HomeMy Public PortalAbout1995-03-02 Town of Truckee
TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
March 2, 1995
6:00 P.IV~
Truckee Donner Public Utility District Board Room
11570 Donner Pass Road
I. C3II, TO ORDER Mayor Cross called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
ROll, CAll, Town Manager Wright called the roll with Council Members Carpenter,
Drake, Eagan, McCormack and Mayor Cross present. Also present were Town Manager
Steve Wright, Public Works Director Jon Lander, Community Development Director Tony
Lashbrook, Finance Director Jill Brown, Town Attorney Dennis Crabb and Executive
Secretary Brenda LeBlanc
3. PIlaf)GE OF ),I I,FI3IANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Eric Larusson.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT None at this time.
5. PRFSENTATIONS.
95-05 5.1 Resolution Recognizing Eric Larusson's Service on the Planning Commission.
Motion made by Council Member Carpenter to adopt this resolution, second by
Council Member Drake. Motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Cross presented Eric with a resolution and thanked him for his hard work
and dedication to the Planning Commission.
Eric Larusson stated that he had enjoyed working on the Planning Commission for
its reward and the opportunity to watch things evolve and change. He also
complimented the Planning Department.
CONSENT CALENDAR
6.1 February 16,1995 1Wmutes. Approved
95-04 6.2
Golf Carts in Public Right-of-Way Ordinance 95-04 (second reading).
Approved
6.3
California Transportation Commission Vacancy. Council authorized the Mayor
to send a letter to Governor Pete Wilson urging the appointment of Edward B.
Sylvester to the Califomia Transportation Commission.
March 2, 1995
2
6.4
Design Services for the Widening of West River Slreet. Council authorized the
Public Works Director to enter into a professional engineering services agreement
with Michael F. Sullivan.
Motion made by Council Member McCormack to accept the Consent Calendar,
second by Council Member Drake. Motion passed unan/mously.
Mayor Cross briefly reviewed the reason for support in the appointment of
Edward B. Sylvester to the California Transportation Commission.
~CIL IMMEDIATE (9-12 IVK)NTH) PRIORI'rlEq
7.1 Town Charter Ballot Arguments.
Town Manager Stephen Wright briefed the Council on the proposed Charter Ballot
Argument that would appear on the June, 1995 ballot. He noted that the Charter
Committee is presenting it to Council for their review and comment. For public
information Town Manager Wright read the Charter Ballot Argument.
Council Member Carpenter suggested that the word "would" be changed to
"could" and that the word "will" be changed to "can".
Mayor Cross opened public comment. None at this time
No action required by the Council.
STAFF REPORTS
8.4 PUD Building Lease Agreement and Remodel
Town Manager Wright asked that this item be pulled in order receive further
information necessary to present at a later Council Meeting.
8.1 Local Interagency Consolidation/Cooperation Issues.
Town Manager Wright noted that the reason for this issue being put on the
Council Agenda was to allow the Council the opportunity to discuss this issue
rather than through individual news interviews. Mr. Wright noted that local
agency managers have been meeting on a regular basis to discuss current issues
and suggestions for interagency cooperation and communication. He also noted
that consolidation has not been discussed or considered by the Council.
Town Council Minutes
March 2, 1995
3
Mayor Cross opened public comment. None at this time
Council Member Eagan noted that she was uncomfortable that this issue had be
printed in the newspaper since the Council has not addressed tiffs issue.
Council Member Carpenter noted the importance of coordination between the local
agencies and having periodic meetings.
Council Member McCormack noted that he did not want this issue perceived by
the public that this was coming from the Town Council. He also noted that he
would not like to recommend consolidation in the absence of significant public
desire or requests from the agencies to pursue the idea of consolidation.
Council Member Drake stated that he felt there would be significant cost savings
realized in some areas. He stated that all future Councils should be alert and
vigilant and aggressively pursue the most cost efficient delivery of services to the
taxpayers of this community. He listed the duplications of services among the
difference agencies in Truckee that would promote savings. He stated that a
through study of consolidation should be done if consolidation is the desire of the
community and special districts.
