HomeMy Public PortalAbout1999-06-16 Town of Truckee
TOWN COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
June 16, 1999, 2:00 P.M.
Truckee Donner Public Utility District Conference Room
11570 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, CA
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Susman called the special Council meeting to order at 2:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Councilmembers: Drake, Florian, McCormack, Schneider, and Mayor Susman
ALSO PRESENT:
Stephen L. Wright, Town Manager; Jill Olsen, Administrative Services
Director; Tony Lashbrook, Director of Community Development; Tom
Covey, Director of Public Works; Dan Wilkins, Town Engineer; Gary
Jacobson, Captain/Police Chief; Dan Olsen, Animal Control Supervisor; and
Vicki C. Soderquist, Town Clerk
PUBLIC COMMENTS - None
COUNCIL IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES
4.1 1999/2000 Fiscal Year Budget Workshop
Animal Control - Mr. Wright stated that the proposed budget included the following staffing
increases - one fulltime animal enforcement officer and a part-time kennel attendant. The CIP
included supportive equipment, vehicle costs, and computer software upgrades. Mayor Susman
questioned if the requests were needed to maintain the level of'service or would they increase the level
of service. Mr. Olsen stated that the proposed staffing would increase the level of service and
education, but also keep up with growth. Mayor Susman questioned ifa response had been received
regarding the fee increases in the contract areas. Mr. Olsen replied that there had been no response
from Sierra County or Loyalton. He would not hire the new officer until that was resolved.
Councilmember Schneider questioned why vehicle abatement was done by Animal Control. Mr.
Olsen replied that they took over the duties in 1995 as they were already in the field. At the present
time it was a more involved process due to hearings, etc. Mr. Lashbrook noted that it could be shified
to Code Enforcement.
Councihnember Drake questioned how the kennel would be staffed. Mr. Otsen stated that it would
require a five-day per week/four hour split shift. Mr. Wright stated that two people could fill the
position. Mr. Olsen stated that only he and the secretary would be in the office. The animal control
officers would be working out of the kennel.
Councilmember Schneider stated that an issue raised by the public was more weekend and evening
patrols. Mr. Olsen replied that with the new officer they would be able to utilize early morning and
evening patrols, as well as two officers on weekends. The officers would also share the kennel
responsibilities on the weekends. Councilmember McCormack questioned the increase in hours. Mr.
Olsen replied that there would be an 82% increase.
Mayor Susman questioned the vehicle status. Mr. Olsen replied that one vehicle was due to be
immediately replaced and there was a CIP item to replace another vehicle next year.
Councilmember Drake questioned the increase in citations. Mr. Olsen stated that there were 105
citations issued last year and they estimated there would be 400-500 citations issued by the end of the
current year. Councilmember Drake questioned the purchase of shotguns. Mr. Olsen replied that they
were safer than using 9 mm because there were usually people and traffic near by, they also wanted
to get away from long rifles.
Mayor Susman questioned the percentage of fines received. Mr. Olsen replied that from an $80 fine
the Town would get $20. He hoped to explore the possibility of getting out of the court system and
handling animal control citations like parking fines.
Mr. Olsen stated that the new position would have to go through the DMG process. All
Councilmembers supported the use of temporary help until the position could be filled.
Law Enforcement - Mr. Wright stated that most of the budget was contract related activities. He
noted that the position of narcotics deputy did not exist - there were fourteen deputies. The budget
included an additional dispatcher and $22,000 for the portion of the school resoumes officer, which
the School District was not funding. $18,000 was included for enhanced vehicles (upgrading to
Expeditions, or comparable, due to thc problems with the size of current vehicles). He had requested
an analysis to justify the upgrade, but the funding was included.
Councilmember Drake recommended that consideration be given to the addition of a mechanic in
Public Works to do routine maintenance on the Police Department vehicles. Mr. Wright replied that
the difficulty was space, they needed a shop that could handle all Town vehicles.
Mr. Wright stated that the boating enforcement supplies were new. Councilmember Drake explained
the difficulty of installing/retrieving buoys. Councilmember McCormack recommended that the Town
not place buoys in the Lake. Mayor Susman stated that it was not a large amount and recommended
that from a policy standpoint the Council could evaluate it in the future.
Councilmember McCormack stated the Council needed to address the staffing issues regarding the
school resources officer. Mr. Wright stated that if the Town funded the unfunded portion of the school
resources office it would probably not be traffic but general law enforcement. Councilmember
McCormack agreed that there was a need for that.
Councilmember Drake expressed his concern with the Town funding the other half of the school
resource officer for the School District, he recommended that the position stay one half time.
Councilmember McCormack questioned if that would be affective. Captain Jacobson replied that the
officer did counseling, wrote all reports involving the schools, and coordinated DARE activities. If
the position was fully funded he would keep the officer at the school on a full time basis. There was
an escalation of school violence throughout California and they were not seeing weapons and they
wanted to keep it that way. Mr. Wright stated they would be reducing the level of service but noted
that the Council had increased it the year before when COPS money was obtained and the position
created.
Mr. Wright recommended that if the Council funded the staffing level that they assign the manpower
assignments to the Captain. Captain Jacobson stated that he presently used the position to provide
assistance for general law enforcement and would continue to do that.
Planning - Mr. Lashbrook stated that the budget included payment for the Planning Commission, i.e.
