08-0108_CC_Minutes_Special Meeting' MINUTES
JANUARY 8, 2008
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
Mayor Soto called the Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of San Juan
Capistrano to order at 11:00 a.m. in the City Council Chamber. Mayor pro tem Nielsen
led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Sam Allevato, Tom Hribar, Dr. Londres Uso,
Mayor pro tem Mark Nielsen, and Mayor Joe Soto
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Dave Adams, City Manager; Cynthia L. Russell, Assistant City
Manager; Nasser Abbaszadeh, Engineering & Building Director; Steve Apple, Planning
Director; Karen Crocker, Community Services Director; Cathy Salcedo, Executive
Assistant; Laura Stokes, Intern; Maria Morris, Deputy City Clerk; Bill Huber, Consultant;
and Eileen White, Recording Secretary
' ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Lennie DeCaro, City resident, spoke in opposition to the proposed Ortega Widening
project; asserted the project has not been approved by the Orange County Fire
Authority (OCFA); and requested Council Members publicly state their position on the
issue.
David Solt, City resident, requested the Congressman's assistance to help the City
meet its affordable housing requirements. Congressman Calvert offered his help to
secure grant monies for affordable senior housing.
William Griffith, City resident, spoke on economic development issues; downtown
rehabilitation; and immigrant population impacts. Congressman Calvert indicated that
the immigration impact issue is affected both the State and Country; referenced a
program in effect in Arizona requiring verification of social security numbers before
employment; and summarized the many impacts associated with high immigration
populations.
Richard Gartner, Capistrano Beach resident and Water District Director, related issues
concerning water conservation and adequate water supplies; and requested the
Congressman's help to procure funds to help build reclaimed water facilities and ocean
water desalination plants. Congressman Calvert discussed the complex agreements
' concerning California water supplies; potential future cutbacks and impacts related to
the continuing drought; and stated that it would be a good use of federal and other
S? 1 1-8-2008
available funds to help communities utilize local ground water so they are less —
dependent on imported water.
Jed Pearson, City resident, recognized the Congressman's efforts on defense and
space program; and inquired into the toll road amendment. Congressman Calvert noted
his support for the 241 toll road completion to relieve traffic on 1-5, Ortega Highway, and
Pacific Coast Highway; and support for legislation that would allow construction of the
241 toll road extension to move forward.
COUNCILMANIC
MEETING HELD WITH CONGRESSMAN KEN CALVERT REGARDING 2008
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES (660.40)
Staff Presentations:
Nasser Abbaszadeh, Engineering & Building Director, reviewed the City's federal
fund requests to complete construction of the City's multi -use trail system in
accordance with the provisions of the City's General Plan at a cost of
$1,000,000; and improvements to Sun Ranch Creek for flood control, improved
aesthetics, and water quality enhancement at a cost of $1,600,000.
Steve Apple, Planning Director, summarized the federal fund requests for lead
paint abatement, structural rehabilitation, and disabled access improvements for
several of the City's historic ranch and farm houses at a cost of $300,000; and
structural stabilization, new roofs, and site improvements to enhance public
access for the City's historical adobes at a cost of $500,000 for a total Historic
Preservation Federal fund request of $800,000.
Cindy Russell, Assistant City Manager, recapped the City's federal fund requests
for a 25% federal participation of $4,175,000 in the $16,700,000 Advanced
Water Treatment Facility to supply the City with recycled water and reduce
imported water demands; a 25% federal participation of $14,375,000 in the
$57,500,000 San Juan Capistrano Water Distribution System Project to
construct transmission mains and recycled water reservoirs as the next phase of
improvements to the recycled water system; and requested Congressman
Calvert continue to support and advance HR 1140 through the Senate and
Presidential Title XVI approval process. In addition, the City is requesting a 50%
federal participation of $2,500,000 to help fund the City's $5,000,000 portion of
an 800 acre-foot emergency storage reservoir to serve several South Orange
County cities; $500,000 to increase security at the City's water facilities; and
$600,000 federal participation in the development of a Drainage and Creek
Master Plan, estimated to cost $800,000, which will provide the means to better
manage and improve the City's system of creeks and storm drains.
