Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to subdivision (b) (3) (C) of Section 54956.9: Two potential cases.

Name of case: City of Santa Rosa v. Raman D. Patel, individually and as trustee of the Raman D. and Jashu R. Patel Family Trust, Raman D. and Jashu R. Patel Residual Trust and Raman D. and Jashu R. Patel Survivor’s Trust, Jas 4 Ray Properties, L.P., Rita Patel, David Stafford, Prita Patel and DOES 3-20 (Sonoma County Superior Court Case No. SCV-237667)

Property:  Right-of-way under Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART) property at Todd Road railroad crossing near Milepost 50.2 (between Moorland Ave. and Standish Ave.)
Agency Negotiator:  Josh Maresca, City Right-of-Way Agent
Negotiating Parties:  SMART
Under Negotiation:  Price and terms of payment

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS: Except for public hearing items, comments from the public will be allowed on all agenda items at the time each item is called. Comments on public hearing items may be made when the hearing is opened.

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS: Comments from the public on non-agenda items will be heard under Agenda Item 12.

This time is reserved for City staff to brief the Council on departmental issues of interest. No action will be taken on these matters except to possibly place a particular item on a future agenda for Council consideration.

Staff will make a brief presentation to the Council on the City's hiring and separations for 2006 and some of the impacts of the turnover on City operations.

Public Works is pleased to introduce Julia Gonzalez as the Public Works Marketing and Outreach Coordinator. Julia will be focusing on developing and implementing marking and outreach programs for the Street Smarts, storm water and creek stewardship campaigns in addition to providing professional support to the capital improvement program.

 

 

BACKGROUND: The Board of Public Utilities has recommended that the decision set forth in Council Resolution 26729 regarding which alternatives to evaluate in the Incremental Recycled Water Program Master Plan Discharge Compliance Project Environmental Impact Report be revised by removing Indirect Discharge.

RECOMMENDATION: The Board of Public Utilities recommends that the Council, by resolution, revise the alternatives identified in Council Resolution 26729 to exclude Indirect Discharge.

BACKGROUND: A strong and vital Downtown is of critical importance to Santa Rosa, as evidenced by policies in the 2030 Vision, General Plan, Economic Development Strategy, Council Downtown Strategic Goal, Draft Station Area Strategic Plan, Arts District Vision, and the Redevelopment Plans and Five-Year Implementation Plans of the Santa Rosa Center, Grace Brothers, and Transit-Oriented Project Areas. Interest in Downtown is on the rise, along with expectations for additional public sector services and resources. It is proposed that the Agency and the City create a Downtown Program to be implemented by an interdepartmental team that will work collaboratively and proactively to deliver programs and services to enhance the vitality of the Downtown, in tandem with private sector partners.

RECOMMENDATION: The Department of Economic Development and Housing recommends that the Council approve, by resolution, the creation of the Downtown Program and authorize appropriations to the Downtown Program - Promotions and Events Project No.4883, in the amount of $52,833 and        Downtown Program - Physical Improvements and Design Project No.4884, in the amount of $55,860 with the source of funds being the reserves of the             Redevelopment Agency's 2005 Reimbursement Agreement Fund No. 0878.

BACKGROUND: The 1996 Cable Communications Franchise renewal established funding to create and operate a "media access center." Constructed at Santa Rosa High School, the Community Media Center allows the public, community schools and local government to use the cable system for the delivery of local programming provided by, for and about Santa Rosa. Along with the 1998 cable system rebuild, a separate "Institutional Network" (I-Net) was constructed to serve the expanding communications needs of the City and its institutions. To manage the public, education and government access (PEG Access) and I-Net, the Council created a single-purpose non-profit organization, the Community Media Access Center, Inc., and contracted with it for services.

The initial agreements with the Community Media Center were developed to provide PEG Access (Attachment A in the staff report) and I-Net services (Attachment B in the staff report). The agreements are for five years and are renewable for two additional five-year terms concurrent with the City's fifteen-year Cable Communications Franchise. The first five years of operation were completed and Council authorized the first five-year extension in March, 2001. The agreements can now be extended for the second five-year term.

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Administrative Services Department that the Council, by resolution, extend the agreement with the Community Media Center for operation of the access center and extend the agreement with the Community Media Center to manage and operate the I-Net.

 During the past year, staff has been working with the City Council and the community on developing the Santa Rosa 2030 Vision. The 2030 Vision document includes five long term visioning initiatives: Creating a Vital Downtown; Thriving Diverse, Healthy, and Safe Neighborhoods; Open Space and Recreational Activities; Creating Additional Transportation Alternatives; and More Inclusive Community.

At their goal setting session on January 26 and 27, 2007, the Council reviewed the long term visioning initiatives and developed two year goals that will support the initiatives, and move them forward. In addition to the long term visioning initiatives, the Council also established five additional goal areas for the next two years. Those are: Deliver a Safe and Efficient Transportation System; Develop Regional Gang Prevention and Intervention; Maintain a Leadership Role in the Region for Environmental Initiatives; Promote a Healthy and Growing Economic Base; and Provide Resources for Seniors and Youth.

The City Council also developed a list of Organizational priorities that were assigned to staff for continued follow-up and emphasis. The next step in the process will be to refine the goal statements and incorporate them into the 2007-08 Budget. In addition, staff will review departmental efforts and workplans for each of the areas. These will be presented to Council for review as part of the budget deliberation process.  

During the City Council goal setting session, Vision, Mission and Values’ statements were also reviewed. 

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the City Manager's Office that the City Council, by motion, approve 1) the two year Council goals and 2) Vision, Mission, and Values’ statements and direct staff to develop work plans and refine staff work efforts for Council review as part of the budget deliberation process. 

BACKGROUND: The 2001 California Building Code amendment updates requirements regarding light frame construction, combination loads, and structural design. By adopting the updated standards, buildings constructed in Santa Rosa will take advantage of recent gains in engineering technology.

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Department of Community Development that the Council introduce an ordinance adopting the amendment to the 2001 Building Code as amended by the State of California along with additional local administrative changes to the Santa Rosa City Code.

BACKGROUND: On November 10, 2005, the Planning Commission voted 6-0 to recommend that the Council prezone a 1.28-acre parcel located at 3819 Montecito Avenue to the RR-40-SR District.

RECOMMENDATION: The Planning Commission and Department of Community Development recommend the Council introduce an ordinance prezoning the identified parcel to the RR-40-SR District.

BACKGROUND: On December 14, 2006, the Planning Commission voted 4-0 to recommend that the Council rezone 6.5 acres located at 1650, 1770, 1776, and 1800 Meda Avenue from the planned development district to the R-1-6 District.

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Planning Commission and the Department of Community Development that the Council introduce an ordinance rezoning 1650, 1770, 1776, and 1800 Meda Avenue to the R-1-6 district.

BACKGROUND: Christopherson Homes, Inc. has requested that the City issue tax-exempt multifamily housing revenue bonds in an anticipated principal amount up to $5,000,000 to assist in the financing of the acquisition, construction and development of Alderbrook Heights Apartments located at 2220 - 2260 Brookwood Avenue and Dauenhauer Ranch Apartments to be located on Aston Avenue (APN 038-300-066). The Council is required to hold a Tax Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act public hearing prior to considering approval of the bond issue. The requested bonds would be structured so there will be no financial liability to the City.

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended by the Department of Economic Development and Housing that, following the public hearing the Council, by resolution, authorize the issuance of tax-exempt multifamily housing revenue bonds not to exceed $5,000,000, to assist in the financing of the acquisition, construction and development of Alderbrook Heights Apartments and Dauenhauer Ranch Apartments.