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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-10 - AGENDA REPORTS - REG MINO CITY OF SANTA CLARITA City Council Regular Meeting Joint Meeting with Board of Library Trustees Hereinafter the titles Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, Councilmember, City Manager, City Attorney, and City Clerk may be used also to indicate Mayor/Chair/President, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chair/Vice President, City Manager/Executive Director, City Attorney/Counsel, and City Clerk/Secretary Tuesday, November 26, 2024 INVOCATION Mayor Smyth delivered the invocation. -Minutes- 6:00 PM City Council Chambers U CALL TO ORDER Mayor Smyth called to order the Joint Regular Meeting of the City Council and Board of Library Trustees at 6:05 p.m. ROLL CALL All Councilmembers were present. FLAG SALUTE Mayor Smyth led the flag salute. EXECUTIVE MEETING This time has been set aside for Councilmembers to review the agenda and obtain any further information that may be needed. Council will also discuss each individual item during the course of the meeting with the exception of the Consent Calendar, which may be approved in its entirety by one motion, unless there is a request to pull an item for discussion. No action will be taken on public agenda items during the Executive Meeting. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS Mayor Smyth remarked that as he prepares to leave office, Planning Commissioner Renee Berlin and Arts Commissioner Andrea Vibe will also be leaving their posts and thanked them for their service to the City. He then invited them both to the dais to receive their certificates. Councilwoman McLean encouraged community members to shop local to support small businesses, noting that they employ nearly half of the private workforce and form the foundation of local economies. Councilmember McLean announced that the City proclaims November 30, 2024, as Small Business Saturday, and invited Chair of the Board of the Santa Clarita Valley Packet Pg. 36 O Chamber of Commerce Becki Robb, Chair Elect Di Thompson, and members of the Small Business Council to accept the proclamation and take a photo. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Addressing the City Council were Mitchell Landaw regarding a request for an open forum agenda item on the proposed The Master's University expansion plan and Ron Alecock on action taken by Council to address and combat homelessness. STAFF COMMENTS City Manager Ken Striplin commented that the City Council has been very active for a number of years working to combat homelessness on a variety of fronts including supporting the development and construction of Bridge to Home, working with Family Promise for families transitioning from homelessness, and continued collaboration with the Sheriffs Department. In addition, the City continues to carry out encampment clean-ups and works with the Homelessness Task Force that was established by City Council. City Manager Ken Striplin also commented that there would be a public process that would take place at both the Planning Commission and City Council level following a formal submittal by The Master's University. COMMITTEE REPORTS/COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS Councilmember Gibbs commented that the election had passed and with that the passage of Measure A, the quarter -cent increase in sales tax that will replace Measure H. As a result, a funding mechanism will exist within a very large governmental body, Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency. He also congratulated the Junior Chamber International for holding another successful 40 Under 40 event. Mayor Pro Tem Miranda invited the community to join the City for the Fourth Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at The Cube on Friday, December 6, at 7 p.m. He shared that the event would include sledding on real snow and feature performances from local ice skaters from Disney's Frozen Ice Holiday. Councilwoman McLean commented that Light Up Main Street was a success, and Mayor Smyth asked for an estimate of the number of attendees to which Arts and Events Manager Phil Lantis responded that approximately 12,000 people attended the event this year, as opposed to 10,000 last year. Councilwoman McLean commented on the Bouquet Canyon Trail Ribbon Cutting event and the Thanksgiving celebration at the Newhall Community Center, praising each as noteworthy accomplishments. Her final comments discussed the scoping meetings aimed at improving the safety on State Route 14. She said that Santa Clarita residents had the best