80-0213_CC_Minutes_Adjourned Regular MeetingFEBRUARY 13, 1980
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA
The Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of
San Juan Capistrano, California, was called to order by Mayor
Friess at 6:40 P.M., in the City Council Chamber for the purpose
of meeting with the Members of the Traffic and Transportation
Commission, followed by a meeting with the Members of the Parks
and Recreation Commission.
ROLL CALL PRESENT: Kenneth E. Friess, Mayor
Gary L. Hausdorfer, Mayor pro tem
(arrived at 6:57 P.M.)
Lawrence F. Buchheim, Councilman
James F. Thorpe, Councilman
ABSENT: Phillip R. Schwartze, Councilman
STAFF PRESENT: James S. Mocalis, City Manager; William D. Murphy,
Director of Public Works; George Alvarez, Traffic Engineer; Tom
Baker, Director of Recreation; Mary Ann Hanover, City Clerk.
JOINT MEETING WITH MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFIC AND
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
(23) Commissioners Allen, Villegas, Fuchs (arrived at 7:03 P.M.)
and Chairman Johnson were present.
Mayor Friess advised that the purpose of the meeting was to
provide an opportunity to discuss City philosophies and positions
relating to traffic and circulation. Mayor Friess also advised
of the February 11th County Planning Commission approval of the
Colinas de Capistrano development which includes the extension
of Junipero Serra Road through the City from County territory;
further, a decision will have to be made on acceptance of
(44) County Arterial Highway Financing Program funds, since the
County can withhold such funds if the City's circulation plans
are not in conformance with the County Master Plan of Highways.
Discussion of Commission Responsibilities and Duties:
Commissioner Allen asked if decisions were to be made only on
facilitating traffic or whether other areas should be considered.
Councilman Thorpe stated he would prefer the Commission to
address the goals of the General Plan in terms of traffic, with
the Commission expanding beyond merely reacting to staff
recommendations and statements by the County. The Director
of Public Works advised that the practice has been that each
commission makes recommendations based on their area of concern
and the Planning Commission and/or City Council would consider
the other items. Mayor Friess stated that there is a need for
personal philosophy and consideration of consequences of
recommended actions. Councilman Thorpe noted there should be
more leeway in decision-making, with the Commission contributing
a counter -balance to the professional staff. Commissioner
Johnson noted that Commission recommendations are forwarded
to the Planning Commission and that Council only receives
Planning Commission recommendations. Mayor Friess suggested
broadening the base of the Commission to provide an opportunity
to interact on a philosophical level, with reports including
dual recommendations.
(69) Staff Reports:
The City Manager advised that one of the proposed Council policy
statements would require staff to set forth changes that come
about in recommendations. Councilman Hausdorfer stated that
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Council had previously requested that the recommendations
from each of the Commissions be set forth on the front page
of Planning reports.
(69) Proposed Policy Statement:
The City Manager advised that Commissions are not restricted
in reviewing areas of concern nor in making recommendations
and suggested the Commission develop a policy for providing
recommendations to the City Council. Councilman Thorpe noted
the Commission should be concerned with priorities, dealing
with human needs, and providing an opportunity for receipt
of public comment.
Mayor Friess requested that the Commission develop a review
policy for consideration as a City Council policy statement.
With Council concurrence, Mayor Friess requested that the
Commission develop a new format for staff reports to reflect
differing points of view, discuss the kinds of information to
be included in the reports, and prepare a review policy.
In response to the Director of Public Works, Mayor Friess
suggested that the Commission should take a position on
County -wide studies for submission to Council whenever possible
in terms of time constraints.
(23) Amendment to Ordinance No. 321:
Council concurred with Councilman Thorpe that Section 8 of
Ordinance No. 321 should be amended to include the responsibility
to "review and make recommendations to the City Council on
public transit within the community."
Council suggested that the Commission review the multimodal
transportation center, pedestrian and bicycle traffic and
street striping, etc., the goal being a multi -transportation
city, as set forth in the General Plan.
