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HomeMy WebLinkAbout090490 CC MinutesMINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE TEMECULA CITY COUNCIL HELD SEPTEMBER 4, 1990 An adjourned regular meeting of the Temecula City Council was called to order at 6:58 PM in the Temecula Community Center, 28816 Pujol Street, Temecula, California. Mayor Ronald J. Parks presiding. PRESENT 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Birdsall, Lindemans, Moore, Munoz, Parks ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None Also present were Captain Rick Sayre, acting City Manager, and Deputy City Clerk June S. Greek. PI,EDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Mayor Pro Tem Karel Lindemans. PUBLIC COMMENTS No public comments were offered. STUDY SESSION PI,ANNING DEPARTMENT ITEMS Lightfoot - Status Report Gary Thornhill gave a brief staff report and introduced George Williams representing the Lightfoot Planning Group, presently working under contract with the City of Temecula to complete a development inventory. Mr. Williams discussed briefly the projects pre- approved by the County of Riverside prior to the City's incorporation. He explained that Lightfoot will be delivering to the City four maps as a part of their inventory which will detail existing land use, special districts (i.e. assessment districts), approved projects contained within the City and vacant lands to be developed. Minutes 9/04/90 1 He also explained that the Lightfoot Group has been held up by the lack of an up-to-date base map from the County. He said that this has resulted in a delay, but he does expect completion of the project by mid September. He said that the working maps are being developed as a result of analysis of 452 files which were active as of the time the City began to take the planning function over from the County. Recreational !,and Suitability Study Gary Thomhill introduced John Davidson of Willdan Associates, a Principal Planner with that firm involved in special projects. He explained that he was assigned the suitability study by the interim City Manager Frank Aleshire who requested a study based on the interim Parks and Recreation Master Plan adopted by the City in April of 1990. He discussed the site identified in the report as number one. He outlined that this is in an industrial tract, and could provide adult recreational use. Mayor Parks indicated that the project in question has changed substantially since the input was given to Willdan and that the park land dedication is proposed in a very different form at this time. Mr. Davidson went on to outline the features, benefits and drawbacks of the sites identified as two through four. Mayor Parks asked if in the opinion of the consultant there are sites which are not good properties for a City to accept. Mr. Davidson said traditionally anything less than five acres does not fit into the acceptable size for neighborhood parks. He did qualify this by saying that although neighborhood parks are the smallest recommended parks in the master plan, under some circumstances the City may wish to consider Special Use facilities. He explained that in the case of the Pala Road site (Site No. 3) the land proposed for donation is only three plus acres but it would serve some recreational purposes in an area which is currently lacking in any park facilities. o Case Tracking System Gary Thornhill provided the Councilmembers with examples of computer printouts of the newly developed case tracking system and explained what the system is designed to accomplish. He advised that this system is updated every Friday. Councilmember Lindemans asked if this system is on all the City's computers or on the Willdan computer system. Mr. Thornhill advised that it is on Willdan's system but will be integrated into the City's system as soon as compatible software is obtained by Willdan. In response to a question from Mayor Parks Gary Thornhill reported that all misplaced files have been located and all are accounted for in the tracking system. Minutes 9/04/90 2 4. Caseload Update Gary Thomhill presented the staff report indicating that 250 cases are in process at this time ranging from simple additions to commercial projects and industrial subdivisions. He stated that the department is presently processing 152 plot plans. He then turned the meeting over to Doug Stewart, Deputy City Engineer who provided the Council with a graph showing the status of the plan checks in the Engineering Department at this time. F. NGINEERING DF~PARTMENT ITEMS Traffic Safety Improvement Update Doug Stewart reported on the status of the projects which have been identified by the Council as in immediate need of attention. Nicolas Road at Winchester Road - Widen intersection to add a left turn lane and an acceleration lane. Status - completion is anticipated in the next 90 days. Moraga Road at Temecula Elementary School - Posting of "No stopping any time" signs along the east curb adjacent to the apartments, remove existing lane line on the east side of the road. Status - complete. Rancho California Road East