15-0112_CC_Minutes_Special Meeting MINUTES
January 12, 2015
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CITY COUNCIL
AND CITY MANAGER RETREAT
SPECIAL MEETING
Mayor Reeve called the Special Meeting Retreat of the City Council and the City
Manager of the City of San Juan Capistrano to order at 9:15 a.m. at Marie Callender's
Restaurant.
ROLL CALL
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Sam Allevato, Roy L. Byrnes, M.D., Kerry K.
Ferguson, Mayor pro tem Pam Patterson, Esq. and Mayor Derek Reeve.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
Agenda items are presented in the originally agendized format for the benefit of the
minutes' reader, but were not necessarily heard in that order.
Karen P. Brust, City Manager, facilitated the retreat. Mayor Reeve and Karen P. Brust,
City Manager, provided opening comments.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC COMMENTS:
• Tom Scott, City resident, expressed the need and importance for all City residents'
voices to be heard.
• Steve Behmerwohld, City resident, felt there was lack of public input in the
development of the Historic Town Center Master Plan; felt the Urban Village project
is needed in the downtown; had originally opposed the project as a Commissioner
for Parks, Recreation and Senior Services Commission; felt some Urban Village
referendum proponents mislead the community; expressed concerns with exposing
the City to a potential lawsuit; and, expressed concerns with selling the Eastern
Open Space property.
• Doug Smith, City resident, questioned the status of the Distrito La Novia project;
and, felt the Distrito La Novia project site is highly visible and proposed a tax
increase to purchase the property.
• Laura Freese, Heritage Tourism Association, expressed the need to preserve the
character of the downtown; felt parking is the solution to traffic and the need for an
additional parking structure; suggested downtown developers fund additional
parking; and, suggested renaming the segment of Ortega Highway between Del
Obispo and Camino Capistrano.
• Tina Auclair, City resident, expressed concerns for the Urban Village Referendum
Petition; and, expressed displeasure with a divided City Council.
• Mark Bodenhamer, Chamber of Commerce, thanked the City Council for conducting
the retreat at a local business; felt that although economic development has been a
City Council priority, local businesses continue to struggle; and, expressed that local
U economy is an investment and important for the City to insure financial health.
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• Steve Oedekerk, City resident, felt that more City residents want to spend time in the
downtown; felt the downtown needs more entertainment; and, felt that one project in
the downtown is not the solution, but a series of events. �^
• Anna Dickinson, City resident, expressed the need to make the town vibrant.
• Joshua Host, City resident, requested to remove unnecessary barriers for business
development within the City; felt property rights should not be dictated by a few; and,
felt that Urban Village project approval had no legislative action based on the State
of California Constitution stated the Urban Village Referendum is invalid.
• Ann Rohan, City resident, expressed admiration for the City; and, felt it is difficult to
encourage people to visit the City as there are limited hotel options.
• Monique Rae, City resident, expressed opposition to the proposed location for the
skate park; and, felt the skate park should be located at the Sports Park.
• Gretchen Stroscher, City resident, suggested communicating with Stroscher LLC
regarding the parcel located near the Ortega Highway/1-5 Interchange project.
• Troy Bourne, City resident, questioned if a General Plan Amendment would be
completed for the Armstrong Nursery site.
• Vickie Allevato, City resident, requested the City Council to show positive leadership
and serve all members of the community; and, expressed concerns with current City
Council constituents continuing to serve and threaten litigation against the City.
• H. Warren Siegel, City resident, felt selling the Eastern Open Space property would
change the atmosphere of the City.
• John Campbell, City resident, expressed concern with division amongst Council
Members.
• Rob Williams, City resident, provided information on the former Design Review
Committee and the importance in reinstating the committee.
• Bob Cardoza, City resident, provided information on the former Design Review
Committee and the relationship between the Planning Commission and the Design
Review Committee; and, expressed concern with the esthetics of the landscaping
plan submitted by CALTRANS for the Ortega Highway/1-5 Interchange Project.
CITY COUNCIL AND CITY MANAGER RETREAT:
1. FISCAL YEARS 2014-2015 AND 2015-2016 URGENT STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
MODIFIED.
Karen P. Brust, City Manager, provided a presentation and update on Fiscal Years
2014-2015 and 2015-2016 Urgent Strategic Priorities as established at the City
Council and City Manager retreat of June 11, 2014. Keith Van Der Maaten,
provided a handout and presentation regarding the City's water supply. The
following City staff members responded to questions: Hans Van Ligten, City
Attorney; Cindy Russell, Chief Financial Officer; Charlie View, Development
Services Director; Keith Van Der Maaten, Public Works and Utilities Director;
George Alvarez, City Engineer; and, Tom Bokosky, Human Resources Manager.
