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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-11; City Council; MinutesCITY COUNCIL Special Meeting Minutes Council Chamber 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 March 11, 2021, 9:00 A.M. CALL TO ORDER: 9:00 a.m. ROLL CALL: Hall, Blackburn, Acosta, Bhat-Patel, Schumacher. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn led the Pledge of Allegiance. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: The following individuals called into the City Council Meeting and voiced their comments for the record: Tiffani Czapinski expressed her concern with division amongst the City Council members. Ellie Arkans spoke regarding her concern with the negdtive attention from Council Member Schumacher has brought to the City Council and the City of Carlsbad and requested the City Council focus on reopening the community. Minute Motion by Mayor Hall, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn, to discuss the working relationships between City Council Members. Motion carried, 4/0/1 (Schumacher — Abstain). Council Members discussed different ways to address individual and group dynamics. City Attorney Celia Brewer and City Manager Scott Chadwick provided options for scheduling an ethics ordinance workshop. Minute Motion by Council Member Schumacher, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn, to schedule a separate workshop with a facilitator that meets individually with each Council Member and focuses on behavioral dynamics to assist through the Institute for Local Government Ethics process and an ethics ordinance. Substitute Minute Motion by Mayor Hall, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn, to continue goal setting until after an ethics ordinance workshop is completed. Motion failed, 1/4 (Blackburn, Schumacher, Bhat-Patel, Acosta — No). Minute Motion by Council Member Schumacher, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn, to schedule a separate workshop with a facilitator that meets individually with each Council Member and focuses on behavioral dynamics to assist through the Institute for Local Government Ethics process and an ethics ordinance. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. Minute Motion by Mayor Hall to prioritize those goals that receive a 5/0 vote. Motion failed due to lack of a second. March 11, 2021 Carlsbad City Council Special Meeting Page 2 City Manager Chadwick announced that Intergovernmental Affairs Director Jason Haber, Communication & Engagement Director Kristina Ray, and Assistant to the City Manager Sheila Cobian would be facilitating the meeting. Intergovernmental Affairs Director Haber presented and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation that explained the process for the day (on file in the Office of the. City Clerk). City Manager Chadwick presented and reviewed a PowerPoint -presentation on resource allocation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). AGENDA TOPIC: 1. Finalize goals under three core value areas approved by the City Council on Feb. 11, 2021 •Discuss next steps for existing City Council goals •Discuss proposed new goals, gain clarity around each •Approve goals to move forward in the process •Prioritize goals NOTE: Segment to address conflict of interest: Village and Barrio Plan Lower the railroad in a trench Others TBD Intergovernmental Affairs Director Haber announced Mayor Hall would be excused from the meeting for the first part of the presentation and discussion of the item due to a potential conflict of interest with the first two goals. Mayor Hall left the meeting at 9:53 a.m. Intergovernmental Affairs Director Haber presented and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). In response to an inquiry from Council Member Acosta, Intergovernmental Affairs Director Haber explained that currently, there does not appear to be any potential grant-related funding sources currently available for the rail project. Council Members expressed their thoughts and concerns regarding funding and prioritization of lowering of the railroad in a trench project. Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, to add lowering the railroad in a trench to the list that will be considered and voted on later in the discussion for prioritization. Motion carried, 4/0/1 (Hall — Absent). Council Members discussed the prioritization of the Village and Barrio Master Plan goal. March 11, 2021 Carlsbad City Council Special Meeting Page 3 Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, to include and consider the Village & Barrio Plan in the list of priorities that will be ranked later in the discussion. Intergovernmental Affairs Director Haber requested that the City Council provide more developed language and intent behind advancing the Village & Barrio Master Plan goal in an effort to not recuse the Mayor again later in the discussion. In response to an inquiry from Council Member Schumacher, Community Development DirectorJeff Murphy explained staff's goal to present a plan in May 2021 regarding the Village & Barrio reform package that will include options and resources for City Council's consideration. Council Member Schumacher explained that the implementation of decorative and safety lighting in the Barrio area, the implementation of parking management in the Village & Barrio Master Plan (VBMP) area, the implementation of the Grand Promenade study, and the prioritization of the Village & Barrio Master Plan reform package for City Council consideration, including the contemplation of a parking structure should, be considered as part of the goal objective priorities. She also explained that traffic calming measures were not listed as part of the goal objective priorities as these efforts are currently underway. Council Members expressed their thoughts and agreement with Council Member Schumacher's feedback. Motion by Council Member Schumacher, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn, to expedite the implementation of decorative and safety lighting in the Barrio area, the implementation of parking management in the Village & Barrio Master Plan (VBMP) area, the implementation of study of the Grand Promenade study, and the prioritization of the Village & Barrio Master Plan (VBMP) reform package for City Council consideration including the contemplation of a parking structure. Motion carried, 4/0/1 (Hall — Absent). Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn declared a recess at 10:24 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 10:31 a.m. Mayor Hall returned to the meeting at 10:31 a.m. In response to an inquiry from Intergovernmental Affairs Director Haber, Council Members discussed the prioritization of working with state legislators and California State Parks to execute a long-term coastline management agreement. Motion by Mayor Hall, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn, to eliminate prioritizing working with state legislators and California State Parks to execute a long-term coastline management agreement as a goal. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. March 11, 2021 Carlsbad City Council Special Meeting Page 4 In response to an inquiry from Intergovernmental Affairs Director Haber, Council Members discussed the prioritization of amending the duties of the Traffic Safety Commission to include advising the City Council on mobility and safety matters related to pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular modes of travel through and within Carlsbad as a goal priority and marking it as complete. Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Blackburn, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, to mark the existing goal of amending the duties of the Traffic Safety Commission to include advising the City Council on mobility and safety matters related to pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular modes of travel through and within Carlsbad as a goal priority and marking it as complete. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. In response to an inquiry from Intergovernmental Affairs Director Haber, Council Members discussed the prioritization of breaking ground on a new city hall at a site designated for a future civic center complex as a long-term goal. Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, that staff return with a reduced number of potential locations for a new city hall and civic center from four to two or select a preferred site. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. 2. Develop short- and long-term objectives for top priority goals •Discuss potential objectives •Review current resource allocation for affected work groups and reprioritize as needed •Approve short-term objectives to proceed to work plan stage in FY 2021-22 •Remaining objectives will be considered during fall 2021 strategic planning process NOTE: Segment to address conflicts of interest as needed Communication & Engagement Director Kristina Ray presented and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). Council Members expressed their thoughts regarding considering a goal to "Engage the community through a citizens committee to create a new plan to manage growth in Carlsbad in a way that maintains an excellent quality of life." They also discussed wording for the housing objective. Motion by Council Member Schumacher, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, to include the word "emphasizing" in the objective of "ensuring adequate housing supply, emphasizing affordable housing." Motion carried, 3/2 (Hall, Blackburn — No). Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, to consider adopting the goal to "Engage the community through a citizens committee to create a new plan to manage growth in Carlsbad in a way that maintains an excellent quality of life" in the list of priorities that will be ranked later in the discussion with the objectives below: •Inform and engage with the community on issues related to growth management March 11, 2021 Carlsbad City Council Special Meeting Page 5 •Ensure adequate housing supply, emphasizing affordable housing •Ensure healthy and safe neighborhoods •Maintain the city's fiscal responsibility and stability by shifting to new ways of funding and maintaining infrastructure and services, such as traffic and mobility •Determine/update facilities standards Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. Council Members expressed their thoughts regarding their consideration for goal objectives to reduce homelessness including the following: •Fully funding, staffing, and implementing the city's Homeless Response Plan; create specific and measurable targets and timelines for reducing homelessness (within first two years) •Preventing and ending homelessness among youth and veterans and report back to the community •Increasing social services and social workers •Partnering with the County of San Diego •Work with entities within our city and region to increase transitions to permanent supporting housing •Advocate for legislative changes to effectively address homelessness •Prevent homelessness by supporting those at risk of becoming homeless and/or losing their housing •Work through a regional group to develop a regional action plan that includes integrated services within and among cities •Develop an encampment policy •Focus on trauma informed care •Focus on aggressive individuals to address their needs (substance abuse, mental health, other); explore expansion of La Posada •Complete financial analysis to identify opportunities for quickest results; no visible encampments •Identifying city and regional goals In response to an inquiry from Council Member Schumacher, Senior Program Manager Holly Nelson provided an update regarding anticipated