Mayor Cross noted that the community (through a pre-incorporation survey) was
happy with the operation of the special districts and that the Council should
concentrate on road and planning issues. He stated that if a special district came
to the Town, noting that there would be some benefit in analyzing the idea of
consolidation, he would be willing to take that on as an additional task. Mayor
Cross noted some of his concerns and stated that he doesn't feel that the Town
should address this issue at this time.
Council Member Eagan noted that one of her concems is the status of
employees/jobs. She fek that the Town needs to be alert for cost savings and she
strongly supports any effort in cooperation. She also noted that it was not clear
to her the level of interest on the part of the public at this time.
Mayor Ct~ss opened la~blic comment.
~g_B_ug_qrftO~ Manager of Truckee Sanitary District. Mr. Butteffield noted that
there was a great deal of coordination and cooperation between the special
districts (he listed some of those efforts). He noted that they had not received
inputs on the idea of consolidation. He agreed with the idea that the Mayor,
Town manager and representatives from the special districts meet together.
Jim___Cag..u!~g suggested that the Council select a committee to look into the idea
of consolidation and that this committee should be looking at efficiencies in
govemment and not at eliminating special disaScts.
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March 2, 1995
4
Joe Aguera referred back to a previous attempt to incorporate that included
merging the special districts and how it failed. He noted some examples of
cooperation between the Town and special districts.
Mayor Cross thanked Oz ButteflSeld and TSD for providing a storage area for the
Town's Public Works Department. He also thanked PUD for housing Town Hall.
He suggested that he and Town Manager Wright pursue the idea of setting up a
meeting with managers fi.om the special districts.
Motion made by Council Member McCormack that the Council direct the Mayor
and Town Manager to initiate discussions with other special districts in the
community for the purpose of determining their interest in pursuing joint analysis
of opportunities, second by Council Member Drake. Motion passed unanimously
Mayor Cross suggested that the Town Manager dratt a letter to all the managers,
to allow time for their respective boards to meet to direct their managers to come
back with their ideas on consolidation and then meet with the Town.
Town Manager Wright suggested that the focus not only be on the issue of
consolidation but also on the issue of cooperation.
8.2
Donner Lake Personal WatercmR Restrictions Ordinance
Town IVlanager Wright reviewed the draft ordinance that identifies the basic
information to implement the Council Committee recommendations. He stated
that once Council comments on the ordinance, staff then will submit the draft to
the State of Califomia for their review and comments (30 day requirement).
After this process, staff would bring back the ordinance to Council for a first and
second reading.
Council Member Drake discussed the language of the age limit in the ordinance
versus the States Law's age limit requirement. He also noted that the ordinance
stated that there would be a review of the contents of the ordinance in a year and
that Council had decided, at a previous meeting, that this would be discussed in
August, 1995.
Council discussed altemative age limit regulatiom in the use of certain types of
watercratt. Council Member McCormack noted that because the Council had
declared Donner Lake as a Special Use Area that the Town could set their own
limits. Mayor Cross noted that in the previous Council meeting discussion that
Council had decided that the language in the ordinance would state that fishing
boats would be excluded fi'om the age limit. Council Member McCormack noted
a revision in the minutes, fi'om the February 16, 1995 Council Meeting, regarding
the issue of age limit on a fishing boat that is under 10HP.
Town Council Minutes
March 2, 1995
5
Mayor Cross opened public comment.
95-06 8.3
David Miller. operator of Donner Lake Village Resort boat rental operation. Mr.
Miller gave a brief history on the boat rental operation on Donner Lake. He noted
that only 2% of the Town's population responded to this issue, objecting to
personal watercrat'~ on Donner Lake. He objected to the ordinance because he felt
it was directed at the boat rental operation.
~ - Noted that a copy of the Califomia Boater Laws are available at the
Department of Motor Vehicles and that it refers to age restrictions and different
sizes of boats that can be operated by a certain age limit. He stated that there
needs to be a definition of "motorized watercraft". He stated that he was
concerned with the statement that no person shall fuel motorized watercraft in or
around Donner Lake except through the use of non-spill gasoline cans.
Council Member Carpenter noted that the ordinance allows for the Town to
establish standards at a later time as to the number of motorized watercraft and
to the type of motorized watercraR allowed on Donner Lake.