representation at these meetings and urged the community to continue their calls and comments to ensure the safety of the community. Councilmember Weste commented on how the Newhall Community Center has grown, establishing it as a meeting place for families, and remarked on how the newly opened Bouquet Canyon Trail connects the community of Saugus to the City's system of trails, noting the large U Page 2 Packet Pg. 37 O Bicycle Coalition turnout. Councilmember Weste also commented on her concerns with insurance in the state, explaining that current insurance rates negatively impact the real estate industry, homeowners, and car insurance premiums. In order to address the issue, Councilmember Weste proposed a collaborative effort with other cities and agencies who share the same concerns regarding insurance in the state if conditions do not show improvement. Mayor Smyth remarked on the opening of Bouquet Canyon Trail and Light Up Main Street as events that bring great value to the City. PUBLIC HEARINGS ITEM 1 a AMENDMENT TO THE EASTSIDE BRIDGE AND MAJOR THOROUGHFARE c m CONSTRUCTION FEE DISTRICT v A public hearing to consider amendments to the adopted Eastside Bridge and Major Thoroughfare Construction Fee District. v, RECOMMENDED ACTION: o City Council: v 1. Conduct a public hearing to amend the Eastside Bridge and Major Thoroughfare Construction Fee District. 2. Providing there is less than 50 percent written protest from the represented area of benefit, adopt a resolution amending the adopted Eastside Bridge and Major Thoroughfare Construction Fee District, and instruct the City Clerk to record a certified copy of the adopted resolution with the County Recorder. Mayor Smyth opened the Public Hearing. City Clerk Mary Cusick reported all notices required by law have been provided. City Council waived the option to receive a presentation from staff. There was no public comment on this item. There were no questions or discussion on this item by Council. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Laurene Weste, Councilmember SECONDER: Bill Miranda, Mayor Pro Tem AYES: Smyth, Miranda, Gibbs, McLean, Weste Page 3 Packet Pg. 38 O UNFINISHED BUSINESS ITEM 2 DOCKWEILER DRIVE EXTENSION, PROJECT S3023 - RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION City Council consideration of items pertaining to acquisition of right-of-way for the Dockweiler Drive Extension project, 53023. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council: 1. Find the Addendum to the Dockweiler Drive Extension Project Environmental Impact Report complies with the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulation Article 11 sections 15162 and 15164, for changes to the C approved project. m 2. Adopt a resolution declaring certain real properties owned or to be acquired by the City of v r Santa Clarita and exchanged with other property exempt surplus land to facilitate right -of- a way acquisition for the proposed extension of Dockweiler Drive and the proposed bicycle c and pedestrian trail, make California Environmental Quality Act findings, and direct staff to 0 submit the resolution to the California Department of Housing and Community Development a for approval. c 3. Adopt a resolution for the Real Property Transfer Agreement between the City of Santa Clarita and the County of Los Angeles, and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the agreement, subject to final modifications and approval by the City Attorney. 4. Adopt a resolution approving the summary vacation of a portion of the public right-of-way along Lyons Avenue and Placerita Canyon Road, as described and shown on Exhibit "A" Legal Description and Exhibit "B" Exhibit Map of the attached resolution; for the summary vacation of an offer of dedication for private and future street purposes of Norland Drive, as described and shown on Exhibit "G" Legal Description and Exhibit "H" Exhibit Map of the attached resolution; and reserving easements for the Gas Company and Charter Communications as described and shown on the Exhibit "C," "D," "E," and "F" of the attached resolution. 5. Authorize the City Manager or designee to submit the approved certified original resolution for summary vacation into escrow, to be recorded following the recordation of the quitclaim deeds exchanged between the City of Santa Clarita and the County of Los Angeles. 6. Adopt a resolution approving the Real Property Transfer Agreement between the City of Santa Clarita and Laurene F. Weste, which authorizes an exchange of land between the parties, and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the agreement, subject to final modifications and approval by the City Attorney. 