Modified City Council Priorities for Fiscal Years 2014-2015 and 2015-2016
1. Economic Development & Business Friendly Environment
a. Review Ordinances for Streamlining
b. Overuse of Business Activity (Photography in Los Rios District)
c. Becoming a Destination Community
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2. Open Space
a. Equestrian Community
• North-South Connection on Ortega
• Connect East and West Sides of town
• Celebrate Native American Heritage
b. Northwest Open Space
• Animal Adoption Center
• Passive Natural Park
3. Strong Financial Foundation
a. Proactive Opportunities with Pension Obligations
b. Ground Water Recovery Plant
• Mayoral Subcommittee
• Consolidation Interests
• Reliability Analysis
• Meeting with Basin Authority
• Reclamation Plant vs. Ground Water Recovery Plant or any other
options
4. Historic Town Center Master Plan
a. Ortega/Camino Capistrano Beautification
b. Curatorship of Blas Aguilar Adobe
c. Parking Structure— Pilot Program
d. Hotel
e. Preservation of Egan House
f. Town Plaza
g. Parking Incentives
h. Shopping Corridor
i. General Plan Amendment for Residential in Core
j. Bring Businesses to town and extend Downtown Area
5. Transportation
a. Evaluation of Street System
b. Resurfacing Roads (potholes)
c. Ortega Highway Chokepoint
d. 1-5/Ortega Highway Gateway & CALTRANS
• Landscaping Plan
• Jack in the Box Property
e. La Pata Gateway and Camino Capistrano/Las Ramblas Gateway
f. Trolley Service
• Optimize outlying parking areas
• Special Events Use
Connect City's Amenities
g. Congestion Relief Projects
h. Ghost Train — Cue Cutter
3 1/12/2015
i
6. Public Safety
a. Resource Evaluation —Survey Comparable Cities
b. Additional Deputies r'
City Council Suggested Priorities for Discussion:
Mayor Reeve:
1. Alternatives for the water and sewer operations and the Ground Water
Recover Plant.
2. Traffic and the "ghost train."
3. Open space properties: Design; use of funds; and, potential selling of
property.
Mayor pro tem Patterson:
1. Traffic.
2. Strong financial foundation.
3. Reinstating the Design Review Committee and establish high architectural
standards.
Council Member Allevato:
1. Ortega Highway/1-5 Interchange Project landscaping and monument.
2. Ortega Highway Widening Project.
3. Additional parking structure in the downtown.
Council Member Byrnes:
1. Water supply and evaluation of the Ground Water Recover Plant.
2. Historic Town Center Master Plan Projects: Ortega Highway and Camino
Capistrano beautification.
3. Financial Foundation: Pension plans. I
Council Member Ferguson: I
1. Public Safety.
2. Road conditions and trails.
3. Egan House.
City Council and City Manager Comments:
• Mayor Reeve — felt water is an important issue; suggested a Request For
Proposals or City Council outreach to other agencies to consolidate the City's
water and sewer operations to another agency; suggested a reevaluation of the
Ground Water Recovery Plant and other water reliability alternatives; expressed
interest in working with other agencies on reclamation of water; requested staff
provide City Council Members the 2008 study regarding the water and sewer
operations; expressed the need to resolve issues with the "ghost train" and cue
cutter; felt there are alternatives for resolving the "ghost train" and cue cutter
issue such as moving the train station further north; agreed paving roadways is
important; preference to reconsider the Northwest Open Space (NWOS) Park
Plan; preference for park funding to be allocated for improvements to parks
closer to the center of town; suggested to explore an animal adoption center for
NWOS area; preference for the NWOS park to be a passive and natural park;
suggested utilizing an area dedicated to Native American history; suggested to
streamline business related ordinances; suggested allocating monies for
additional Police Officers at the mid-term budget; supported exploring i I
alternatives for providing public safety to the community; felt the issue with the
Spieker Project was density and the impact on the community; requested
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agendizing reinstatement of the Design Review Committee for further
discussion; suggested exploring the possibility of selling the Eastern Open
f Space property especially if a proposal is received by an outside interest to
u purchase the property from the City; felt available funds should be utilized for
repairing streets instead of beautification of Camino Capistrano/Ortega Highway
sections in the downtown; and, felt staff should be able to work with downtown
developers to fund additional parking.
• Mayor pro tem Patterson — expressed the importance of effective and efficient
use of City funds; felt a thorough independent audit is needed; felt the City's
traffic issues have an impact on economic development; felt it is important to
maintain City streets; suggested a street maintenance schedule; expressed a
preference in attracting superior retail; expressed the importance of high
architectural standards; felt the City lacks high standards for architecture; felt
lack of superior design standards would not attract superior businesses;
preference to reinstate the Design Review Committee; requested staff to provide
an analysis on average water use by household/lots; supported adding public
safety as a priority; and, expressed interest in exploring the possibility of selling
the Eastern Open Space property.
