HomeMy Public PortalAbout1994-04-26 Town of Tmckcc
SPECIAL JOINT MEEHNG
Apil 26, 1994
1'.35 P. iV[
Truckee Donner Public Utility Disaict Boant Room
11570 Donner Pass Road
CAI I, TO ORDER. Mayor Kathleen Eagan called the Town Council to order at 1:52
PM to join the Nevada County Board of Supervisors.
ROII,C^II. Town Manager Wright called the roll with Council Members Aguera,
Botto, Carpenter, Cross, and Mayor Eagan being present. Also present were Town
Manager Wright, Town Attorney Dennis Crabb, Town Treasurer Janet McGinnis,
Community Development Director Tony Lashbrook and Secretary Jim Smith.
PI,kT83{E OF AIIFGIANCE. Waived.
PUBLIC COMMENT. None.
PRESENTATIONS. Town Manager Wright introduced an urgency matter that due to
the day of national mouming in honor of former President Richard Nixon, declared by
President Bill Clinton, the Council needed to take immediate action on this item which
arose after the agenda had been prepared and distributed. Council Member Carpenter
moved to place this urgency matter before the Council, which motion was seconded by
Council Member Botto. The motion passed unanimously.
Town Manager Wright recommended that the Council not declare April 27, 1994 as a
holiday but to declare it a day of mounting. Council Member Carpenter moved to
deny holiday status, but declared April 27, 1994 as a day of mourning in honor of
former President Richard IV[ Nixon. Said motion was seconded by Council Member
Aguera, which motion passed unanimously.
A. Review and Status Report on Tmckee's Incorporation on the County:
Accountin~ County Administrator Latimer indicated to both the Council and
the Board of Supervisors that the LAFCO estimates have been fairly accurate with a
loss to the County of approximately $420,000 in general. Road revenue funds were
down by $400,000 with $80,000 less in fuel tax revenue and timber sales. It was later
clarified that the $400,000 road revenue decrease was a statewide trend and not
Town Council Minutes
Page 2
entirely related to Tmckee's incorporation. Equipment sold to the Town totaled
$115,000 and the balance of equipment was tumed back to the leasing companies.
Town Attomey Crabb suggested three altematives for accounting related to
new parcel charges: 1) continue the current system; 2) enter into JPA to cover full
Town services; or 3) rely on LAFCO criteria. The issue of County Service Areas
(CSA) and Town Special Service Areas (TSSA) was discussed. June 30 is the
deadline for the Town to submit parcel charges in order for the County to include
these on the next tax bill and to have the County as a the collector. There was
discussion that the Town might dissolve all TSSAs and create one new townwide
service area charge. Board Chair Knecht suggested that the managers and attorneys
meet at a date certain and report back to Council and Board with recommendations.
The June 30th date was noted as the deadline for the Town to organize and be
agendized for the County Supervisors to take action prior to the Fall tax bill
preparation.
Tahoe-Donner Maintenance Yard: Administrator Latimer stated for the record
that there was $375,000 in this particular County fund and that an estimate of $20,000
had been received for the contamination clean-up, leaving a balance of $355,000
which would be turned over to the Town. Latimer concurred with inquiries that
interest is accruing and that funds received fi.om the State for 1992-93 winter snow
removal costs are being included in the balance of $355,000.
purchaseq'ransfer of County Equipment: $115,000 of County equipment had
been sold to the Town during the start-up phase of Town operations. The County
believed that all necessary pink slips for transfer of title had been delivered to the
Town. Town staff will research this area and provide a report to the County.
Use of County and Town Facilities: General consensus among both entities
was that it would be beneficial to combine County human services wherever possible.
B. Provision of County Services in Tmckee/Eastem Nevada County:
Health Depamnent: Gary House, Administrator, NevM. County Health
Department, provided a general overview of County health services, and further stated
that he would like to staff one person in Truckee in an effort to further reduce costs.
42% of the County's birth rote is from the Eastern County and he would like to
establish more service to infants, small children, the Mexiean-Ameriean population,
and increase HIV testing services. The desired long term goal is to provide equal
service across the County.
Town Cotmcil Minutes
Page 3
Council Member Cross inquired whether County health services could be
extended to eastem Placer County (Tahoe City, Kings Beach). AdminisWator House
indicated that he would like to see service expanded to that area, but needs to locate
additional funding.
Superior Court & Library.: County Administrator Latimer presented remarks
on behalf of Judge Holmer and the County Librarian. Judge Holmer has voluntarily
expanded court services in Truckee by adding Superior Court services for "general"
Superior Court issues. Criminal matters are still held in Nevada City. One additional
clerk position is being added to the Truckee Municipal Court staff for the added
services. Administrator Latimer noted for the record that 12% of all County Library
usage is from the Truckee branch and the County is now recruiting for a Librarian 1I
(supervisor) position for Truckee, although volunteers are still needed. Mayor Eagan
thanked the County for their sincere efforts for providing additional staffing/services
for the Truckee Branch Library.