$100/month per commissioner. Mr. Wright stated that the change in policy would be agendized for
the July 1st meeting. Councilmember McCormack questioned if the amounts budgeted aimed at doing
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June 16, 1999 Special
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the work in the timeframe the work could be done or was money holding them back. Mr. Lashbrook
stated projects were scheduled in order to reach equilibrium of staffing, Planning Commission
availability and Council availability to deal with the issues, it was the most efficient scheduling of
time.
Mayor Susman questioned the level of service in Building and Safety. Mr. Lashbrook replied that
they had added two temporary positions - a building inspector and counter person. The Department
did not want to use contract plan checking. There was currently a huge backlog due to TTSA sewer
fee increases; i.e. they had to have a permit issued prior to July 1st. Mr. Wright noted that anything
submitted today would not have a permit issued by July 1st. MI'. Lashbrook stated that if they did not
see a reduction in the workload after July 1st they may be back to Council for additional funding.
There was no real way to gauge what would happen through the season.
Redevelopment Agency - Councilmember McCormack noted that l 5% of Mr. Wright's time had
been budgeted in the RDA. Mr. Wright stated that there was a high expectation that he would be
spending much more time on redevelopment activities:
Needs Assessment Study - Councilmember McCormack stated that last year the Council had
budgeted $2,000 for the needs assessment activity. They would not know if there was any benefit
received until the second cycle, therefore he recommended continued support at $2,000. Mr. Wright
stated that there was an additional $5,000 in the Council budget that could be utilized. Councilmember
McCormack recommended that it be identified in the budget for further review prior to additional
funding.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS:
Town Hall - Mr. Wright stated that a Town Hall was on the Council's priority list. Staff was
proceeding with the needs assessment process to determine the footprint, parking requirements, etc.
Glenshire Bridge - Mr. Wilkins informed the Council that the contractor was "dragging his feet" in
his opinion, but staffwas holding the liquidated damages over their heads. They had eighty working
days to complete the project (mid-m-late September). Councilmember McCormack questioned when
demolition of the old bridge would occur. Mr. Wilkins stated that it would not be until next year. Mr.
Wright stated that staff would put more pressure on the contractor and express the Council's concerns.
Downtown Drainage - Councilmember McCormack stated that he did not feel the Council could
offer any other input on the project. Mr. Wright stated that staff would proceed to advertise the project.
Councilmember McCormack agreed and felt it could be brought back as a consent item to award the
bid.
Hw¥ 267/Glenshire - George Robertson, Glenshire, questioned the problem with the intersection.
Mr. Covey replied that in the mornings the traffic backed up on Glenshire beyond the two lanes.
Councilmember Schneider requested a recap at the end of year indicating the amount of grants
received and applied for.
Measure A - George Robertson, Glenshire, questioned why the figures varied from year to year.
Mr. Wilkins replied that the Town anticipated approximately $790,000/year in revenues and the
budget sheet reflected what staff anticipated to be spent for that particular year. In some cases they
may save revenues from one year to do a bigger project the next year or save to pay back revenues for
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June 16, 1999 Special
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a project done the prior year. Ms. Olsen stated that a portion of the budget was also going to repay
the loan for prior Measure A roadwork.
Guardrails - Mayor Susman questioned if Caltrans funding was available for the proposed widening
of Glenshire Drive. Mr. Wilkins stated that they anticipated using AB 1600 funds. Councilmember
Schneider questioned if the widening project would include bike lanes. Mr. Wilkins replied that there
would be 4ft shoulders that could be used as a bike lane.
Trout Creek Restoration - Councilmember Schneider questioned if staff would be working with
habitat restoration groups. Mr. Wilkins replied that they were working with Lahonton and were
applying for a grant from the State Water Resources Control Board. Mr. Wright noted that there could
be a General Fund commitment in the future.
Tahoe Donner Connector - Councilmember McCormack questioned when the study would be
available to the public. Mr. Wilkins stated it would be brought to Council in approximately six weeks.
Mayor Susman questioned what the triggers were. Mr. Covey stated that the key was to do the study
right away because the Town did not want development telling them where to put the road or what
would best serve PC2. Mr. Lashbrook stated that the Town needed to develop a decision path with
trigger points for spending.
Downtown District ROW Survey - Councilmember Schneider questioned the $10,000 expenditure.
Mr. Wilkins replied that it was for a surveyor for title searches and to research disputes.
Councilmember Schneider did not feel it was enough money. Mr. Wilkins replied that the project was
$80,000 with half in the Downtown Streetscape project.
DT Parking & Streetscape - Councilmember Drake felt there needed to be a cut off from Town
funding at some point. Mr. Lashbmok stated that the next step would be a petition from members of
the district requesting the Council to formally initiate the process.
Truckee River Trail - Councilmember Schneider questioned if Rotary was asking for more than was
budgeted. Mr. Lashbrook stated they had requested $26,000 for design. Councilmember McCormack
stated that he was not seeing the whole picture, but was not opposed. Mr. Lashbrook stated that the
Town's comrmtment was for a segment of trail that would actually be built to connect Regional Park
to the pedestrian bridge (West River Street).
5. ADJOURNMENT. Mayor Susman adjourned the meeting at 4:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Vicki C. Soderquist, CMC~ Clerk
Town of Truckee
June 16, 1999 Special
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