• Council Member Allevato — expressed the importance of following the Long-
Term Strategic Business Plan as it is a roadmap for the budget; expressed the
difference between projects versus goals; felt that Urgent Strategic Priorities are
goals and that projects must fit within the Long-Term Strategic Business Plan;
felt the reevaluation of the Ground Water Recovery Plant is a project; felt the
current four (4) priorities are appropriate; preference in reviewing the
landscaping plan for the Ortega Highway/1-5 Interchange Project; preference for
a monument sign after the completion of the Ortega Highway/1-5 Interchange
Project; requested more information regarding the remaining parcel of the
former Jack In the Box location; preference for a Welcome sign at the La Novia
and Valle Road roundabout; preference to widen the Ortega Highway segment
and to submit a letter to CALTRANS proving political will to support the widening
project; expressed support for the Spieker Project; expressed that in the past
other farming families have been able to rezone their property; felt-the Long-
Term Strategic Business Plan addresses transportation and public safety needs;
expressed the City has a traffic congestion and relief plan; expressed concerns
with selling the Eastern Open Space property; felt the intent of purchasing the
Eastern Open Space was a promise to residents to preserve the property as
open space; felt other water agencies would appreciate having their own ground
water recovery plant; supported the 2008 consolidation of the water and sewer
operation and would reconsider again; stated that the Orange County
Transportation Authority is developing a tri-city trolley service; felt the Verdugo
Street beautification project should be completed but has been delayed due to
other construction projects; felt the City's crime rate has decreased; and,
expressed concern with the expense of additional deputies.
• Council Member Byrnes — supported the suggestion to rename the segment of
Ortega Highway between Del Obispo and Camino Capistrano; suggested a
reevaluation of the Ground Water Recovery Plant and alternatives; expressed
interest in the unfunded liability on pensions and medical care for retired
employees; felt the Blas Aguilar Adobe needs a management plan; expressed
concerns with supply water to new developments; felt discussion of selling the
5 1/12/2015
Eastern Open Space property was not appropriate at this time; and, felt it is
important to improve the relationship between the City and the San Juan Basin
Authority.
• Council Member Ferguson — surprised public safety has not been a priority
before; felt with Lieutenant Meyer's retirement it is an opportunity to reevaluate
public safety and best uses of resources; felt first responsibility to the residents
is public safety; felt there are many rough streets and potholes throughout the
City; felt having decent streets are important for the community; felt the City has
a wonderful trail system, but a couple areas need connections; felt water is a
priority; felt there is a need for a cheap and reliable water source; felt it is a
priority to get a hotel in the City; felt the Historic Town Center Master Plan's
intent is to extend the downtown; preference for retail with lofts above along
Forster Street next to the Historic Town Center Park; felt the Egan House should
not be overshadowed by new development; expressed concern of the livability
for Los Rios residents; felt there is an overuse of professional photography in
the Los Rios District; preference to extend the downtown area over Del Obispo;
preference for a town plaza in the downtown area; suggested working with
Goevia to incorporate a town plaza as part of their plan; preference for a trolley
service; felt a trolley service could provide additional parking for events; and,
offered volunteering to work with business and property owners.
• Karen P. Brust, City Manager— expressed the need to find the balance between
Urgent Strategic Goals and projects; felt the need to develop an economic plan;
suggested establishing an esthetics committee to work with CALTRANS on the
landscaping plan for the Ortega Highway/1-5 Interchange Project; proposed
agendizing discussion regarding the trolley service and purchase of the
remaining parcel of the former Jack In the Box property; and, felt an updated
traffic relief analysis is needed.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business Mayor Reeve adjourned the meeting at 4:09 p.m.
Respectfully suWit fe,
0 L�-W
CH'RjS JA EP TY CITY CLERK
Approved: June 16, 2015
ATTEST:
DEREK REEVE, MAYOR
6 1/12/2015
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
CITY COUNCIL
The City, f San Juan Capistrano, California, hereby gives notice that a Special Meeting
( ncil and City Manager Retreat) of the City of San Juan Capistrano City Council
will IDI
d on Monday, Janua 12, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. at Marie Callender's Restaurant,
317 Obispo Street, Juan Capistrano, California.
o
ar o i City Cler
Date: Janu ry 8, 2015
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) SS
CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO )
I hereby certify that a copy of the Notice of a Special Meeting (City Council and City
L_ Manager Retreat) of the City of San Juan Capistrano City Council will be held on
Monday, January 12, 2015 at 9:00 a.m., was mailed, emailed and/or sent via fax
transmittal, or personally delivered not less than twenty-four hours before the meeting.
Derek Reeve, Mayor
Pam Patterson, Esq., Mayor pro tem
Sam Allevato, Council Member
Roy L. Byrnes, M.D., Council Member
Kerry Ferguson, Council Member
The Register
Capistrano Valley News
Capistrano pispatch
Sn unPtch
Los A g le Times
I decla nd p alty f p "ury the foregoing is true and correct.
Maria Ci Clerk
City of San Juan Capistrano
Date: January 8, 2015