of Moraga - Re-stripe Rancho California Road to provide left turn access into the Wood Creek apartments. Status - complete. o Rancho California Road Westbound at Ynez - Provide a right turn only lane. Status - striping will be completed tonight by Orange County Striping Company. o Rancho California Road westbound at Ynez and 1-15 northbound on-ramp -Re- stripe the existing fight turn only lane and extend further east to provide better recognition of the lane. Status - striping will be completed tonight by Orange County Striping Company. o Front Street northbound, south of Rancho California Road - Re-paint the existing fight turn only lane and add additional signs and arrows to define the lane as "right turn only". Status - striping will be completed tonight by Orange County Striping Company. o Rancho California Road Westbound between Front Street and 1-15 - Re-stripe existing right turn lane in front of Chevron Station and add painted right turn arrows on the pavement. Add "Right Lane must turn fight" signs as well as "No Minutes 9/04/90 3 Stopping Any Time' signs from the freeway off-ramp to the intersection of Front Street. Status - Red curbs painted last week and remainder of the work to be completed tonight by Orange County Striping Company. Doug Stewart advised that the cost for items four, five and six would total $3,000, rather than the anticipated cost of $1,250. Councilmember Birdsall asked staff to look into posting "Right turn only" signs at the Chevron Station on the southeast corner of Front Street and Rancho California Road immediately. Doug Stewart advised that the signs are required as a condition of the new plot plan for that corner and the suggestion is one his staff will look into. Councilmember Lindemans asked staff to look into providing additional speed limit enforcement on Rancho California Road. Councilmember Moore suggested that at Rancho California Road and Front Street, the intersection should also be signed for no "U" turns. Rick Sayre, Chief of Police, reported on the additional hours suggested for the freeway overcrossing Traffic Directors. He explained that his report has been reviewed by City Manager Dixon who concurred with the recommendation to expand the hours on the overcrossings. He also advised the Council that the funds needed were available in the budget allocation. After a brief discussion City Council directed staff to proceed to implement the additional hours. Councilmember Birdsall suggested staff look at placing Traffic Directors on the freeway overcrossings for the full day on Fridays of a holiday weekend. Chief Sayre replied that he would be happy to monitor this and make any further recommendations as required. Councilmember Mufioz said he would like to have the Traffic Committee look at soliciting further commitments from the business community to continue the Traffic Controllers on the 1-15 bridges for an indefinite period of time. Doug Stewart advised Council that he has been negotiating with Bedford Properties to have Traffic Directors provided on the weekends during the time the two freeway intersections are under construction. Mayor Parks asked staff to address the lack of adequate lighting which will become a problem as the Fall season approaches. Chief Sayre responded that a number of options have been looked at including lighted cones, intersection spots, and lighted signs advising motorists that the intersections are being manually directed. Minutes 9/04/90 4 Councilmember Birdsall questioned what is being done to address the traffic problems at the intersection of Highway 79 South and LaPaz. She asked staff to refer this intersection to the Traffic Committee. RECESS Mayor Parks declared a recess at 8:13 PM, the meeting was reconvened at 8:23 PM with all members present. Detour/Striping Policy Doug Stewart gave a staff report outlining the Detour Policy and the procedures which have been based on the WATCH Guidebook and the CalTrans Manual. He said that this has been prepared by staff for distribution to the public. Councilmember Mufioz questioned if these policies will provide for mitigation during construction periods. He asked if any guidelines were being followed during the recent construction at Winchester and Ynez. Mr. Stewart responded that the guidelines contained in these policies were in effect at that time. Councilmember Mufioz stated that in his opinion these measures were not adequate. He said they should require traffic control performed by Traffic Directors, such as the City utilizes during peak rush hours on the freeway bridges. Councilmember Birdsall questioned what penalties can be assessed for non-compliance with these policies. Doug Stewart advised that staff has a number of options which range from issuing warnings to actual shutdown of a job. He also responded that citizens should report infractions of these rules to the Engineering Department during working hours and the Sheriff's Department after hours. Councilmember Lindemans stated he would like to see all construction on the widening and re-striping of the Rancho California Road overpass take place