housing resources and various strategies to address homelessness. She also explained that City Council will consider possible programs to address homelessness and the formation of a standing homeless action subcommittee at the March 23, 2021 City Council Meeting. In response to an inquiry from Council Member Bhat-Patel, Senior Program Manager Nelson explained the pandemic has added difficulty in determining the extent of homelessness in the region and that assigning a number to reduce it is difficult due to multiple data points received. She explained that although it's difficult to identify metrics, they must be decided on to effectively measure changes. March 11, 2021 Carlsbad City Council Special Meeting Page 6 Motion by Council Member Schumacher, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, to consider adopting the goal "to reduce homelessness unsheltered population, among those who want help, by 50% within five years, with quarterly reports until we decrease the unsheltered homeless population or five years" in the list of priorities that will be ranked later in the discussion. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. Mayor Hall declared a lunch recess at 12:14 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 12:45 p.m. Council Member discussion ensued regarding the topic to continue to cultivate a prosperous community. The objectives discussed included: •Continuing the COVID-19 response, recovery, and revitalization of the business sector •Attract core industry clusters •Cultivate a business friendly environment •Support workforce development, including engaging with community members and youth and include just transitions in jobs •Support community members' ability to participate in the city's prosperity •Engage youth in economic revitalization •Ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion are incorporated into economy •Focus on local, small businesses •Actively engage with the business community, seeking input on their needs and priorities •Promote use of technology, post-pandemic, to do business and work with the community in virtual environments •Develop creative ways to engage with the business community, such as pop-up events and outdoor activations, such as outdoor dining Motion by Council Member Acosta, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, to consider adopting "continue to cultivate a prosperous community" as a City Council goal priority in the list of priorities that will be ranked later in the discussion with the objectives below: •Continuing the COVID-19 response, recovery, and revitalization of the business sector •Attract core industry clusters •Cultivate a business friendly environment •Support workforce development, including engaging with community members and youth and include just transitions in jobs •Support community members' ability to participate in the city's prosperity •Engage youth in economic revitalization •Ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion are incorporated into economy •Focus on local, small businesses •Actively engage with the business community, seeking input on their needs and priorities March 11, 2021 Carlsbad City Council Special Meeting Page 7 •Promote use of technology, post-pandemic, to do business and work with the community in virtual environments •Develop creative ways to engage with the business community, such as pop-up events and outdoor activations, such as outdoor dining Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. Council Member discussion ensued regarding the consideration of providing superior public service as a City Council goal priority and the objectives of the goal. Motion by Council Member Acosta, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, to consider adopting "provide superior public service" as a City Council ,goal priority and conduct a facilitated City Council workshop to work on team building, City Council communication and an ethics ordinance to support the delivery of superior public service with supporting objectives to include engaging a facilitator .who can incorporate implicit bias training; ethics; and City Council communication. Motion,.carried unanimously', 5/0. Council Member discussion ensued regarding the creation of a comprehensive coastal plan as-a City Council goal priority. Mayor Hall explained his concern with including the sea level rise exclusion-zone as an objective due to unknown information of its impact on private property devaluation. City Council concurrence to create a comprehensive coastal plan as a City Council goal priority with the objectives of local Coastal Plan changes; address bluff and beach erosion; sea level rise adaptation strategy/shoreline management plan; and hold a workshop to consider forwarding a sea level rise exclusion zone to the state legislature. Motion carried; 4/1 (Hall — No). Council Member discussion ensued regarding promoting sustainability and natural resources as a City Council goal priority and the objectives of the goal. In response to an inquiry from Mayor Hall, Environmental Manager James Wood explained that the City Council could revisit the microgrid study from a few years ago for the Orion Center. Deputy City Manager Paz Gomez added that currently the scope of the Maerkle Reservoir Solar Study includes feasibility, but that it does not include battery storage. She added that due to funding constraints, the project has been shifted to Fiscal Year 2022-23. In response to an inquiry from Mayor Hall, Intergovernmental Affairs Director Haber explained there have been conceptual discussions in relation to the Clean Energy Alliance (CEA) and partnership opportunities for investment. In response to an inquiry from Mayor Hall, Council Member Schumacher explained that microgrids include solar field and battery storage as well as solar, hydroelectric generator, and battery storage. March 11, 2021 