Supervisor Drake presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the Friends of the
Nevada County Libraries for a donation of $10,000 to the County for the purchase of
books for the County libraries.
Mental Health: Diane Chenoweth, Director of the County's Mental Health
Department, also noted that lower funding results in lower services throughout the
County. Services are currently provided every other week to the Eastern County with
1/2 time for a mental health therapist (approximately 15 hours per week) and 1/2 time
for a drag counselor (approximately 20 hours per week). A psychialrist travels
between Truckee and Nevada City once a week.
(Council Member Aguem left the meeting at 3:05 PM and returned at 3:20 PM due to a work
related call.)
E. Status of 267 B.vpass: This item was taken out of order to accommodate
County staff schedules. Nevada County Transportation Commission Executive
Director Dan Landon reported to both the Council and the Supervisors that the State
has approved $20 million for the general project. Due to a redesign of the project, the
northern end of the bridge needs to be raised an additional five to ten feet to
accommodate a new direction for the interchange with 1-80. A representative fi'om
CalTrans is meeting with the Town Council in May to discuss the total project.
C. ~: Acting Planning Director, Tom Miller, presented a brief
overview of the County's General Plan. The County's EIR (Environmental Impact
Report) should be ready by July with a presentation to the County's Planning
Commission for August/September and then to the Supervisors by November, 1994.
Town Cotmcil 1Wmutes
Page 4
No major differences in land use or population figures were reported at this time.
Director Miller stated that the fiscal analysis segment had been sent out for contract.
Council Member Cross inquired whether the County's EIR can be shared with the
Town, and Director Miller stated that it could be done. Much discussion ensued
between Mayor Eagan and Chair Knecht regarding whether or not input fi.om the
Eastern Nevada County Steering Committee had been included in the County's General
Plan update process.
Town of Tmckee's Community Development Director Tony Lashbrook then
presented a brief overview of the Town's General Plan process. A general plan
consultant had been retained by the Town; a draft of the Town's Vision Statement was
being developed and a land use map would be ready by June/July. Hearings on the
Town's Draft EIR are scheduled for this Fall and final hearings in early 1995.
D. Natural Gas Distribution to Truckee: Chris Hershberger, District Manager for
Southwest Gas, was in attendance and provided a status report. The Califomia Public
Utilities Commission has required an Environmental Impact Statement (ELS) which
will delay the entire project approximately one year. The Draft EIS should be
available in two-to-three weeks. Construction is now slated to begin in 1995 in the
Tahoe Basin and will not reach Truckee until 1996 and 1997. The company plans to
utilize this time to reevaluate service to Truckee. Dialogue has already begun with
Town officials regarding construction periods, road damage, combining of local
utility/special district construction projects so less mad damage impacts would result to
the Town's streets. County Administrator Latimer said the County was utilizing a
Geographic Information System and added that sharing the County's system could be
very helpful to the Town for this project.
Jim Goulding. Truckee resident, stated that he supported the need for natural
gas service and also combining projects with local districts. He also supported any
efforts to underground utility service.
E. Board Goals and Objectives for 1994/95: Chair Knecht advised the Council
that a valuable exercise the Supervisors conducted as part of the Countywide "right-
sizing" efforts was to have each Supervisor make a list of goals for their respective
District. The common goals listed by all Supervisors are listed below in ranking
order:
1) User/business fi-iendly provision of County services
2) Continue the "right-sizing" process coupled with #I above
3) Continue cost of operation expense reduction
4) Affordable/alternative housing
5) Economic development
Town Council Minutes
Page 5
A total of 16 goals was submitted by the Supervisors. All Supervisors agreed
to enhanced working relationships with the cities of Gross Valley, Nevada City and the
Town of Truckee.
Individual Supervisor goals were listed: WEIR: Alternative housing;
SCHULTZ: Business friendly service promotion; DRAKE: Privatization and
distribution of goals to department heads; TOBIASSON: User friendly.
Many kudos were exchanged amongst the Council Membem/Supervisors and
County/Town for joint cooperation on a variety of issues. Suggestions offered
included additional joint meetings; Town issuing County building permits; JPAs for
Animal Control, Public Works and Planning.
G. Stampede/Boca Dmwdown: Supervisor Drake gave a report regarding state,
federal, counties and private support received by the Town of Tmckee's Mayor Eagan
on this urgency issue. Supervisor Drake urged the implementation of an upstream
water users team to monitor water use for the whole basin, as well as on-going
negotiations for the Truckee River Operating Agreement, and to keep the public
informed of water usage issues.
Todd Juvinall, Califomia Association of Business, Property and Resource
Owners representative, alerted the Town Council that eight (8) rivers on the eastem
slope of the Sierra Crest are designated as wild and scenic rivers and the Town would
lose jurisdiction if the designations are approved. Two of the "rivers" are Cold Stream
and Alder Creek.
MAT'FERS OF INTERF,~T TO COUNCIL MEMBERS. Waived.
ADJGURNW~NT Mayor Eagan adjourned the Council meeting at 4:40 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Town Manager/Clerk
Approved the 5th day of May, 1994.