during the nighttime hours to alleviate traffic problems during the day. Mayor Parks asked staff to bring this policy before the Council for their approval at a later time. Minutes 9/04/90 5 7. Grading Policy Doug Stewart explained that this policy is designed to be implemented when a plan is submitted for approval. Gary Thornhill explained the provisions which are required by the Stephens Kangaroo Rat Habitat Protection Program. Councilmember Lindemans asked if the 50 acres of habitat in the City can be shown on one of the maps being developed by the Lightfoot Group. Doug Stewart then explained the kinds of grading permits and inspections which are required by the City. In response to a question from Mayor Parks he stated that there are still a few projects being done under county issued permits but most now require a permit from the City. Mayor Parks requested that this item be placed on a future agenda in accordance with the work program. 8. Encroachment Permit Policv Doug Stewart gave a staff report defining what an encroachment is and what projects require this type of permit. He also outlined what constitutes a "blanket permit" issuance. He also pointed out the insurance requirements of which are designed to protect the City. 9. Update Ynez Corridor Mello-Roos District No. 88-12. Tim Serlet, City Engineer, advised the Council that the firm of J. F. Davidson has been selected and retained to complete the engineering work for the community facilities district. He said the completion dates anticipated for the two phases are September 1991 and March 1992. In response to a question by Mayor Parks, Mr. Serlet advised that the City should see plans by December of this year. 10. Items for Next Study Session Councilmember Lindemans expressed his dissatisfaction with the scheduling of study session every other Tuesday. He said he feels the Council is able to accomplish more by having a City Council meeting with a formal agenda every week. He asked that staff go back to the weekly schedule. Minutes 9/04/90 6 Councilmember Mufioz concurred with this request. Councilmember Birdsall said she would like to try to work out a schedule which allows for workshops because she finds them very useful. Councilmember Moore also said she finds the study sessions valuable and that this allows the members to exchange ideas on various projects prior to being asked to make a decision. Mayor Parks asked that this matter be placed on the agenda of September 18, 1990 as a discussion item. Councilmember Lindemans asked that staff request the City Attorney give Council an opinion relative to whether Council can respond to statements made by the public during the Public Comments portion of the meeting. He asked if this constitutes a violation of the Brown Act because it represents discussion of matters not on the agenda. CITY MANAGER REPORTS No report given. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS No report given as a result of the excused absence of the City Attorney. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS Councilmember Moore asked Council to select a date to interview the final candidates for the Traffic Commission. After discussion Council directed that the interviews be scheduled for Monday, September 24, 1990 at 7:00 PM in the City Hall Conference Room. Councilmember Moore also asked staff to report on: The fire retardant properties of the roofing materials which have been approved in the City. The feasibility of appointing a citizens committee to make suggestions to the Planning Commission and the Traffic Commission on appropriate landscaping materials. Minutes 9/04/90 7 Councilmember Birdsall gave a brief report on the activities of the City Seal Committee and advised the Council that along with five designs that are being developed, the Committee would also be bringing recommendations to the Council for a City flower and a City slogan. She also said she would like to present Certificates of Appreciation to the members of the committee at the meeting of the 18th of September. Mayor Parks announced that he and Councilmember Moore would be attending a Growth Management Seminar sponsored by WRAG on Thursday, September 6, 1990. Councilmember Lindemans asked that Certificates of Appreciation by prepared and presented to the Arts Council for their successful sponsorship of the Arts Festival '90. He also asked that staff look into methods for compelling the removal of the tethered balloon being used by Spa Guy on Front Street. Councilmember Lindemans also suggested that staff look into holding a ceremony to swear in the members of the Traffic, Parks and Recreation and Public Safety Commissions. He asked that this be placed on the agenda for September 18, 1990 for discussion. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Councilmember Birdsall, seconded by Councilmember Moore to adjourn at 9:48 PM to a meeting to be held September 18, 1990 at 7:00 PM in the Temecula Community Center, 28816 Pujol Street, Temecula, California. The motion was unanimously carried. ATTEST: Ronald J. Parks, Mayor Ju~ Deputy' Cit~~erk Minutes 9/04/90 8