7. Adopt a resolution approving the Real Property Transfer Agreement between the City of Santa Clarita and Prostor Land, LLC, which authorizes an exchange of land between the parties, and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the agreement, subject to final modifications and approval by the City Attorney. Page 4 Packet Pg. 39 O 8. Approve the Conveyance of Right -of -Way Agreement between the Newhall School District and the City of Santa Clarita, which provides for the acquisition of right-of-way for a portion of Dockweiler Drive Extension Project. 9. Adopt a resolution accepting the offer of dedication for Emberbrook Drive, set aside for highway purposes by the County of Los Angeles by Resolution dated June 8, 1971; accepting another portion of Emberbrook Drive, offered as a future street by instrument numbers 3 18 1, 3182, and 3183, all recorded September 4, 1974, for public use and road purposes; and authorizing a street name change to Dockweiler Drive. 10. Authorize the City Clerk to record the approved certified original resolution accepting Emberbrook Drive and renaming to Dockweiler Drive in the Los Angeles County Registrar - Recorder's office upon completion of the Dockweiler Drive Extension Project and subject to v approval from the Director of Public Works. m 11. Authorize the City Manager or designee to grant easements for public use and road purposes o and public use and trail purposes across City -owned parcels for Dockweiler Drive. v 12. Appropriate one-time funds in the amount of $1,600,000 from the Via Princessa Bridge and Thoroughfare Fee fund (Fund 453) to Dockweiler Drive Extension, Project 53023, expenditure account S3023453 — 516101. 13. Authorize the City Manager or designee to submit $1,100,000 into escrow, to be distributed to the County of Los Angeles at the close of escrow for the Land Exchange Agreement between the City of Santa Clarita and the County of Los Angeles. 14. Authorize the City Manager or designee to reimburse Laurene F. Weste for actual expenses related to relocating the existing septic system out of the Dockweiler Drive right-of-way in an amount not to exceed $22,000; authorize the City Manager or designee to pay Laurene F Weste $11,000 in compensation for the relocation of existing animal kennels and cargo containers out of the Dockweiler Drive right-of-way to another location on the same parcel; and authorize the City Manager or designee to pay Ms. Weste $32,000 in compensation for the relocation of the water pipes, valves, and plant material out of the Dockweiler Drive right-of-way. 15. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents subject to City Attorney approval. Councilmember Weste recused herself from the meeting due to her land ownership interests. Special Council Kevin Ennis delivered the staff presentation. Addressing the Council were Linda Townsley; Sandra Cattell; Peggy Cannistraci; Teresa Todd, representing Placerita Canyon Property Owners Association; and Joe Morelli. Page 5 Packet Pg. 40 O Councilwoman McLean expressed her concerns about the project, commenting on the impacts during construction; shared her concerns of traffic and the safety of the residents and children who live in the area; and agreed with the suggestion to step back instead of approving it across the board. Councilwoman McLean inquired about the cost to the City and to The Master's University to build the extension, and Assistant City Engineer Shannon Pickett provided the construction estimate to be between $45 and $51 million. Councilmember Gibbs asked what necessitated this secondary access, and Mr. Striplin replied that after numerous studies exploring solutions to traffic circulation issues in the area, 13th Street was determined to be the most feasible option to connect Dockweiler. Councilmember Gibbs inquired, and Mr. Striplin confirmed that The Master's University had a commitment to build a portion of the Dockweiler Drive extension within their original specific plan. Councilmember Gibbs inquired about the properties and agreements involved in the land swap, and Mr. Striplin responded that leach line issues will be determined as the project moves forward in construction are there are no develop applications involved in this action nor any City obligation to build a curb cut-out. Mayor Smyth commented on moving forward with the project after obtaining the advice of outside counsel and the Fair Political Practices Commission, shared Councilwoman McLean's concerns about the project's proximity to McGrath Elementary, but felt reassured by the guidelines already in place and the Council's