RECESS AND RECONVENE
Council recessed at 7:50 P.M., and reconvened at 8:05 P.M.
REQUEST FOR DECLARATION OF LOCAL DISASTER AREA
(89) The Director of Public Works recommended that the City forward
a request to the County of Orange for submittal to the State
of California that a local disaster area be declared due to
recent flood damage to Oso Creek, the SERRA Treatment Plant
and Del Obispo Street.
It was moved by Councilman Hausdorfer, seconded by Councilman
Thorpe that the following Resolution be adopted:
RESOLUTION NO. 80-2-13-1, FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE -
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN
JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, FOR DESIGNATION OF
APPLICANT'S LOCAL AGENT
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Councilman Hausdorfer, Thorpe, Buchheim
and Mayor Friess
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilman Schwartze
JOINT MEETING WITH MEMBERS OF THE PARKS AND
RECREATION COMMISSION
(62) Commissioners Cannon, Hallan, Quintana and Shears (arrived
at 8:50 P.M.) were present; Commissioner Leonard was absent.
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216
Mayor Friess advised that joint meetings with Commissions
may be held on a quarterly basis.
(62) Cook Park Uses:
Commis ones Cannon expressed concern with Cook Park and the
recent request of Mission Trails Corral to relocate to the
property adjacent to the existing Wagon Wheel Stables off
Calle Arroyo and noted preference for multi-purpose recreation
areas with lighted fields for children and adults. Councilman
Hausdorfer concurred with multi-purpose use at the site.
Commissioner Cannon stated that the equestrian segment of
the community is outweighed by City-wide interests and that
Mission Trails should seek another site. Mayor Friess noted
that in the long-term all of the land on the east side of
Ganado Road will be developed for active recreation when
funds are available; for an interim 2 or 3 -year period, it
would be preferable to utilize the land.
In response to Mayor Friess, the Director of Public Works
advised that once the Cook Park Master Plan is adopted a
priority system for improvements will be established. Com-
missioner Cannon asked if the City had a commitment to the
stable owners to find them another site; Mayor Friess responded
that anyone providing a service to the community should be
assisted if possible. The Director of Recreation advised that
Cook Park plans will be distributed to the Commissions in the
next 3 to 6 weeks. Due to the location of the site, Mayor
Friess noted that the only improvements he could support would
be grass and sprinkler installation.
Councilman Thorpe asked if joint use of the Episcopal Church
property had been investigated with the City installing lights,
as a more economic means for providing ball fields; further,
it is a non-residential area where lights would be less
disturbing; an agreement could be entered into for City use on
weekends and for lighted evening softball games. Mr. Thorpe
also suggested use of Buchheim field for soccer.
In response to Councilman Hausdorfer, the Director of Public
Works advised that grass areas in Cook Park could be irrigated
with water from San Juan Creek. Councilman Buchheim noted that
part of Cook Park was to be an open environment; public property
is being used for the benefit of private enterprise.
Mayor Friess noted that the area could be retained as open space
at no cost to the City; the voters would decide funding for
extensive improvements; or, the areas could be graded and
improvements made by residents. Commissioner Shears suggested
formation of a maintenance district with park user fees.
General Discussion:
Councilman Thorpe encouraged the Commission to keep bicycle
trails in mind as a means of transportation. Commissioner
Shears noted that General Plan Amendments are converting
commercial recreation properties to other uses when an ongoing
need exists. There was general discussion of the size and
configuration of shopping centers as they relate to development
of a walk-in theatre. Councilman Thorpe advised that the Public
Facilities Committee would be making a recommendation on use
of the Rotary Club Scout Hut.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was
adjourned at 9:27 P.M., to the next regular meeting date of Wednesday,
February 20, 1980, at 7:00 P.M., in the City Council Chamber.
ATTEST: RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
2 21-" / WY�
KENNETH E. FR ESS, MAYOR MARY ANN',PANOVER, CITY CLERK
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