Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-04-14; City Council; MinutesCITY COUNCIL April 14, 2020 5 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: 5 p.m. ROLL CALL: Hall, Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Schumacher. Council Chamber 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 ANNOUNCEMENT OF CONCURRENT MEETINGS: Mayor Hall announced that City Council is serving as the Carlsbad Municipal Water District Board of Directors on Departmental and City Manager Reports Item No. 6 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn led the Pledge of Allegiance. INVOCATION: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None. PRESENTATIONS: Presentation of proclamation in recognition of National Library Week. Mayor Hall read the proclamation. PUBLIC COMMENT: City Clerk Barbara Engleson read the following public comments: Kris Wright wrote about concerns regarding group public comments for virtual meetings and for City Council to consider a time read extension for group letters. James Humberstone wrote about the need to open Carlsbad parks and trails. Kelly McCormick wrote about the dangers that tobacco and marijuana users face with the ongoing COVID-19 virus. PUBLIC REPORT OF ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION: None. CONSENT CALENDAR: Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, to approve Consent Calendar Item No. 1. Motion carried unanimously, 4/0. 1. AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO AGREEMENT FOR AGUA HEDIONDA SEWER LIFT STATION -Adoption of Resolution No. 2020-060 authorizing the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 4 to the Project Agreement for the Construction of the Agua Hedionda Sewer Lift Station and April 14, 2020 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 2 Vista/Carlsbad Interceptor Sewer, Reaches VCllB-VClS between the City of Carlsbad and the City of Vista, appropriating $345,276 from the Sewer Connection Fee Fund to fund Carlsbad's share of the remaining project work, and authorizing the City Manager to approve contract documents and reimbursement payments to the City of Vista for Carlsbad's share of the remaining project work in an amount not to exceed $463,500 (Staff contact: Babaq Taj and Dave Padilla, Public Works) ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION: None. ORDINANCES FOR ADOPTION: None. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None. DEPARTMENTAL AND CITY MANAGER REPORTS: 2. OFFICIAL ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CITY COUNCIL DURING TIMES OF EMERGENCY Accept a report on the official role of the City Council during times of emergency and provide direction to staff as appropriate. (Staff contact: David Harrison, Fire) City Manager's Recommendation: Accept the report and provide direction to staff as appropriate. Fire Chief Mike Calderwood and Assistant Director of Emergency Services David Harrison presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). In response to an inquiry from Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn, City Attorney Celia Brewer explained that the City Council-City Management form of government anticipates that the City Manager implements the City Council's direction and it does not anticipate City Council to direct staff. She further explained that if task forces were to be created, it would have to be fashioned to include City Council members as ambassadors or representatives of the city position and not instructors to staff. Minute Motion by Council Member Schumacher, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn for purpose of discussion, to request that staff bring back an agenda item to discuss the implementation of four issue specific task forces to analyze public health, public safety, business workforce and community welfare. Motion failed -1/3. (Hall, Blackburn, Bhat-Patel -No) 3. PRESENTATION ON ECONOMIC EFFECT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE CITY OF CARLSBAD -Receive a presentation on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the City of Carlsbad's finances. (Staff contact: Laura Rocha, Administrative Services) City Manager's Recommendation: Receive the presentation. April 14, 2020 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 3 Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services Laura Rocha and Finance Manager Roxanne Muhlmeister presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). In response to an inquiry from Council Member Schumacher, Deputy City Manager Laura Rocha explained that going forth in the budget development for fiscal year 2021-2022, priorities would be set for Housing and Homelessness; Mobility; and Economic Revitalization. Minute Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, identifying the following City Council budget priorities for Fiscal Year 2020-2021: Housing and Homelessness; Mobility; and Economic Revitalization. Motion carried unanimously, 4/0. This item was continued from the April 7, 2020 City Council Meeting. 4. APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR COVID-19 LOCAL EMERGENCY-Adoption of Resolution No. 2020- 061 appropriating $3,000,000 from the City's Economic Uncertainty Set-Aside in the General Fund to pay for costs related to the COVID-19 local emergency. (Staff contact: Laura Rocha and Kim Riboni, Administrative Services) Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services Laura Rocha presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, to adopt Resolution No. 2020-061. Motion carried unanimously, 4/0. 5. DESIGNATE AND AUTHORIZE AGENTS TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY IN THE PROCESSING OF DISASTER CLAIMS RELATED TO COVID-19 -Adoption of Resolution No. 2020-062 designating and authorizing agents to act on behalf of the City of Carlsbad in the processing of disaster claims to obtain certain state and/or federal assistance related to COVID-19. (Staff contact: Laura Rocha and Kim Riboni, Administrative Services) City Manager's Recommendation: Adopt the resolution. Assistant Finance Director Ryan Green and Senior Accountant Kim Riboni presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). City Clerk Barbara Engleson read the following public comment: Diane Rivera wrote about her request for the City Council to make a motion to set aside funds for the establishment of further community services for the homeless community and Carlsbad citizens in need. Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, to adopt Resolution No. 2020-062. Motion carried unanimously, 4/0. April 14, 2020 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 4 6. UPDATE ON POTENTIAL FUNDING PROGRAM FOR WATER CUSTOMER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE-Receive an update on a potential funding program for water service customers that cannot pay their water bills due to financial hardship. (Staff contact: Vicki Quiram and Mario Remillard, Public Works) City Manager's Recommendation: Receive the update. Utilities Director Vicki Quiram, Finance Manager Cheryl Gerhardt and Meter Services Supervisor Mario Remillard presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). In response to an inquiry from Council Member Schumacher, Utilities Director Vicki Quiram explained that if the City Council approved the decision to defer utility payment late fees then staff would return with an agenda item related to the matter. Minute Motion by Council Member Schumacher, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, to request that staff bring back an agenda item related to authorization to defer late fees on utility bills. Motion carried unanimously, 4/0. 7. THE FLOWER FIELDS FUND GRANT PROGRAM: A REQUEST TO AWARD REMAINING FUNDS DUE TO ECONOMIC HARDSHIP CAUSED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC -Adoption of Resolution 2020-063 authorizing the award of the remaining fund balance of the Flower Fields Fund Grant Program, currently at $891,708, to The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch, dissolving the Flower Fields Grant Program, and rescinding City Council Policy No. 85. (Staff contact: Jeff Murphy, Community Development) City Manager's Recommendation: Adopt the resolution. Community Development Director Jeff Murphy presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). City Clerk Barbara Engleson read the following public comment: John Wright wrote about the possibility of giving entrance vouchers to Carlsbad residents if the City decided to give the flower fields a grant. Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, to adopt Resolution No. 2020-063. Motion carried unanimously, 4/0. April 14, 2020 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 5 8. INFORMATIONAL REPORT ON ESTIMATING THE IMPACT OF IMPLEMENTING MINUTE MOTIONS -Receive and consider an informational report on how staff plans to provide the City Council with assessments on the impact of carrying out minute motions. (Staff contact: Laura Rocha, Administrative Services) City Manager's Recommendation: Receive the report. Deputy City Manager Laura Rocha and Finance Manager Roxanne Muhlmeister presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). In response to an inquiry from Mayor Hall, City Manager Scott Chadwick explained that staff can bring back an item for City Council consideration that will include multiple options and a resolution for the Council to vote on regarding Minute Motions. Minute Motion by Mayor Hall, seconded by Council Member Schumacher, directing staff to return with a report and resolution for City Council consideration that would establish criteria for the estimation of cost and staff time to be provided to the City Council prior to taking action on minute motions and options for waiving the cost and time estimation requirement. Motion carried unanimously, 4/0. 9. REPORT ON THE CARLSBAD HOUSING TRUST FUND -Receive a report on the Carlsbad Housing Trust Fund and provide direction to staff, as applicable. (Staff contact: Dave de Cordova, Community Development) City Manager's Recommendation: Receive the report and provide direction to staff. Housing Services Manager David de Cordova presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). In response to an inquiry from Mayor Hall and Council Member Schumacher, Housing Services Manager David de Cordova explained that the housing trust fund does provide some rental assistance through one of their service providers. Minute Motion by Council Member Schumacher, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, to request that staff bring back an agenda item researching rental assistance through the housing trust fund and best practices for establishing administrative caps. Motion carried, 3/1. (Hall - No) 10. REPORT ON POTENTIAL OFF-LEASH DOG AREA AT VILLAGE H SOUTH PROPERTY -Receive a report on a potential off-leash dog area at the Village H South property, and direct staff to either: a) not pursue an off-leash dog area, b) pursue the Staff Option concept plan for an off- leash dog area, or c) pursue the Staff & Preserve Calavera Option concept plan for an off- leash dog area. (Staff contact: Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation) April 14, 2020 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 6 City Manager's Recommendation: Receive the report. Parks & Recreation Director Kyle Lancaster presented the report and reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). City Clerk Barbara Engleson read the following public comments: Paige DeCino wrote about the Carlsbad Habitat Management Plan and the impact of the trail and off leash dog areas on the current habitat. Karen Merill wrote about excluding the parking lot recommendation and the need for nighttime restrictions for the area. Diane Nygaard wrote about the potential negative impacts of allowing off-leash dogs to the habitat and the need for nighttime restrictions for the area. Tom Watson wrote about suggested modifications to the proposal and the need to exclude the parking lot, restroom and EV charging station from the plan. Walt Meier and Jasanna Maher wrote about excluding the parking lot from the proposal and the potential of dog barking nuisances. The following individuals submitted comments about restoring the Village H Trail to its historic use and the need to keep the project moving forward: Hal Doan; Peq Selover; Megan Woolsey; Melissa Furioli; Don Howard; Susan Scheirman; Timothy and Cristina Hanks; Tiffany Fairchild; Julie and Geoff Less; John R. Davis and Robin Kimball. Kristin Johnson spoke about the current issues at the trail and the need for off-leash dogs to be allowed in the area. Lisa Beveridge wrote about moving the project forward and the need to accept the purposed modifications made by Tom Watson. Sherri Sullivan wrote about moving the project forward and some flaws she found in the study that was presented. In response to an inquiry from Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn, Director Lancaster explained that it is possible to move forward with the project without the bathroom and parking lot but if the City Council decided to later include those items in the plan it would cost more money. In response to an inquiry from Council Member Schumacher, Director Lancaster explained that the user group would be involved in material selection, restroom facility choice and aesthetic appearance. April 14, 2020 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 7 Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Blackburn, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, to direct staff to pursue Option (c) pursue the Staff & Preserve Calavera Option concept plan for an off-leash dog area. Motion carried unanimously, 4/0. 11. CLIMATE ACTION PLAN PROGRESS REPORT-Receive a progress report on the Climate Action Plan. (Staff contact: Mike Grim, Public Works) City Manager's Recommendation: Receive the report. Motion by Council Member Schumacher, seconded by Council Member Bhat-Patel, to move Item No. 11 to the May 12, 2020 City Council Meeting. Motion carried unanimously, 4/0. PUBLIC COMMENT (CONTINUED): City Clerk Barbara Engleson read the following public comment: Ruth Milan wrote about her desire to serve on a virus ad-hoc committee should one be created. COUNCIL REPORTS AND COMMENTS: None. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: None. CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS: None. CITY CLERK COMMENTS: None. ANNOUNCEMENTS: None. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Hall adjourned the duly noticed Meeting at 9:40 p.m.