deliberate approach to the project over the last seven years, and asked for a motion and second. Prior to roll call, Councilmember Gibbs asked if staff foresees a timeline as to the design and construction of the road, and Mr. Pickett responded that the design is expected to be finalized within the next few months and that construction is expected to last two years. RESULT: APPROVED [3 TO 11 MOVER: Bill Miranda, Mayor Pro Tem SECONDER: Jason Gibbs, Councilmember AYES: Cameron Smyth, Bill Miranda, Jason Gibbs NAYS: Marsha McLean RECUSED: Laurene Weste Councilmember Weste rejoined the meeting following the vote. U Page 6 Packet Pg. 41 O NEW BUSINESS ITEM 3 NAMING OF OPEN SPACE HONORING JOHN HARTIGAN Discuss the naming of open space land in honor of long-time Santa Clarita resident John Hartigan. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council discuss and provide direction on the naming of the recently approved acquisition of +/-169 acres of open space in the honor of John Hartigan. Council waived the staff report Councilmember Weste commented that John Hartigan spent his life working in the movie L industry, was loved, and will be missed. U Councilmember Weste spoke of the benefits of this land acquisition, remarked that the voters r a mandated by 67 percent of the vote to create the Open Space District, and that the John Hartigan c Family Open Space is a wonderful addition. 0 RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Marsha McLean, Councilmember SECONDER: Bill Miranda, Mayor Pro Tem AYES: Smyth, Miranda, Gibbs, McLean, Weste CONSENT CALENDAR All items approved except Item 12, which was pulled from the agenda. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Jason Gibbs, Councilmember SECONDER: Laurene Weste, Councilmember AYES: Smyth, Miranda, Gibbs, McLean, Weste ITEM 4 APPROVAL OF SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES — The minutes are submitted for approval. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council approve the minutes of the November 12, 2024, Special Meeting ITEM 5 APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES — The minutes are submitted for approval. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council approve the minutes of the November 12, 2024, Regular Meeting Page 7 Packet Pg. 42 O ITEM 6 CHECK REGISTER NOS. 23 AND 24 Check Register No. 23 for Period 10/04/24 through 10/17/24 and 10/24/24. Electronic Funds Transfers for the Period 10/07/24 through 10/18/24. Check Register No. 24 for Period 10/18/24 through 10/31/24 and 11/07/24. Electronic Funds Transfers for the Period 10/21/24 through 11/01/24. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council approve and ratify for payment the demands presented in Check Register No. 23 and Check Register No. 24. ITEM 7 LOCAL APPOINTMENTS LIST/DECLARING VACANCIES Terms of various Local Appointments will expire on December 31, 2024. This item will initiate the process to fill these vacancies. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council: 1. Approve the Local Appointments List. U 2. Declare vacancies on the Planning Commission; Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission; Arts Commission; and Open Space Preservation District Financial Accountability and Audit Panel. 3. Approve the recruitment process for the vacancies. ITEM 8 CITYWIDE TREE MAINTENANCE AND INVENTORY CONTRACT This item considers awarding a two year contract with three, one-year renewal options to West Coast Arborists, Inc., for tree maintenance services throughout the City. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council: 1. Approve an increase, in the current Fiscal Year, of $325,320 to the existing West Coast Arborist, Inc. contract for a total contract amount not to exceed $6,499,592. 2. Award a two-year contract to West Coast Arborists, Inc., beginning in Fiscal Year 2025-26, to provide tree maintenance services, for a total two-year amount not to exceed $6,700,548, plus up to three additional one-year renewal options beginning in year three, not to exceed the annual amount of $3,350,274, plus Consumer Price Index upon request of the contractor and approval of the City of Santa Clarita. 3. Appropriate a one-time amount, in the current Fiscal Year, of $90,000 from the Self Insurance Fund (Fund 721) to expenditure account 7212306-516101. Page 8 Packet Pg. 43 O 4. Beginning in Fiscal Year 2025-26, appropriate an ongoing amount of $99,684 from the Areawide Fund (Fund 367) and $73,270 from the Landscape Maintenance District Fund (Fund 357) to the expenditure accounts identified in Attachment A, totaling $172,954. 