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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-22-2000 City Council Study SessionMINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 130 SOUTH MAIN STREET LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 2000 ~:~~:~~:~~*~*~*~~~:~~**~:~~~~~~**~~:~*~~~**~~*~~:~*~~**~*~~*~~*~*~.*~*~*~~* CALL TO ORDER The City Council Study Session was called to order by Mayor Brinley at 4:00 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: KELLEY, SCHIFFNER, BRINLEY ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: METZE, PAPE Also present were: City Manager Watenpaugh, Assistant City Manager Best, City Attorney Leibold, Community Development Director Brady, Information/Communications Manager Dennis, City CierWHuman Resources Director Kasad. a. Aeenda Review Mayor Brinley noted the addition of a Presentation to the agenda and advised that Chuck Sacks from California Skier would be discussing the upcoming 2000 Flight Worlds Event. Consent Calendar Councilman Schiffner indicated that the Minutes on Page 5 of Item l.b. regarding the contract amount with Animal Friends of the Valley should be changed from $80,000 to $85,000; and noted the need for the same change on Page 11. Mayor Brinley questioned Item #4 regarding the Slurry Seal Program. City Manager Watenpaugh indicated that this was for slurry sealing in the Avenues. Mayor Brinley noted that the striping had not been completed on Main Street, and indicated that the overspray was bad on this project. She advised that she had been receiving complaints from the downtown merchants, that the work looks sloppy. Councilman Schiffner noted that they had used glass beads on the parking stalls and inquired if they would be used in the stripes. City Manager Watenpaugh indicated that the stripes would utilize thermaplastics. Mayar Brinley questioned Item #6 regarding the LAFCO hearing on the Lusk Annexationo City Manager Watenpaugh indicated that it was approved at L,AFCO with no problems and explained the approval process. PAGE ~'WO - STITI)Y SESSION MINUTES - AUGUST 22, 2000 Public Hearings Mayor Brinley noted that Item #21 regarding the Outlet Center Specific Plan includes a new sign program. Councilwoman Kelley indicated that after the Study Session on this topic, she had no additional questions. Councilman Schiffner concurred that this project involved a lot of signage, but he had no problem with it. Councilwoman Kelley questioned the use of logos on the signs on the Collier side of the center. Community Development Director Brady clarified this signage. City Manager Watenpaugh addressed Item 13 on page 6 of 37 regarding the message sign; and noted that Councilman Metze was concerned with having an agreement in place before the signs are final. He indicated that a copy of the agreement for the 76 Station sign board, had been forwarded to the Outlet Center for review; and noted that the e~cisting agreement requires that 15 minutes out of every hour be made aeailable to the City. He clarified that the sign would not be finalized until the agreement is complete. Councilwoman Kelley inquired if staff was happy with the requirements. Community Development Director Brady confirmed. Councilman Schiffner inquired if there were concerns with the height of the sign. Mr. Brady confirmed that Planning Commissioner Polk was concerned with the height. Mayor Brinley inquired how tall the sign would be. Mr. Brady indicated that it was 82' tall or about 64' above the ramp height. Councilman Schiffner expressed concern for what the sign will look like. Mr. Brady presented a diagram and noted the sign color may be varied slightly. Mayor Brinley indicated that what she saw on the diagram was what she wanted to see; and stressed that she would want to know the actual color. Mayor Brinley inquired if there would be any roof mounted equipment. Mr. Brady indicated there was no request to place roof mounted equipment. City Manager Watenpaugh noted that Councilman Metze's comment would be more important for future discussions when the agreement is considered. Mayor Brinley thanked the Planning Commission for the detailed work and a goodjob. Councilwoman Kelley addressed Item #22 the Vesting Tentative Map for Cottonwood Hills and inquired whether the planned open space was a park or just landscaping. Community Development Director Brady e~lained that it is landscaped slope areas which would be maintained by the Homeowners Association. Councilwoman Kelley noted her concern that for 254 units there appeared to be only a tot lot. City Manager Watenpaugh indicated that the ne~ tract will include a neighborhood park. Councilwoman Kelley e~ressed concern far the ultimate number of parks to be included. Community Development Director Brady clarified that this tract does not have a park area, but the other tracts will have parks. Councilwoman Kelley inquired when construction would begin on this tract. Mr. Brady indicated that it would probably begin in early 2001. City Manager Watenpaugh noted that they were already grading the site heavily. Councilman Schiffner inquired if this tract would have the first houses. Mr. Brady indicated that there were maps which had already been filed, including the 99 lots, which have final approvals. Councilman Schiffner questioned the conditions and noted the previously approved list. Mayor Brinley indicated that the project PAGE THREE - STUDY SESSION MINUTES - AUGUST 22, 2000 had been worked over pretty well by the Planning Commission and inquired if there were any issues they specifically wanted the Council to address. Councilwoman Kelley indicated that she likes the traffic zone and signal. Mr. Brady clarified the placement of the stop sign until it is replaced by a traffic signal when the 100`" unit is occupied. Councilman Schiffner questioned Condition #74. Mr. Brady clarified that the stop sign would be in place until the 100~' unit is occupied, but the other signal would go in with the elementary school opening. Mayor Brinley inquired how many cul-de-sacs were included in this map. Mr. Brady indicated that there were eight cul-de-sacs. Mayor Brinley questioned the reason for the cul-de-sacs. Mr. Brady indicated that they were included due to the topography of the site and marketing issues. Councilman Schiffner questioned the total number of units in this project. Mr. Brady indicated that the specific plan included 4,275 units, however it will ultimately be less than that, since each tract is coming through with a few less lots than anticipated. Mayor Brinley inquired if there was any estate lots proposed. Mr. Brady indicated that there were no estate lots proposed, but suggested that the ultimate buildout will be more like 3,500 units. Councilman Schiffner inquired at what point a fire station would be required. City Manager Watenpaugh indicated that there was a stipulation that they would have to pay for service as required by the Fire Department. Mr. Brady indicated that something was required with the second phase of the development. Councilman Schiffner inquired if the count was 2,000 residential units for a fire station. City Manager Watenpaugh indicated that staff would be working with Pardee to address the requirements; and noted that Fire Chief Seabert was trying to coordinate a meeting regarding a shared station between Lake Elsinore and Canyon Lake. Mayor Brinley questioned the Development Agreement fees for the Fire Department. City Manager VElatenpaugh confirmed that they would be required to pay Development Agreement fees, they could be requested to provide additional fees as needed, since it is already part of the Development Agreement. Councilwoman Kelley addressed Item #23 regarding the Sign Code and suggested that it was confusing. Mayor Brinley concurred that she had some real issues with the proposed Ordinance. Councilwoman Kelley inquired who would track the regulations. Mayor Brinley suggested that the 30 day limitations were acceptable; and noted her understanding for the advertising, but stressed the need for regulations. She noted that some banners have been in place for over a year. Community Development Director Brady indicated that permits had been previously pulled for the banners, but are generally out of date. Mayor Brinley inquired how many permits were out of date. City Manager Watenpaugh clarified that staff s intent was to propose a temporary program, which would be more merchant friendly. He stressed that this ordinance was to temporarily address balloons with a full revision of the sign code to follow. Mayor Brinley indicated that she would like a joint meeting with the Planning Commission, in about mid-0ctober to discuss thebanner PAGE FOUR - STUDY SESSION MINUTES - AUGUST 22, 2000 issue. She noted that she had just been approached by the Casino to see if the matter was being addressed. City Manager Watenpaugh reiterated that this was proposed as a temporaxy measure, since the revision of the entire Ordinance would take more time. Mayor Brinley reiterated that she would like to sit down with the Plantling Commission to address signage and the overall Ordinance. Councilman Schiffner suggested the need for a well advertised study session which will obtain substantial input from the business community. Mayor Brinley suggested announcing the Study Session at tonight's meeting with notices on Channel Three and letters to the business community to get the word out that attendance and input are encouragecl. Councilwoman Kelley noted the need to address the matter in the interim, but questioned staffs ability to keep up with the enforcement. City Manager Watenpaugh indicated that it would be a matter of priorities and they are shifted frequently. Councilman Schiffner inquired if a fine was associated with this ordinance. City Manager Watenpaugh confirmed, noting that it was an administrative fine. Mayor Brinley noted that in her discussions with Code Enforcement, what is really needed is clear language, as the current code is ambiguous. She suggested a more thorough ordinance would make enforcement easier and quicker. Councilman Schiffner questioned if every type of administrative citation would carry the same penalty. City Attorney Leibold advised that some are statutory with regard to due process, however other violations are up to the City, as they are not mandated by the State. She indicated that she was working with staff to look at administrative citation issues at this time. Mayor Brinley suggested that variable citations don't work, as it had been tried previously; and stressed the need for uniformity. City Attorney Leibold indicated that staff had been wanting to address this for quite some time, but suggested that the first step should be the sign Ordinance. Mayor Brinley stressed that the regulations being considered would be temporary until the Study Session with the