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HomeMy WebLinkAbout110398 CC Special Meeting MinutesMINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE TEMECULA CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 3, 1998 ROLL CALL Present: Councilmembers: Comerchero, Ford, Lindemans, Stone, and Roberts. Absent: Councilmember: None. ALLEGIANCE The audience was led in the Flag salute by Mayor Pro Tem Ford. PUBLIC COMMENTS None. COUNCIL BUSINESS Workshop Discussion on City Council Priorities City Manager Bradley advised that staff, at City Council direction, has compiled a comprehensive project list; requested that City Council review this list after which additional items could be added to the list; requested that Council denote those projects which should be tracked on a regular basis; noted that a pared-down list would be created, which would be updated, by staff, on a regular basis. Mr. Bradley advised that an additional three-page list has been compiled but because these topics relate to property acquisition, contract negotiations, etc., they would be discussed in Closed Session. At this time, an open-discussion period followed during which the following issues were raised: ITEMS OF CONCERN Schedule at least two Strategic Planning meetings a year in addition to the Capital Improvement Projects and planning process meeting; City Council consensus was obtained; · Need to set short-, middle-, and long-term goals; long-term goals ranging from five to ten years; Improve public dissemination of traffic and circulation issues; utilize the upcoming Traffic News; with regard to interconnect/signal synchronization, clarify that the City does not control Ynez Road or Front/Jefferson Avenue or the freeway signals; In response to a suggestion to train City staff or contract out services with regard to signal problems, Public Works Director Kicak advised that although to no avail, staff has attempted to obtain permission from Caltrans to work on the controllers; It was noted that additional arterials are necessary on the periphery limits - Butterfield Stage and Western Bypass Corridor; Public Works Director Kicak noted that the traffic signal at Rancho California Road interchange will be relocated as a result of the bridge widening and the interconnect and, therefore, will be down from seven to ten days, advising that Main Street will be open; It was requested that the City along with other agencies (League of California Cities, Riverside County Transportation Committee (RCTC), California Contract Cities) work with Caltrans with regard to signal synchronization. SHORT-TERM ISSUES · Overland Bridge to be completed prior to the Mall opening in October 15, 1999; Rancho California Road - southbound off-ramp (Empire Creek Culvert extension) - under engineering; Mr. Kicak advised that the first phase of the study will provide information relative to the required flow under the bridge and once that is determined, able to proceed with the lane design; Mayor Pro Tem Ford suggested to design the project as south of Empire Creek and to utilize the Empire Creek as Phase 2 in order to expedite the project; Mr. Kicak noted that in order to widen the off-ramp from Rancho California Road north to the Empire Creek, staff would pursue Mayor Pro Tem Ford's suggestion. It was the consensus of the City Council to proceed as such. Highway 79 Missing Link - contract was signed with the County five months ago; Public Works Director Kicak noted that the Pala Road Project was coordinated with the Highway 79 South design. Project will be under construction in mid March 1999. It was the consensus of the City Council to proceed with this project as expeditiously as possible. With regard to the Pala Road Bridge, Senior Engineer Hughes reviewed the proposed Phases - first, to build the bridge and transfer traffic; second, to match in some of the side streets; and then to demo the old bridge; timeframe would be to have traffic on the new Pala Road Bridge by December 1999; · Winchester Road off-ramp is in the process. 2 MID-TERM ISSUES · Change Caltrans' designation of the freeway from rural to urban (should be immediately completed); Rural designation -interchanges are two miles apart at a minimum Urban designation -interchanges may be as close as one mile apart City Manager Bradley noted that such a change in designation will drop speed limits and will require concurrence from the neighboring cities. · Complete Project Study Report (PSR) for Santiago Road Overpass; City Manager Bradley advised that staff has received input from neighbors in opposition to the project; that the project is depicted in the Capital Improvement Projects and that it has been funded; It was requested by the City Council to proceed with the PSR in order to determine feasibility of the project. · Split diamond north of Winchester Road - City Council consensus to complete the PSR. · Date Street to be on- and off-ramp at Winchester Road; · Realignment of Diaz Road at Rancho California Road - City Council consensus to complete the realignment. Public Works Director Kicak advised that this project has been scheduled for Fiscal Year 2000-2001 but that its priority could be changed. · It was noted that extra highway patrol hours have been approved by the County - Saturday coverage will be the County's responsibility and Sunday coverage will be the City's responsibility; · In light of Max Gillis' absence, there is a need for a strong advocate; · Alternatives to Winchester Road and Jefferson Avenue by way of Cherry or Date Streets - bridge or dip crossing; it was City Council consensus to prioritize this item; Mr. Kicak noted that permits will be necessary (Regional Water Quality Control Board, Fish and Game, etc.). It was noted that Cherry Street is located in the Flood Control Zone. FOLLOWING PROJECTS SHOULD SIMULTANEOUSLY PROCEED · First Street Bridge - designed and ready · Highway 79 S extension and Western Bypass Corridor 3 Potential cut over at Cherry Street (north) Via Montezuma ( short-term solution) Avenida Alvarado/Overland connection Rancho Way For Councilman Lindemans, it was noted, by City Manager Bradley, that the Finance Department will be providing a detailed breakdown of RDA monies. CIRCULATION MEETING Community Development Director Thornhill noted that the consultant will be providing a model of the proposed suggestions in order to assist in the pdoritization of these items. Pala Road design south of Pala Bridge - City Council gave direction to work on the design so that the project could immediately proceed once funding is made available; · Ynez Road from DePortola Road should be four lanes all the way through City limits; Councilman Stone noted that the Pechanga Entertainment Center should be held financially responsible in sharing the cost of Pala Road improvements. It was noted that the Subcommittee will be meeting with Pechanga to address that issue. · West of Jefferson Avenue on Winchester Road need for an additional right- hand turn lane; Public Works Director Kicak advised that a study on this has been completed; traffic engineer suggested to restripe Jefferson Avenue (southbound) to provide for double left-hand turn onto Winchester Road (eastbound); block off eastern portion of Enterprise Circle; Councilman Comerchero suggested the use of two right-hand turn lanes at Ynez/VVinchester Roads to alleviate back-up on Jefferson Avenue. Mr. Kicak suggested the addition of one lane across the bridge and to provide for two right-hand turn movements to northbound 1-15, noting that the second lane will provide the additional straight-through lanes plus two right-hand turn lanes for I-15. He advised that this proposal has been presented to Caltrans. It was the consensus of the City Council to install a double right-hand turn at Jefferson Avenue and Winchester Bridge. Councilman Comerchero suggested a City Council bus trip throughout the City to view intersection functions, etc. At 6:45 P.M., a short recess was called and at 7:00 P.M. Mayor Roberts reconvened the meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Ford requested that the City's sphere of influence be increased. It was suggested that staff attend City of Murrieta and Riverside County City Council and Commission meetings. City Manager Bradley noted that such attendance would require additional staff time and, therefore, he suggested that this matter be continued for additional discussion as an operating budget issue. In response to Councilman Lindemans, Mayor Roberrs advised that efforts are underway to obtain a lobbyist in Sacramento. BONDISSUE City Manager Bradley advised that the financial consultant reviewed the current commitments and values and that an analysis is being completed and will be provided to the City Council at its November 17, 1998, Closed Session. NICOLAS ROAD SIDEWALK TO RORIPAUGH It was noted by Public Works Director Kicak that this sidewalk will be installed by the City. Councilman Stone requested the issuance of a reimbursement agreement. Y2K ISSUES City Clerk Jones, in response to Mayor Pro Tem Ford, advised that a report has been completed with regard to the potential impact on the software and that an on-going City-wide analysis is being completed. COMMISSIONS In response to Mayor Pro Tem Ford, Councilman Stone suggested that the Chairperson of each Commission attend a monthly City Council meeting to provide a Commission update to the Council. It was the consensus of the City Council to concur with Councilman Stone's recommendation. CUSTOMER SERVICE To ensure that efficient and proper customer service is provided to major projects which have newly relocated to the City, Councilman Stone suggested that a Councilmember be assigned to such projects to assist and to ensure a proper and efficient planning process. In response to City Attorney Thorson, the following motion was offered: MOTION: Councilman Stone moved to declare that a subsequent need to discuss a personnel issue which is the employment and appointment of a City Manager based on the fact that the need for this particular discussion has arisen after the posting of the agenda. The motion was seconded by Mayor Roberts and voice vote reflected unanimous approval. 5 At 7:26 P.M., the Council convened into Closed Session. At 7:39 P.M. the City Council reconvened in Open Session. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT No comments. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT City Attorney Thorson noted that the City Council had met in Closed Session and that there is nothing to report under the terms of the Brown Act for Closed Session. ADJOURNMENT At 7:40 P.M., Mayor Roberts formally adjourned the meeting to Tuesday, November 10, 1998, at 7:00 P.M. ATTEST: Ron Roberts, Mayor kJ°n,es, [SEAL] 6