5. Appropriate a one-time amount of $109,250 beginning in Fiscal Year 2025-26, and an ongoing amount of $56,350, from the Hart Park Fund (Fund 140) to expenditure account 1402401-516101 for the care of trees at Hart Park. 6. Appropriate an amount of $30,000 from the Oak Tree Preservation Fund (Fund 406) to expenditure account 4062401-516101 beginning in Fiscal Year 2024-25 through Fiscal Year 2026-27. 7. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all contracts and associated documents subject to City Attorney approval, contingent upon the appropriation of funds by the City Council in the annual budget for such fiscal years. ITEM 9 U CITRUS BUILDING TENANT IMPROVEMENTS, PROJECT F1030 - DESIGN CONTRACT This item considers awarding a design contract to provide design services and prepare construction documents for the Citrus Building Tenant Improvements project. The tenant improvements will include a new 1,920-square-foot sound stage and approximately 2,555 square feet of ancillary uses including a control room, editing suites, and general offices. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council: 1. Award the design contract to Wolcott Architecture for the Citrus Building Tenant Improvements, Project F1030, in the amount of $214,790 and authorize a contingency in the amount of $20,210, for a total contract amount not to exceed $235,000. 2. Appropriate one-time funds in the amount of $235,000 from the Citrus Facility Fund (Fund 130) to expenditure account F1030130-516101; increase Transfer Out to Citrus Facility Fund (Fund 130) to expenditure account 1009500-710130 and Transfers In from General Fund (Fund 100) revenue account 130-600100 by $235,000. 3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents, subject to City Attorney approval. Addressing the Council was Patti Rasmussen. Mayor Smyth commented about studio staff concerns about the SCVTV accommodations being constrained through the improvement process, and City Manager Ken Striplin explained that the design contract, after careful analysis, should result in a facility with similar amenities, but new and with better parking, to the one in place now, and discussed funding from the Public Education Government Access fund and the current general fund subsidy. Page 9 Packet Pg. 44 O ITEM 10 FINAL TRACT MAP, ACCEPTANCE OF OFFERS OF DEDICATION, AND REJECTION OF IRREVOCABLE OFFER OF DEDICATION FOR TRACT MAP NO. 51644-19 (TESORO HIGHLANDS) Pursuant to Section 66474.1 of the Subdivision Map Act, approve final tract map, accept offers, and reject irrevocable offer dedication, for Tract No. 51644-19. This map is for subdivision purposes and is located within Tesoro del Valle, north of Tesoro del Valle Road. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council: 1. Approve the Final Tract Map for Tract No. 51644-19 2. Accept on behalf of the public the offers of dedication and grant of: (1) the easements for L sanitary sewers and sanitary sewer ingress and egress purposes; (2) all sanitary sewers and v appurtenant structures; (3) the easements for covered storm drain, storm drain appurtenant structures, ingress and egress purposes; (4) the right to restrict or prohibit the erection or construction of any buildings or structures within lots 47 through 55, inclusive; (5) the right to restrict or prohibit any and all allowable uses or construction within those areas designated 0 as open space on this map. 3. Reject the irrevocable offer of dedication and grant in fee simple of all lot 36 for flood control purposes. 4. Authorize the City Manager or designee to rescind the rejection and accept the offer of dedication and grant in fee simple of all of lot 36 for the purposes of transferring to Los Angeles County Flood Control District when construction of the improvements is completed to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works. 5. Make findings as follows: This project is consistent with the provisions of Sections 66474 and 66474.1 of the Subdivision Map Act and should be approved. 6. Instruct the Director of Administrative Services to endorse the Special Assessment Statement on the face of the Final Tract Map for Tract No. 51644-19, which indicates all special assessments levied by the City of Santa Clarita are paid. 7. Instruct the City Clerk to endorse the City Clerk's Statement on the face of the Final Tract Map for Tract No. 51644-19, which embodies the approval of said map, the acceptance of the dedications shown thereon, and the rejection of the irrevocable offer of dedication and grant in fee simple shown thereon. 8. Instruct the City Surveyor to endorse the City Surveyor's Statement on the face of the Final Tract Map for Tract No. 51644-19, which provides for verification that the map is technically correct. 