Council Member Eagan stated that a growing town will have the pressures as to
its resources and products available and that this can create conflicts. She stated
that she feels positive about the approach that the Committee has taken on this
issue.
Council discussed separating swimmers and boaters, permitting concessionaires on
the Lake, horsepower of boats, wording in the ordinance, language in use the word
personal watercraft versus motorized watercraft and age limit for the operation of
personal watercraft.
After Council discussion Town Attorney Crabb noted that Article 2, paragraph 2
would be changed to read "motorized watercraft over 15 horsepower on Donner
Lake".
Motion made by Council Member McCormack that the Council approve the
language of the ordinance revising Article 2, paragraph 2 to include "motorized
watercraft over 15 horsepower" for submittal to State Boating and Waterways to
allow for review and comment, second by Council Member Carpenter. Motion
passed unanimously.
Authorize the Purchase of Public Works Vehicles.
Public Works Director Jon Lander presented a request to the Town Council for
the purchase of 1- I ton cab and chassis and 1 - 3/4 ton pickup track through the
Califomia Department of General Services. He noted that the price for the
vehicles ($39,272) exceeded the Town's original budget estimate for this purchase
($30,000). He also noted that through the operational needs these vehicles would
become additions to the Town's vehicle fleet rather than replacement vehicles
Town Council Iv[mutes
Iv'arch 2, 1995
6
previously anticipated even though several of the Town's existing pickup tracks
should be replaced. Finally he requested that the Town Council adopt a
resolution authorizing the Department of General Services of the State of
Califomia to purchase these vehicles pursuant to Govemment Codes Section
14814.
Council Member Eagan stated that she did not have a problem with the increased
costs in the vehicles. She does have a concern with doing piecemeal expansion
of the vehicles fleet without doing an analysis of employees versus vehicle ratio.
Council Member Carpenter asked for clarification on what happens to the sand
ham project if Council proceeds with staffs recommendation to purchase these
vehicles? Mr. Lander stated that cousmmtion for the sand bam will not be
finished before the next fiscal year and that the Department plans on proceeding
with the site master plan this year. He stated that with the balance that Public
Works has now, there will be enough money to finish the design and foundation
work on the sand bam.
Council Member Eagan asked staffhow long the lease company is willing to carry
their commitment for the Sand Barn? Finance Director Jill Brown stated that the
interest rote portion on the sand barn may not be locked in any longer, however
the rotes for the vehicles are locked in.
Mayor Ch)ss opened for public comment. None at this time
Motion made by Council Member Eagan to give staff the authorization to
purchase 1 - 3/4 ton pickup and 1 - 1 ton cab and chassis; that Council approve
the overage in the budget as a result of this purchase; and approve Resolution 95-
06 authorizing the Department of General Services of the State of Califomia to
purchase the Public Works vehicles pursuant to Government Code Section 14814,
second by Council Member McCormack. Motion passed unanimously.
o
9.1 Report on the Team Building Workshop
Town Manager Wright briefly reviewed the Team Building Workshop between
Town Staff and Town Council. He noted that the fn'st day was spent on how the
management team could best work together. The second day was spent on
developing priorities for the coming year. Mr. Wright stated that the facilitator,
Bill Lewis, is developing a written report that will detail the agreements that were
reached and the various priorities list that were developed - hopefully this will be
available at the next meeting.
All Council Members concurred that this was a very positive and worthwhile
workshop.
Town Council Minutes
March 2, 1995
7
Council Member McCormack reported on a youth drag abuse meeting that he attended.
He noted that one activity that is taking place is the DATE Group (Drugs, Alcohol,
Tobacco Education) - they have met a couple of times and they are focusing on a review
of the questionnaire that the 7th - llth grade students completed. He noted that in
general all substance use has increased. The meas of observation fi'om the analysis are:
dmgs are readily available, there is pervasive use by adults and the harmfulness of drags
is not recognized by students - the message is not getting through.
Council Member Carpenter reported on the appointment Dennis Zirbel to the North Sierra
Air Quality Management District's Heating Body.
10. AIXDiJRN1V~NT. Meeting adjoumed at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Approved this 16th day of March, 1995