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Home My WebLink About2013-11-12; City Council; MinutesMINUTES MEETING OF: CITY OF CARLSBAD CITY COUNCIL (Regular Meeting) DATE OF MEETING: November 12, 2013 TIME OF MEETING: 9:00 a.m. PLACE OF MEETING: 1635 Faraday Avenue, Room 173A, Carisbad, CA 92008 CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Hall called the Meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. Present: Council Members Hall, Packard, Wood, Douglas. Absent: Council Member Blackburn. PUBUC COMMENT: None COUNCIL REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Mayor Hall and Council Members reported on activities and meetings of some committees and sub- committees of which they are members. DEPARTMENTAL AND CITY MANAGER REPORTS: 1. AB #21-416 - PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT NEEDS ASSESSMENT DRAFT REPORT. Chris Hazeltine, Parks and Recreation Director, and consultant, Mr. Neelay Bhatt, presented a Comprehensive Action Plan (copy on file in the office ofthe City Clerk) including a survey results summary. In response to an inquiry from Mayor Pro Tem Packard, Mr. Bhatt responded that the survey sample was randomly selected among Carlsbad citizens. A mix of people in each household was represented with a total of 1600 surveys distributed to Carlsbad residents. This is recognized as a statistically reliable and representative sampling size. Carlsbad resident. Jack Nelson, distributed a report (copy on file in the office ofthe City Clerk), and provided his opinion on the quality ofthe Needs Assessment report. Mr. Bhatt responded to Mr. Nelson's concerns, noting the survey reliability was supported in the Needs Assessment Report, pages 36 through 40. CaHsbad residents, Cathy Brindell, Trudy Stapieton and Al Bell spoke in support of converting some of the existing tennis courts to pickle ball courts. Ms. Stapieton provided a rendering of a pickle ball court along with a photo CD (copies of both are on file in the office of the City Clerk). Diane Nygaard spoke in support of trails and open space, access to them, and strategic location in each quadrant ofthe city. Council Member Wood expressed concern about safety with regard to the Outdoor Adventure Activity Parks (see page 6 ofthe presentation). November 12, 2013 Carlsbad City Council Meeting Page 2 Mr. Bhatt said that the design and construction on an adventure park project would meet the best possible safety measures. Mayor Pro Tem Packard asked about the timeline and anticipated costs associated with the Comprehensive Action Plan. Mr. Hazeltine responded that this was an early stage analysis and if Council approved moving forward, the next step would entail a feasibility study. Council Member Douglas asked about opportunities for sponsorship. Mr. Hazeltine explained that an item regarding corporate marketing concepts and the use of sponsors would be presented at the next council meeting, scheduled for November 19, 2013. In response to an inquiry from Mayor Hall, Mr. Hazeltine told Council an acreage report would be presented at the meeting on December 17, 2013. RECESS: Mayor Hall announced a recess at 10:07 a.m. with four Council Members present. RECONVENE: Mayor Hall reconvened the meeting at 10:13 a.m. with four Council Members present. 2. AB #21-420 - PRQJECT UPDATE ON THE CITY'S HIGHER EDUCATION INITIATIVE FROM K. BACKUS AND ASSOCIATES Kathy Dodson, Community and Economic Development Director, introduced Karen Backus from K. Backus and Associates. A PowerPoint presentation was provided (copy on file in the office ofthe City Clerk) by Hugh O'Neill and Steve Jacobs from Appleseed. Discussion ensued with regard to meeting the employment needs ofthe Carlsbad technology businesses, particularly the need for highly qualified personnel with engineering degrees, establishing partnerships with CaHsbad businesses to cleaHy define what engineering disciplines are most in demand, and to engage the business community in the process of raising CaHsbad's name recognition nationally. Council Member Douglas asked about the return on investment and crowd funding. Mr. Jacobs responded that the next step in the process would include a comprehensive study including what Carlsbad may expect in return for its investment in a higher education institution. 3. AB #21-421 - UPDATE ON THE CITY'S CODE ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM EFFORTS. Debbie Fountain, Director of Housing and Neighborhood Services, provided a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file in the office ofthe City Clerk). November 12, 2013 Carlsbad City Council Meeting Page 3 Ms. Fountain explained that due to an increase in the volume of neighborhood disputes and code violations, GOEnforce has been implemented which allows citizens to use a telephone application to report violations and allows Code Enforcement Officers to respond and to track violations. Ms. Fountain informed Council that code enforcement is mainly complaint driven because Carlsbad only has one code enforcement officer. Zoning and land use violations have prompted a review of architectural guidelines, a more stnngent inspection of building permits and the use of light duty police officers responding to code violations. Council made the following recommendations: • Floor area to land ratios need to be established. • Consider licensing and inspection of rental units or consider a requirement for every landlord to register their property or require them to have a business license. • Consider how to monitor and respond to issues pertaining to bank owned properties that are not being maintained. Further discussion made public some ofthe complaints received from citizens, e.g. single family homeowners converting their property to multiple units and single family homeowners renting out rooms, resulting in parking issues and excess use of public utilities. Mayor Hall suggested code enforcement proceed in steps: • Be responsive. • Gray areas in the code need to be rectified and clearly defined. • Single family homes must be for single families and hold homeowners accountable for that. • Building large homes and converting them into units cannot be allowed. Review and make certain codes and permits are clearly defined. • Diligently enforce the recently updated sign ordinance. Mayor Pro Tem Packard recommended that staff be aware when a lack of compliance is evident and it becomes clear there is a lack of goodwill. At that threshold the enforcement should carry with it some strong penalties. He suggested that code violations should be responded to swiftly and monitored closely for ongoing compliance. Council Member Wood agreed and suggested the staff proceed with these recommendations and in the future, if violations are not curtailed, architectural guidelines should be revised. 4. AB #21-422 - QUARTERLY CITY COUNCIL PRIORITY PROJECTS UPDATE Greg Hermann, Assistant to the City Manager, provided a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file in the office ofthe City Clerk). Council Member Douglas requested that Ms. Dodson, Community and Economic Development Director, arrange a meeting with the Village Merchants to update them about concerns over lighting, signage, and the farmer's market. Mayor Hall requested the City Manager prioritize all ofthe council projects. November 12, 2013 Carlsbad City Council Meeting Page 4 PUBUC COMMENT: None CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: None CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS: None ANNOUNCEMENTS: None ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of October 15, 2013 was adjourned at 11:51a.m. Barbara Engleson City Clerk