9. Instruct the City Engineer to endorse the City Engineer's Statement on the face of Final Tract Map for Tract No. 51644-19, which provides for verification of substantial conformance with Page 10 Packet Pg. 45 O the Tentative Tract Map and all provisions of local ordinances and state laws applicable at the time of approval. ITEM 11 2024-25 OVERLAY AND SLURRY SEAL PROGRAM, PROJECT M0157 - DESIGN CONTRACT This item considers awarding an engineering design and construction support services contract for the 2024-25 Overlay and Slurry Seal Program. The annual overlay and slurry seal projects are an integral part of the City's Pavement Management Program. Each year, streets are evaluated and identified for needed pavement preservation and rehabilitation treatments. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Cl City Council: c m 1. Award the engineering design and construction support services contract to Pavement U Engineering, Inc., for the 2024-25 Overlay and Slurry Seal Program, Project M0157, in the amount of $709,820, and authorize a contingency in the amount of $106,473, for a total contract amount not to exceed $816,293. v 2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute up to three annual renewal options not to exceed the base annual contract, inclusive of contingency, plus any adjustment consistent with the appropriate Consumer Price Index. 3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents, subject to City Attorney approval. ITEM 12 4069: SUMMARY VACATION OF PORTIONS OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY KNOWN AS PLACERITA CYN RD NEAR SIERRA HWY Pursuant to Section 8331 of the Streets and Highways Code of the State of California, summarily vacate portions of the public -right-of-way known as Placerita Canyon Road located near Sierra Highway. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council: 1. Adopt a resolution for the summary vacation of portions of the public right-of-way known as Placerita Canyon Road, as described in Exhibit "A" Legal Description, and as shown on Exhibit "B" Exhibit Map of the attached resolution. 2. Reserve easements for public utility purposes as specified in the attached resolution, as described in Exhibit "C" Legal Description, and as shown on Exhibit "D" Exhibit Map of the attached resolution. 3. Direct the City Clerk to record the certified original resolution in the Los Angeles County Registrar -Recorder's office. ITEM 12 WAS PULLED Page 11 Packet Pg. 46 O ITEM 13 FORMER SENIOR CENTER, PROJECT F0006 - BUILDING ASSESSMENT CONTRACT This item considers awarding a contract to provide site investigation, a findings analysis, and a constructability assessment of renovations for the former Senior Center building at William S. Hart Regional Park. RECOMMENDED ACTION: City Council: 1. Award a contract to HH Fremer Architects, Inc. for the Former Senior Center, Project F0006, in the amount of $133,000 and authorize a contingency in the amount of $13,300, for a total contract amount not to exceed $146,300. c m 2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all contracts and associated documents, v subject to City Attorney approval. r c m Addressing the Council was Patti Rasmussen. 0 U 2 ITEM 14 a VETERANS HISTORICAL PLAZA PLAQUE REQUEST 0 R The Daughters of the American Revolution have requested to add a plaque at the Veterans IV Historical Plaza to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the nation. N RECOMMENDED ACTION: ca City Council approve the request to add a plaque at the Veterans Historical Plaza. c z 4- 0 ITEM 15 m r SANTA CLARITA VALLEY COMMITTEE ON AGING FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 c AGREEMENT The Fiscal Year 2024-25 agreement with the Santa Clarita Valley Committee on Aging will support home -delivered meals, transit -related services, and recreation, health, and wellness programs for seniors. CL RECOMMENDED ACTION: a City Council approve an agreement with the Santa Clarita Valley Committee on Aging in the amount of $525,000 and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney approval. Addressing the Council was Kevin MacDonald. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION II There were no additional requests to speak received Page 12 Packet Pg. 47 O ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Weste thanked Mayor Smyth for his service and said it was a pleasure to serve alongside him; after which, Mayor Smyth adjourned the meeting in memory of John Christopher Hartigan at 7:50 p.m. ATTEST: CITY CLERK MAYOR U Page 13 Packet Pg. 48