Planning Commission; and encouraged staff to development something with "bite". Councilman Schiffner noted that everyone should come forward and speak on this matter, so the finished product is fair and just for everyone. Mayor Brinley concurred. Councilman Schiffner stressed the importance of listening to everyone to ensure that their objections are heard. Councilwoman Kelley suggested that it might be necessary to tighten up on enforcement; and noted additional concerns with regard the window coverage limitations, commenting on e~cisting violations. Mayor Brinley concurred and noted that the situation had gotten out of control. City Attorney Leibold noted that the Police Department feels strongly with regard to window coverage; and indicated that it was typical for a City ordinance to regulate the size of a window sign.' Councilman Schiffner inquired if the fines would support e~ra Code Enforcement work. City Manager Watenpaugh indicated that it would not cover the necessary added enforcement, but noted efforts to clean up problem vehicles, trash, etc.; and noted that it was not possible to cover it all. 1Vlayar Brinley noted the need to address the historic downtown overlay district specifically. Community Development Director Brady indicated that there were different sign regulations in the specific plans and overlays which would be addressed separately. Mayor Brinley indicated that it was important to advise the overlay district occupants that the matter will be discussed and PAGE FIVE - STUDY SESSION 1VIINUTES - AUGUST 22, 2000 may impact them. City Attorney Leibold indicated that there was a provision in the Ordinance that deferred to other regulations or codes; and indicated that this was more of a general, City-wide issue. She also noted that with regard to banners, pennants, etc, there is a specific time period for each use; and clarified the minimum period. Community Development Director Brady noted that the verbiage in Item E should be changed from Steel to Metal. City Attorney Leibold indicated that there were three spots where the verbiage should be changed. Councilman Schiffner indicated that if there is adequate publicity on the Study Session, it should put everyone on warning that there will be a general sweep to get everyone in compliance. City Manager Watenpaugh indicated that staff had been meeting on the street sweeping issues and noted that modifications would be brought back at a later date. He eaplained the potential for hiring Gity staff rather than Community Service Officers to address those issues. Mayor Brinley concurred with Councilman Schiffner that additional Code Enforcement people might be important for a thorough sweep; and suggested that everything be addressed at once. She reiterated that some signs ha~e been in place for two years. City Manager .Watenpaugh indicated that the Ordinance revisions will make the enforcement aspect easier. Community Development Director Brady indicated that signs tend to be an emotional issue and staff works with the Chamber to continually educate the community. Mayar Brinley stressed the number of tattered balloons and banners; and noted the need for consistent enforcement. Councilman Schiffner indicated that the press would need to let everyone know that the City is serious, and when the ordinance is done, it will be rigidly enforced. Mayor Brinley commented on the importance of being positive with business people, but stressed the need for consistent enforcement. Councilman Schiffner noted that the City is a 1% partner with each business, due to the sales tax they generate. Mayor Brinley requested that City Manager Watenpaugh provide the staff report on Item #31 regarding the Blast from the Past; followed by her providing background information. She detailed the plans thus far, and the sponsorships obtained to date. She noted the success of past events and requested City Council support, through allowance for use of the Community Center. City Manager Watenpaugh advised that the proposed action was consistent with what had been done in the past for other non-profit uses; and explained the fees that would still be required of the group. Councilman Schiffner indicated that he likes the Cops for Kids charity and would be happy to see this and HOPE as the City's two primary charities in the City. Mayor Brinley indicated that there was interest in providing this activity as an annual event to support Cops for Kids in the holiday season. Councilman Schiffner noted that other charities might not see this as fair, but indicated he felt it was a good cause to be involved in. Councilman Schiffner noted that the RDA items are generally the same as the City Council items. PAGE SIX - S'd'TJDY SESSION MINLTTES - AUGUST 22, 2000 Mayor Brinley noted that both Boards would require Closed Sessions. City Attorney Leibold noted the noticing of a Special Meeting for additional Closed Session items regarding the Mission Trail right-of-way; and advised that it was noticed for the conclusion of the regular meeting. Mayar Brinlty thanked staff for their participation in this meeting. Tom Buckley inquired how many miles of slurry seal would be included under Item #4 of the agenda. City Manager Watenpaugh indicated that he would provide that information to Mr. Buckley. ADJOURNMENT The City Council Study Session was adjourned at 4:55 p.m. A ~ V1CKI KASAD, CMC, CITY CLERK CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE