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Home My WebLink About1995-05-09 - MINUTES - SPECIAL REGULAR (2)MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING CITY OF SANTA CLARITA CITY COUNCIL 6:00 P.bL MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING CITY OF SANTA CLARITA CITY COUNCIL 6:30 P M. MAY 9v 1995 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Darcy called to order the special meeting of the City Council at 6:01 p.m. ROLL CALL All Councilmembers were present. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION There was no public participation. RECESS At 6:03 p.m., Mayor Darcy recessed to closed session in the Orchard room. CLOSED SESSION City Attorney, Carl Newton, announced that this closed session is for the purpose of conference with legal counsel on existing litigation under Government Code Section 54956.9 (a) - Castaic Lake Water Agency vs. City of Santa Clarita and Redevelopment Agency; Conference with Real Property Negotiator - Potential Acquisition of Land - Government Code Section 54956.9(b) -one matter - existing rail station located on Via Princessa near Sierra Highway. RECESS Mayor Darcy recessed the closed session to the regular meeting of the City Council at 6:32 p.m. CITY ATTORNEY City Attorney, Carl Newton, announced that no action was taken in ANNOUNCEMENT closed session which was required to be reported. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Executive portion of the City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Darcy at 6:33 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, CA. This time has been set aside for Councilmembers to review the agenda and obtain any further information that may be needed. This session is open to the public. CLERK'S City Clerk, Donna Grindey, announced that anyone wishing to ANNOUNCEMENT address an item on the agenda should fill out a speakers' slip and r submit it to the City Clerk before the item is discussed. 7E PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Addressing the Council with matters of concern were: Laurens 111`. Weste, 22216 Placenta Cyn. Rd., regarding the Park Master Plan; INVOCATION PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES UNFINISHED BUSINESS ITEM 1 NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM - NEWHALL RANCH ROAD Marsha McLean, P.O. 220748, Santa Clarita; Bob Lathrop, 25105 Highspring, Santa Clarita, regarding roads. Councilmember Heidt gave the invocation. Councilmember Heidt led the Pledge of Allegiance. All Councilmembers were present. It was moved by Smyth and seconded by Pederson to approve the agenda. With no objections it was so ordered. It was moved by Smyth and seconded by Boyer to approve the minutes of April 25, 1995 and May 2, 1995, as amended. Hearing no objections, it was so ordered. Councilmember Heidt directed the City Clerk to bring back to Council the minutes of April 11, 1995, for correction, at the May 23, 1995 meeting. Michael Murphy, Intergovernmental Relations Officer, reported that the National Highway System is the successor to the Interstate System program which is drawing to closure. Representative Howard P. "Buck" McKeon believes that NHS funding may provide an opportunity for the City of Santa Clarita and County of Los Angeles to receive resources for unfunded portions of a cross-town parkway, thereby addressing some long term transportation needs. Representative McKeon requests that the City Council advise him regarding whether he should pursue inclusion of the Newhall Ranch Road corridor in the 1995 NHS authorization bill. He will also be requesting authorization for interchange projects along Interstate 5 at State Route 126 (Castaic Junction), Magic Mountain Parkway and Valencia Boulevard. Those addressing the Council were: Connie Worden-Roberts; Dan Goetz; Jack Ancona; Warren Johnson; Vera Johnson; Allan Cameron (speaking for Ken Dean); Alan Rose; Blair Bess; Paul Belli; Ira Pinsker; Ralph Frammolino; John Annison; Rosalie Kessing; John Steffen; Jack Curenton; Allan Cameron; Michael Kotch. There were two written comments received from: Margie Colette, Lynn Plambec. Mayor Darcy reported, for the record, that letters were received from major corporations. Following discussion regarding the truck route, congestion management plan, time lines, bridge & thoroughfare fees, it was moved by Pederson and seconded by Boyer that Representative McKeon request inclusion of the Newhall Ranch Road corridor between Interstate 5 and Bouquet Canyon Road in the 1995 National Highway System legislation; request that Representative McKeon also seek authorization of interchange projects along Interstate 5 at State Route 126 (Castaic Junction), Magic Mountain Parkway and Valencia Boulevard; insist that the designation of this not being a truck route be included and to discourage any trucks that could come; insist any condition that is agreed to or will be agreed to will continue to be paid by the developers; and if necessary, an amendment to the circulation element of the General Plan be made. On roll call vote: Ayes: Boyer, Pederson, Smyth, Darcy Noes: Heidt Excused: None Absent: None Motion carried. RECESS Mayor Darcy recessed the meeting at 8:10 p.m. RECONVENE Mayor Darcy reconvened the meeting at 8:25 p.m. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1`17M 2 City Attorney, Carl Newton, read a letter from the developer, PORTA BELLA SPECIFIC Northolme Properties, which stated they were withdrawing a letter transmitted to the City on April 28, 1995. Mr. Newton PLAN AND OTHER ENTITLEMENTS stated Northolme Properties also agreed to condition DS15, indemnification which provides very substantial to protection the City and to the ultimate purchaser and user of the proposed properties. Mr. Veltri, representing Northolme Properties, agreed they approve of condition DS15. Lynn Harris, Deputy City Manager, Community Development, reported that the Council closed the Public Hearing on April 25, 1995, and continued the item to this date for Council discussion. The Council will discuss any written responses from the public regarding the draft conditions of approval, which were required to be received by April 28,1995. The project applicant was required to submit any written responses to concerns raised by the public on or before May 3 for the Council's consideration. The hearing also concerns the three appeals filed regarding the decision on June 21, 1994, by the Planning Commission to approve the project. Written comments were received by Diana Thorn and Scott Dickens. 3 It was moved by Boyer and seconded by Smyth to revise condition w. DS12 to read "....no construction may commence on the entire site until it is cleared by Cal EPA/DTSC." On roll call vote: Ayes: Boyer, Heidt, Pederson, Smyth, Darcy Noes: None Absent: None Excused: None Motion carried. Following discussion regarding indemnification, insurance, property damage, bonding, it was moved by Heidt and seconded by Pederson to review written comments by the public and the project applicant regarding the draft conditions of approval; adopt Resolution No. 95-42 regarding the three porta Bella appeals of the Planning Commission action on the Porta Bella project and approving Master Case No.'s 91-164 and 93-012, Vesting Tentative Tract Map 51599, Oak Tree Permit 91-033, and a General Plan Amendment to change the land use designation to Specific Plan and amend the Highway Network of the Circulatiou Element of the General Plan; introduce Ordinance No. 95-6, waive further reading, and pass to second reading in order to approve the Porta Bella Specific Plan, including: (a.) a Zone Change to allow for Specific Plan 91-001, which includes a zoning reclassification from RS, BP and OS to Specific Plan (SP); and (b.) the establishment of special development standards, and with a caveat that an agreement must be reached with Keysor Corporation and Northolme Properties before the second reading of Ordinance No. 95-6; direct the Planning Commission to begin holding hearings in review of the Development Agreement and to report back to the City Council with recommendations no later than July 25, 1995. The motion was amended by Heidt and seconded by Pederson, to include that the City request a second opinion on condition DS15 on the coverage and protection before the second reading of the Ordinance. It was then moved by Boyer that City staff be directed by the City Council to convene the design jury to make recommendations to the Planning Commission and the expenditures shall not exceed $25,000. There was no second to this motion. City Attorney, Carl Newton, read the title to Ordinance No. 95-6. On roll call vote of the first motion and amendment: Ayes: Heidt, Pederson, Boyer, Smyth, Darcy Noes: None 4 Excused: None Absent: None Resolution No. 95-42 adopted; Ordinance No. 95-6 passed to second reading and motion carried. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Tony Nisich, City Engineer, reported that following the Northridge ITEM 3 earthquake, Placerita Canyon Road from Sierra Highway to 12th EMERGENCY STREET Street experienced undue wear on the roadway due to the additional RESTORATION WORK traffic. The Federal Emergency Management Administration PLACERITA CANYON ROAD (FEMA) approved funding for the restoration of the roadway. The SIERRA HIGHWAY/12TH Contractor, Asphalt Maintenance Company, Visalia, California has STREET PROJECT NO. completed the emergency street restoration work on Project No. 95-905 (ACCEPTANCE) 95-905, Placerita Canyon Road from Sierra Highway to 12th Street. This project was completed on December 2, 1994, for a total project cost of $65,872.84. Those addressing the Council were: Ben Curtis; Linda Townsley; Chris Townsley; Scott Dickens. There was one written comment from Valerie Thomas. Following discussion regarding FEMA, gift of public funds, it was moved by Smyth and seconded by Pederson to accept the work performed by Asphalt Maintenance Company; direct the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion, and direct staff to release the five percent retention 35 days after the Notice of Completion is recorded; direct the City Manager and the City Attorney to review all possible avenues to provide help and assistance with the road to be sure this would not be a gift of public funds, and to review options on payment of the repair. On roll call vote: Ayes: Smyth, Pederson, Heidt, Darcy Noes: Boyer Excused: None Absent: None Motion carried. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Rick Putnam, Director, Parks, Recreation and Community Services, ITEM 4 reported that this item is for consideration of acquiring SANTA CLARA RIVER approximately 40 acres of land for a river park in Canyon Country on PARKLAND the south side of the Santa Clara River adjacent to and east of the ACQUISITION -40 ACRES IN former Frontier Days site opposite Lost Canyon Road. Purchase THE LOST CANYON ROAD price not to exceed $2 million. AREA APN#2840-004-014 AND #2840-004-015 - It was moved by Heidt and seconded by Smyth to authorize the City Manager to sign all required and necessary forms to open and enter into an escrow account to remove the property from the open real UNFINISHED BUSINESS Rick Putnam, Director, Parks, Recreation and Community Services ITEM 6 reported that at its April 11, 1995 meeting, the City Council estate market; authorize a refundable deposit of $26,000 into a real estate escrow account from previously appropriated Proposition A — Specific Project revenues budget account number 24-99037-227; authorize the Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Service: to contract services for due diligence reports on property ownership records with the selected escrow company, Scott Voltz & Associates, for property appraisals; Rincon Consultants for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and on-site hazardous waste evaluations; and others for reports as required to negotiate a fair market purchase value for the parcel(s); the escrow would be subject to cancellation by the City and all environmental requirements be met and approval of the Planning Commission as to compliance with the General Plan. On roll call vote: Ayes: Heidt, Smyth, Pederson, Boyer, Darcy Noes: None Excused: None Absent: None Motion carried for items 4 and b. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Rick Putnam, Director, Parks, Recreation and Community Services ITEM 6 reported that the City of Santa Clarita has been awarded $2,480,000 SANTA CLARA RIVER from the Safe Neighborhood Parks Act passed by the voters in PARKLAND ACQUISITION November 1992 solely for the acquisition and development of Santa 26 ACRES IN THE LOST Clara River Parkland. The owner of parcel #2840-002-003 has CANYON ROAD AREA AN expressed an interest in selling approximately 26 acres of land to the #2840-002-003 City for River Parkland. It was moved by Heidt and seconded by Smyth to authorize the City Manager to sign all required and necessary forms to open and enter into an escrow account to remove the property from the open real estate market; authorize a refundable deposit of $10,000 into a real estate escrow account from previously appropriated Proposition A Specific Project revenues budget account #24-99037-227; authorize the director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services to contract services for due diligence reports on property ownership records with the selected escrow company, Rincon Consultants for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and on-site hazardous waste evaluations, and others for reports as required to negotiate a fair market purchase value for the parcel On roll call vote: (see item 4) UNFINISHED BUSINESS Rick Putnam, Director, Parks, Recreation and Community Services ITEM 6 reported that at its April 11, 1995 meeting, the City Council PARKLAND ACQUISITION - authorized negotiation of the Rivendale property and its acquisition RIVENDALE with Public Financing Authority (PFA) funding. Funds in the amount of $2 million need to be allocated from the revenue account to a capital improvement project account to be available in the City's budget for property acquisition. It was moved by Pederson and seconded by Boyer to authorize the City Manager to sign all required and necessary forms to open and enter into an escrow account and prepare an offer to purchase the Rivendale property; authorize the Director of Finance to establish budget account #28-99053-410 and appropriate $2,050,000 from the Public Financing Authority revenues to the budget; authorize the Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services' to contract services for due diligence reports on property ownership records with the selected escrow company, Rincon Consultants for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and on-site hazardous waste evaluations, and others if needed for reports as required. On roll call vote: Ayes: Pederson, Boyer, Heidt, Smyth, Darcy Noes: None Excused: None Absent: None Motion carried. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Tony Nisich, City Engineer, reported that this year's prolonged and ITEM 7 intense rainy season has again resulted in a significant rise in the FOUR OAKS AREA HIGH water table in the area of Four Oaks. Historical data indicates that GROUND WATER high rainfall amounts over the course of a winter causes the water table to rise significantly due to the "recharge" of ground water supplies. During the winter of 92-'93 the issue of high ground water was first brought to the attention of the City. In response, City staff initiated frequent sweeping of the affected area to control algae. In addition load limits were placed on the streets to restrict heavy vehicles from damaging the roadway. Addressing the Council on this matter were: Marc Wolf, Ingeborg Magnuson, Frank Di Giovanni. Written comments were received from Richard S. Pallady, John Watkinson, Rex Ratzlaff, Jamie & Carroll Steele, Charles Byers, Donna Gilstrap Davidson, Katya Valle, Lorraine Nash, Becky Natcher, Joan Kaldhusdal, Arlene Johnson, Beverly Osmonson, Roger T. Good, Harvey Bennett, Michael Kotch. Following discussion regarding formation of an assessment district, pumping the water, liability, it was moved by Boyer and seconded by Heidt to direct staff to circulate a petition for establishment of an assessment district to finance ongoing operation of the permanent 1 7 well system approved by FEMA. Councilmember Heidt offered a substitute motion to require 65% of the people approving the district. It was seconded by Smyth. On roll call vote: Ayes: Boyer, Heidt, Pederson, Smyth, Darcy Noes: None Excused: None Absent: None Motion carried. It was moved by Smyth and seconded by Heidt to transfer $50,000 from the General Fund Contingency Account No. 01-4101-290 to Account No. 01-96084-227. On roll call vote: Ayes: Boyer, Heidt, Pederson, Smyth, Darcy Noes: None Excused: None Absent: None Motion carried. RECESS Mayor Darcy recessed the meeting at 10:56 p.m. RECONVENE Mayor Darcy reconvened at 11:04 p.m. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 8 SIERRA HIGHWAY OVER THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC TRANSPORTATION COMPANY (SPTC) RAILROAD - BRIDGE NO. 53C -1776R (NORTHBOUND) AGREEMENT GRANTING TEMPORARY JURISDICTION TO THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES - RESOLUTION NO. 95-48 The subject project consists of the repair and retrofit of the bridge on Sierra Highway over the SPTC Railroad to meet seismic structural standards. The improvements will be constructed at no cost to the City and will be administered by the County. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 9 PROGRAM SUPPLEMENT AGREEMENT FOR STATE/LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS The State/Local Transportation Partnership Program identifies and participates in funding locally supported projects. As part of this program, the City has applied for $1,169,370.00 in State Partnership grant funds. Caltran's procedures for the Partnership Program requires the execution of a Local Agency -State Master Agreement. In addition, a Program Supplement must be executed for each approved project. CONSENT CALENDAR 0 ITEM 10 EMERGENCY STREET RESTORATION WORK (ER 2601-023) SOLEDAD CANYON ROAD LANGSIDE AVENUE/SIERRA HIGHWAY PROJECT NO. 95-906 (AWARD) Restore the roadway segment of Soledad Canyon Road from Langside Avenue to Sierra Highway. Caltrans has concurred in our recommendation to award this project to Southern Pacific Milling company. An asphalt -rubber hot mix utilizing recycled materials and raised pavement markers will be used in this project. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 11 FISCAL YEAR 94-95 SLURRY SEAL AND HEATER REMIX PROGRAM PROJECT NO. 95-033 - This project is designed to implement the fiscal year 94-95 slurry seal and heater remix program. The application of emulsion slurry will increase the useful pavement life. This project also proposes to heater -remix several severely deteriorated streets which are more badly deteriorated than those which are recommended for a slurry seal application. Budget in the amount of $600,000 is currently allocated for this work, and account no. 17-95033-227 have been established to track all costs associated with this project. Plans and specifications for the project have been completed and are available for review in the offices of the City Clerk and the Director of Community Development. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 12 PROJECT ACCEPTANCE - SANTA CLARA RIVER TRAIL PHASE I PROJECT NO. 99-018 7 Granite Construction Company has completed all necessary construction for Phase I of the Santa Clara River Trail. This project was accepted by the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department on Tuesday, April 4, 1995, for a total project cost of $668,405.21. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 1s RATIFICATION OF EMERGENCY TREE REMOVAL CONTRACT FOR CALIFORNIA LATE WINTER STORMS 1995 - FEMA -1046 -DR As a result of the heavy rainstorms which occurred on March 10-12, 1995,approximately seventy-five trees throughout the City were downed which posed a threat to the public health and safety. The City issued an emergency purchase order to Golden Bear Arborists, Inc. For the removal of the trees. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 14 AWARD CONTRACT FOR COMPUTERIZED TREE INVENTORY SERVICE The Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department recently accepted proposals for contract computerized tree inventory service. The Department is seeking a qualified company to inventory the City s estimated 35,000 street, park, and facility trees. CONSENT CALENDAR ITEM 15 r CHECK REGISTER NO. 15 FOR THE PERIODS OF 04/01/95 TO 04/05/95 AND 04/13/95; CHECK r k 9 REGISTER NO. 16 FOR THE PERIODS OF 04/07/95 TO 04/12/95 AND 04/20/95. It was moved by Pederson and seconded by Smyth to approve the consent calendar. It was moved by Heidt and seconded by Pederson to authorize the purchase of the Via Princessa Rail Station from the Newhall Land and Farming Company; direct the City Manager to negotiate a purchase price comparable to recent nearby land sales; appropriate up to $25,000 from AB 2766 Air Quality Improvement Funds to Account 55-7000-410 to open the escrow account upon agreement of a purchase price; appropriate $5,000 from AB 2766 Air Quality Improvement Funds to Account 55-7000-227 to pay for an environmental assessment of the property. On roll call vote: Ayes: Heidt, Pederson, Boyer, Smyth, Darcy Noes: None Excused: None Absent: None Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS On roll call vote: ITEM 17 Ayes: Boyer, Heidt, Pederson, Darcy PRESENTATION OF Noes: None 1995/96 OPERATING AND Absent: None CAPITAL BUDGET AND 5 Excused: Smyth YEAR CIP Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS With the use of transit funds, staff is recommending the ITEM 16 purchase of the existing rail station located on 8.5 acres at Via PURCHASE OF Princessa near Sierra Highway from the Newhall Land and PRINCESSA RAIL Farming Company. Staff is currently seeking a grant from STATION the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, MTA to fund 75% of the purchase. Staff and the owner have thereby negotiated a structured purchase agreement to integrate the grant procedures into the purchase agreement. It was moved by Heidt and seconded by Pederson to authorize the purchase of the Via Princessa Rail Station from the Newhall Land and Farming Company; direct the City Manager to negotiate a purchase price comparable to recent nearby land sales; appropriate up to $25,000 from AB 2766 Air Quality Improvement Funds to Account 55-7000-410 to open the escrow account upon agreement of a purchase price; appropriate $5,000 from AB 2766 Air Quality Improvement Funds to Account 55-7000-227 to pay for an environmental assessment of the property. On roll call vote: Ayes: Heidt, Pederson, Boyer, Smyth, Darcy Noes: None Excused: None Absent: None Motion carried. NEW BUSINESS George Caravalho, City Manager, explained that item is on ITEM 17 the agenda for formal presentation of the fiscal year 1995/96 PRESENTATION OF operating and capital budget as well as transmittal of the five 1995/96 OPERATING AND year CIP. In order to allow for a thorough review of the CAPITAL BUDGET AND 5 various components of budget, and provide for adoption of the YEAR CIP budget on June 27, a schedule was presented for Council consideration. ` 10 Upon consensus of the Council, the budget presentation will be made on June 6, 1995, 4:00 p.m. COMMITTEE REPORTS Mayor Darcy stated the Small Business Center will be short $60,000 by the end of August and will be needing financial assistance. ADJOURNMENT At 11:42 p.m., it was moved by Smyth and seconded by Boyer to adjourn the meeting. Hearing no objections, it was so ordered. ATTEST: 4*p&� ieuy�- CIJ m�ys.as