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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-04-1993MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA FEBRUARY 4, 1993 CALLED TO ORDER ATTENDANCE NEW COUNCIL ORIENTATION MASTER PLAN ISSUES CONFERENCE ROOM SANTA ANA LIBRARY 26 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA 6:23 P.M. COUNCILMEMBERS Present: MIGUEL A. PULIDO, Mayor Pro Tem (7:08 p.m.) TOM LUTZ LISA MILLS TED R MORENO (6:43 p.m.) Absent: DAN YOUNG, Mayor RICK NORTON ROBERT L. RICHARDSON Present: DAVID REAM, City Manager JANICE C. GUY, Clerk of the Council Absent: EDWARD J. COOPER, City Attorney (Excused) Although a quorum was not present when the meeting was called to order, the Councilmembers in attendance elected to proceed with the discussion of specific issues raised by various Councilmembers during the Master Plan presentation. A quorum was reached at 7:08 p.m. when Mayor Pro Tem Pulido arrived. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 55 FEBRUARY 4, 1993 Median Maintenance (Moreno) Public Works Agency staff members Executive Director Jim Ross, Engineering Services Manager George Alvarez, and Administrative Services Manager Terri Cable provided the Council with detailed information regarding median maintenance costs, as well as a list of proposed median projects. Following a discussion of median -related items such as maintenance costs, preferences regarding areas for median installation, landscaping materials, and replacement of temporary diverters, the Council endorsed the following: - all major arterials should have medians; - partially finished median projects should be completed before undertaking additional projects; and - following the completion of scheduled median projects on Westminster Avenue, Bristol Street, and Grand Avenue, median construction priorities are 17th, Flower, and Main Streets. The City Manager noted that staff shared the Council's viewpoint regarding installation of medians on major arterials, but that businesses invariably raised concerns regarding any curtailment of access. Arterial Landscaping Strategy (Young) Planning and Building Agency Executive Director Robyn Uptegraff reported that a landscaping strategy for arterials would be included in the Urban Design Element currently being prepared by staff and scheduled for completion in approximately 12 months. Utility Undergrounding (Richardson) George Alvarez explained that the City had been aggressive in undergrounding utilities, and was using funds available from Southern California Edison Company at an accelerated rate. He indicated the 5-year Master Plan for Undergrounding Utilities which calls for undergrounding all major arterials is updated annually and would be provided to the Council in March. Alvarez noted that current regulations do not provide for undergrounding utilities in local streets which essentially prohibits undergrounding in residential neighborhoods. Neighborhood Traffic Protection (Richardson) George Alvarez explained the major factors contributing to traffic intrusion into neighborhoods were new development, the Interstate 5 freeway widening project, overflow CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 56 FEBRUARY 4, 1"3 parking, and displaced arterial traffic. He indicated the City's grid system encouraged traffic intrusion as compared to newer cities' designs of residential areas with limited access points. Jim Ross reported that the process for developing traffic protection plans which required 66% or more of the residents to be in consensus before the City implemented mitigation measures was working. The consensus of the Council was to support and encourage further refinement of the process by the Environmental and Transportation Advisory Committee. Councilmember Mills requested buffering neighborhoods from arterial development projects be emphasized in the future. Fixed Guideway System (Council) Due to the complexity of the proposed guideway project, the Council agreed to defer discussion of the issue to a single -item study session in the future. Theme Street Lighting (Young) Terri Cable reported street lights were hung on concrete poles south of 1st Street and on two types of theme lighting poles north of 1st Street. She indicated the City was attempting albeit at increased cost to preserve the theme lighting north of 1st Street, and retrofitting mercury incandescent light poles with high pressure sodium lamps to reduce energy costs. The City Manager noted street lighting required major capital investments, briefed the Council on staff's proposal to create a citywide lighting and landscaping district which was rejected by the Council in 1990, and pointed out the need to identify a funding source to improve street lighting. Santa Ana River Recreation Area (Pulido) Water Resources Manager Lee Harry explained the difficulties of managing a water channel intended to provide both flood control and recreational needs. Councilmember Mills reported a lack of amenities along the Santa Ana River Trail through Santa Ana as compared to other cities along the Trail. The City Manager explained the Santa Ana River would be addressed as an open space amenity in the Master Plan, which was informally endorsed by the Council along with additional improvements along Santiago Creek described by Parks/ Landscape Design Manager Ron Ono. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 57 FEBRUARY 4, 1993 New City Facilities (Young) The City Manager provided an overview of the new Police Administration and City Jail facility, and briefly touched on the following methods of paying for the $80 million facility: assessment district, federal funds, a bond issue, redevelopment funds, or a combination of all those sources. He indicated more discussion would take place on the project and a "Central Park" project vis-a-vis a new Parks Administration building at Centennial Park following the Council budget sessions. Orientation Schedule The Manager informed the Council the February 9 Council session would include presentations by the Personnel, and Management and Finance Services agencies. ADJOURNMENT - 8:23 P.M. - To 5:30 p.m. February 9, 1993 in the Conference Room, Santa Ana Library, 26 Civic Center Plaza anice C. Guy ��Z7 Clerk of the Council CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 58 FEBRUARY 4, 1993