office) addressing how the City of Carlsbad currently handles animal control. On page 2 ofthe power point, Ms. Everett noted response time benchmarks are one hour for priority 1 calls and 72 hours for priority 2 calls. Mr. Holmes presented the next component and noted that The Department of Animal Services has over 500 volunteers and partners with 25 rescue organizations, all of whom must meet stringent standards and are also subject to inspections. Councilmember Blackburn asked how many cats and dogs can the Carlsbad shelter house and what percentage ofthe time is the shelter at or beyond capacity? Mr. Holmes responded that the shelter's capacity is 250 animals, but he did not have the percentage figures immediately available. Further discussion included the variables associated with how long an animal may be in the shelter and what steps are taken to secure a home for animals prior to euthanasia. The city and the county reach out to rescue organizations and foster programs whenever possible to place animals prior to euthanasia. however, often these facilities are also at capacity and foster programs are restricted from housing no more than a specific number of dogs by city ordinances. Carlsbad's animal control ordinance allows for no more than three dogs per residence. The county has a limit of six per residence. Councilmember Blackburn asked if Carlsbad increased the limit to four dogs per residence, and specifically restricted the fourth to be a foster placement, would that alleviate some ofthe stressors currently on foster providers? Mr. Holmes stated he thought it would help. PUBLIC COMMENT: One resident spoke in opposition to establishing an ordinance restricting retail sales of animals. Joyce Newberry, owner of California Pets located in the Westfield Shopping Mall. Ms. Newberry provided a handout, "California Pets - Westfield Plaza Camino Real" (copies on file in the City Clerk's office). Three residents spoke in favor; Valerie Ashton, founder of "Upward Dog Rescue", John Van Zante, spokesperson for Rancho Coastal Humane Society located in Encinitas, and Gina McBride. Ms. Newberry reviewed her handout and answered questions from City Council. Councilmember Wood asked if California Pets audits their breeders and Councilmember Blackburn asked how many providers do they use? Ms. Newberry responded yes, they do audit their breeders and responded they have five or six providers. Councilmember Blackburn would like four items to be addressed as they pertain to this agenda bill: 1. Open parks one day per year for adoption events. 2. Utilize a facility, such as the former "Farmer's Building" for organizations such as the "Spay and Neuter Animal Program" (SNAP is a fully equipped mobile surgical center) to provide spay and neuter services. 3. Allow animal rescue groups to take more animals - increasing the number of dogs per household to 4 and requiring the fourth addition be acquired from legitimate foster placement organizations. 4. Discontinue the retail sales of animals in Carlsbad. This would include cats, dogs, and rabbits. Councilmember Wood agreed that some underutilized space could host much needed spay and neuter services and the use of community parks to promote adoption on occasional weekends would be beneficial. These two animal advocacy items also reflect well on the City of Carlsbad and may also serve as a resource to provide education about animal care and licensing in addition to the spay/neuter and adoption benefits. Mayor Pro Tem Packard would like to know how many dogs per household neighboring cities ordinances allow. Mayor Hall would like to know the number of animal complaints received in Carlsbad. Mayor Hall suggested Council not proceed at this time on item three until further information is obtained. A(mON: Council agreed to bring items three and four back to council at the Julv 23. 2013 regular meeting. Staff was directed to proceed with a plan to be presented to Council for animal adoption events and spay and neuter events. 3. AB #21-300 - PRIVATE CORPORATE MARKETING SPONSORSHIPS AND PARTNERSHIPS Kristina Ray, Communications Manager, introduced Mr. Dan Buchanan of "The Active Network" and Ms. Ray proceeded with the power point presentation (copies on file in the City Clerk's office). Ms. Ray noted on page 7, creating long term relationships equals increased revenue and decreased administrative costs. Staff recommended starting with the first two opportunities on page 8 and introducing the last two opportunities at a later date. Ms. Ray further noted that vending rights could require a specific percentage of healthy choices be offered. Councilmember Blackburn expressed concern about the aesthetics ofthe advertisements and Ms. Ray responded that guidelines would be developed according to what the Council desires. Mayor Hall recalled that years ago "Jazz in The Park" allowed banners advertising local businesses. ACTION: Council directed staff, including the citv's legal department, to develop guidelines to be presented to Council at a later date. 4. AB -#21-301 - QUARTERLY CITY COUNCIL PRIORITY PROJECTS UPDATE City Manager, John Coates, introduced Greg Hermann, Assistant to the City Manager. Mr. Hermann announced this document in its entirety is available on the city website under the City Council link (copy on file in the City Clerk's office). Chris Hazeltine, Parks and Recreation Director, noted on page 38 that the fee schedule for the aquatic center has been presented to the community. The new aquatic supervisor position has been narrowed down to four candidates and staff is close to the final selection. Skip Hammann, Transportation Director, updated Council on the Carlsbad Coastal Corridor. Biological, environmental, traffic, and other technological studies are underway. Interviews with stakeholders, meetings/consultations with other community groups, notably "The Native American Organization" have been and continue to be held. Mr. Hammann further reported the State and the City are working well together and this partnership will be beneficial to both parties. The complexity ofthis project is clear and staff is taking all possible steps to ensure nothing is overlooked that may result in any delays. Mayor Hall announced that Council is willing to provide any necessary resources to accomplish the goal ofthis project according to the timeline established. Mr. Hammann confirmed the Environmental Review Process has been pushed out a couple of weeks, but due to extensive outreach conducted by staff, he expects the process to move along more smoothly than it may have otherwise, allowing them to make up these two weeks. Mayor Hall asked if there were any other questions and Mayor Pro Tem Packard requested Mr. Hermann provide the funding details referenced on page 18. Mayor Hall praised Mr. Coates for the outstanding job that has been done on the Council priority projects and requested that he extend his praise to all employees who have worked on these projects. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: None. CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS: None. ANNOUNCEMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of July 16, 2013 was adjourned at 11:53 a.m. Barbara Engleson City Clerk