Carlsbad City Council Special Meeting Page 8 In response to a suggestion from Council Member Acosta, City Manager Chadwick explained that the foundational elements for all goals that were suggested at the Feb. 11, 2021 Goal Setting meeting included diversity, equity, and inclusion; meaningful and early public engagement; and technology infrastructure tools. City Council included the objectives below for promoting sustainability and natural resources: •Clean Energy Alliance (CEA) •Prioritize implementation of the projects in the Sustainable Mobility Plan •Improve mobility and connectivity for all •Green House Gas (GHG) reduction. •Parks: Ensure we are a clean and green community and protect habitat •Ensure we are reviewing and implementing the Climate Action Plan (CAP)/Revisit CAP and look for opportunities to improve it •Consider single use plastics ordinance and Styrofoam •Consider environmental security element to the General Plan (like a master plan to •consolidate and organize other sustainability plans) . Consider local energy generation projects, microgrids (e.g. solar field + battery storage = microgrid, solar + hydroelectric generator + battery storage) •Transition to 100% clean and green city Locally generated water supply •Engage the public: in a new way of disposing of organic waste, based on new laws and environmental benefits Motion by Council Member Schumacher, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, to consider promoting sustainability and natural resources as a City Council goal priority. Motion. carried unanimously, 5/0. Council Member Bhat-Patel spoke regarding creating a director position to lead diversity, equity, and inclusion within the city organization. Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn spoke regarding bringing the Fire Department into conformance with the Standards of Cover study as a standalone goal and not under growth management. In response to an inquiry from Mayor Hall, City Manager Chadwick explained that there is a need and growing trend throughout the United States to hire for diversity, equity, and inclusion job positions and that he would like to receive feedback from the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee before a decision is made on creating a position at the city. In response to an inquiry from Mayor Hall, Fire Chief Michael Calderwood explained that the Fire Department will be presenting various options to the City Council regarding future coverage and growth strategies for fire safety coverage at a later date. March 11, 2021 Carlsbad City Council Special Meeting Page 9 In response to an inquiry from Mayor Hall, City Attorney Brewer explained that there could be a potential need for a vote from the public depending on the cost of the site selected for fire services. Motion by Council Member Bhat-Patel, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn, to consider creating a position to lead diversity, equity, and inclusion within the city organization and bring the Fire Department into conformance with the Standards of Cover study as City Council goal priorities. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. Mayor Hall declared a recess at 2:07 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 2:14 p.m. City Attorney Brewer explained that ,Mayor Hall would be recusing himself from the disCussion and decision regarding the prioritization of the Village & Barrio Master Plan (VBMP) and trenching items due to a potential conflict of interest as well as the conditions for his participation. The City Council participated in a goal prioritization exercise where they each directed staff where to place their digital stickers under. Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Blackburn, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, to prioritize the following and their respective objectives as City Council goals: •Engaging the community through a citizens committee to create a new plan to manage growth in Carlsbad in a way that maintains an excellent quality of life •Reduce homelessness unsheltered populations, among those who want help, by 50% within five years, with quarterly reports until we decrease the unsheltered homeless population or five years •Bring Fire Department into conformance Standards of Cover evaluation •Conducted a facilitated City Council workshop to work on team building and City Council communication and an ethics ordinance to support the delivery of superior public service Motion carried unanimously, 5/0. This item was heard after Item No. 4 3.Review "bike rack" topics and discuss next steps This item was heard before Item No. 3 4.Project tracking dashboard Chief Innovation Officer David Graham presented how the progress of goals, priorities, and projects were tracked in the past as well as the next steps and tools staff will use for visualizing data in the future. March 11, 2021 Carlsbad City Council Special Meeting Page 10 This item was heard after Item No. 4 3.Review "bike rack" topics and discuss next steps Council Member Schumacher requested that staff prioritize discussing how to use minute motions more efficiently in prioritizing action balanced with staff capacity and workload from the "bike rack." Council Member Acosta suggested that this topic be incorporated into the team building and ethics workshop under the goal of superior public service. Mayor Hall concurred. In response to an inquiry from Mayor Hall, City Manager Chadwick explained he believed staff workload and capacity can be adjusted to meet City Council's priorities. This item was heard before Item No. 3 4.Project tracking dashboard 5.Remaining public comments There were no additional public comments. 6.Closing comments City Council members made their closing comments. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Special Meeting of March 11, 2021 was adjourned at 2:51 p.m. Mia De Marzo Deputy City Clerk