HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-03-18; City Council; MinutesMINUTES
MEETING OF: CITY OF CARLSBAD CITY COUNCIL
DATE OF MEETING: March 18, 2014
TIME OF MEETING: 9:00a.m.
PLACE OF MEETING: 1635 Faraday Avenue, Room 173A, Carlsbad, CA 92008
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Hall called the Meeting to order at 9:00a.m.
ROLL CALL: Present: Council Members Hall, Packard, Wood, Schumacher and Blackburn.
Absent: None.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Carol Scurlock spoke in opposition to the planned re-striping of Carlsbad Boulevard, which will
narrow traffic lanes to allow for a widening of the bicycle lane.
DEPARTMENTAL AND CITY MANAGER REPORTS:
1. AB #21,533-PRESENTATION OF PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS AND THE EXTREME PLANCHECK
PROCESS.
Glen Van Peski, Community Economic Development Director, and Mike Peterson, Development
Services Manager, delivered a Powerpoint presentation (copy on file in the City Clerk's office)
briefing the council members about "Development Process Improvements" related specifically
to the expansion plan for ViaSat. Staff successfully reduced the planning process timeline from
a norm of 30 days, to a target goal of 18 days, with a final optimum completion in only 9 days.
ViaSat representative, Gary Dorris, thanked staff for assistance in co-ordinating the ViaSat
timeline. He noted it was a highly collaborative platform and ViaSat was completely satisfied
with the process staff implemented.
Mayor Hall asked how the city can establish this expedited process as the norm rather than the
exception. Mr. Van Peski responded that staff is working on criteria to identify projects that
would qualify without compromising the service provided to smaller businesses and developers.
A complete review in only 9 days is probably not reasonable to perform at current staffing levels,
but staff is committed to improving the process. Council member Wood asked if staff would find
it more efficient if departments were united under one building. Mr. Van Peski noted there is
value in having staff in a central location, even with all of the electronic resources available,
sometimes there is no substitute for first person interaction. Council member Schumacher asked
how dealing with outside agencies, e.g. CaiTrans, would impact the review and approval process.
Mr. Van Peski agreed that whenever an outside agency is part of the mix, delays may be
inevitable, but through coordination with our partners and educating them about the process,
he believes minimal delays can be realized.
March 18, 2014 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 2
2. AB #21,532-PRESENTATION ON POTENTIAL VOTER APPROVED CAPITAL PROJECTS SUBJECT
TO PROPOSITION H.
Director of Finance, Chuck McBride, delivered a Powerpoint presentation (copy on file in the City
Clerk's office), updating council members about a ballot initiative scheduled for the November,
2014 election cycle. This ballot initiative's proposed actions include;
• Ballot Measure Projects
• Ballot Measure Repealing Prop H
• Ballot Escalating the Prop H Limit
Mr. McBride reviewed the history of Proposition H, passed by voters in 1982, to limit general
fund expenditures to $1 million. In 2002 voters approved Proposition C, authorizing the city to
spend more than $1 million on a new swimming pool complex (Alga Norte Community Park), trail
linkages and open space, a new safety training center, and extending a portion of Cannon Road,
east of College.
The planned proposition would likely increase the expenditure limit to $2.5 million. Mayor Hall
asked if staff will be polling or surveying the public. Parks and Recreation Director, Chris Hazeltine
responded that a survey is not planned, though a feasibility study will be conducted.
3. DISCUSSION OF CURRENT SALARIES OF ELECTED OFFICIALS
Mayor Hall has been asked on several occasions to bring this discussion to the council.
• Mayor Pro Tern Packard stated he is not interested in pursuing this subject.
• Council Member Wood stated a review of salaries offered in other cities, based on
population, and a discussion of how elected officials have been compensated over the
years, may prove beneficial, and a review of the roles, responsibilities, and time
commitment lends itself to public awareness and provides potential candidates with
current data to better assess their interest in running for election.
• Council Member Schumacher noted that current data he has reviewed reports Carlsbad
compensation to be approximately one third of what similar councils are receiving.
• Council Member Blackburn stated that we may be eliminating a talent pool due to the
lower rate of compensation this council receives. Mr. Blackburn suggested an impartial
citizen committee be appointed to review and make recommendations to council.
• Mayor Hall stated the last review of elected official's salary was in 2009 and that was to
reduce compensation by 5 percent. Mayor Hall agreed that a third party review would
be beneficial and perhaps putting the matter out to the voters in the 2014 election would
be the best course.
City Attorney, Celia Brewer suggested the compensation package be sent to her and Assistant
City Manager, Kathy Dodson, to develop a competitive staff report. Mayor Hall polled the
members and results showed: Ayes: Blackburn, Hall, Wood. Noes: Packard, Schumacher.
Interim City Manager, Kathy Dodson, will return with a staff report at a future regular meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
March 18, 2014 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 3 ......
COUNCIL REPORTS AND COMMENTS:
Council Member Wood attended the Joint Powers Committee meeting concerning the Buena
Vista Lagoon. The county handles mosquito control and reports that due to the overgrowth of
broad-leaf cattails, the mosquito repellent is not reaching the water level, allowing the mosquitos
to thrive.
Mayor Hall announced a recess at 10:21 a.m. and subsequently adjourned to the Special Meeting of the
Carlsbad Municipal Water District Board of Directors at 10.29 a.m. Meeting reconvened at 10:52 a.m. with
all Council Members present.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: None
CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS: None
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor Pro Tern Packard announced that North County Transit District will host a /{traveling show"
on Saturday, March 22, 2014 from 8:30a.m. to 2:30p.m. Parties interested in experiencing public
transportation should meet at the San Marcos Transit Station.
Mayor Hall announced he met with Doug Manchester and Mike Hodges, owner and editor
accordingly, of the San Diego Union Tribune. North County press coverage was discussed and
Mr. Manchester and Mr. Hodges committed to improving coverage.
ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of March 18, 2014 was adjourned at
10:56 a.m.
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BARBARA ENGLESO~ ~
City Clerk