1-8-2008 5)?
' Council Comment:
On behalf of City staff, residents, and Council Members, Mayor Soto thanked
Congressman Calvert for his presence at today's meeting; and his past and
continued efforts to support the City, especially his successful efforts to relocate
the proposed postal facility. He thanked Congressman Calvert and his staff for
being accessible to City staff and residents; and thanked the residents who
spoke for providing input.
Council Member Allevato expressed support for the 241 toll road completion and
requested Congressman Calvert continue his support of the toll road, which will
allow inland residents an alternate coastal access and provide for increased
mobility of goods, resident mobility, national security, and public safety.
Council Member Hribar thanked Congressman Calvert for his comments
regarding illegal immigrants; and advocated a program that would allow the
issuance of yellow cards to indicate a conditional right to stay, leading to green
card status, and eventual citizenship. This will create a process whereby the
government would have some control over the number of immigrants, allow them
to integrate into society and pay taxes, and reduce the fear that many live with.
Council Member Uso thanked Congressman Calvert for his past and future
efforts to help the City become less dependent on outside sources for its water
needs.
Mayor pro tem Nielsen thanked Congressman Calvert for his past involvement in
City issues and requested help in acquiring more open space for preservation in
its natural state; funds for family and/or worker affordable housing; and help to
determine transportation options and ways to reduce the number of cars on
regional roads. He also supported assistance from the federal government to
support green building and the use of alternative energy; and the assistance for
more H 1 B visas to allow the continued import of skilled workers to meet critical
needs.
Congressman Calvert's Comments:
Congressman Calvert felt that the 241 toll road extension will eventually be built
despite interference from special interest groups and outside interests; noted his
intent to work with the new president to secure the border before moving on to
programs to address the impacts caused by existing illegal immigrants and their
dependents; and agreed with the need to expand the water supply and use water
more efficiently. He noted there are federal funds for land conservation,
especially as it impacts endangered species; agreed to work with the City to
' come up with creative solutions to the affordable housing demand; endorsed the
need for alternative energy sources to meet the increasing base load need for
South Orange County; and agreed that Bill H1B visas should be kept separate
5? 3 1-8-2008
from immigration issues as there is need for skilled workers in specific areas,
and jobs available in those categories. In addition, he encouraged the school
system to educate and steer young people toward careers that are in demand.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Soto adjourned the meeting at 11:50 a.m. to
Tue y, Jnuary 15, 2008, at 5:30 a.m. for Closed Session, and 6:30 p.m. for the
P lic sjless Session, in the City Council Chamber.
submitted,
CITY
Approved: February 5, 2008
4 1-8-2008 S�
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
CITY COUNCIL
The City of San Juan Capistrano, California, hereby gives notice that a Special Meeting
of the Cit Yy�� of// S n Juan Capistrano City Council will be held on Tuesday, January 8,
2008 at 11:OOc m., in the City Council Chamber, 32400 Paseo Adelanto, San Juan
Capistran6, C, ifornia.
MargaretonahanI Cit Clerk
L
Date: January 3, 2008 -
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) SS
CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO )
' I hereby certify that a copy of the Notice of Special Meeting of the San Juan Capistrano
City Council, to be held on Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. was mailed and/or
sent via fax transmittal, or personally delivered not less than twenty-four hours before
the meeting.
Joe Soto, Mayor
Mark Nielsen, Mayor pro tem
Sam Allevato, Council Member
Tom Hribar, Council Member
Dr. Londres Uso, Council Member
The Register
Capistrano Valley News
Capistrano Dispatch
Capistrano Independent News
Los Ange+es Imes
I I
I decfal,�un�der penalty of peryfiry that the foregoing is true and correct.
„-\
f ilrl 1� l
, ,
City of an Juan Ca i;
City o
Date: January 3, 2008