WEED CITY COUNCIL

                                                 REGULAR MEETING

                                                    MAY 11, 2000

 

The City Council of the City of Weed held a regular meeting on Thursday, May 11, 2000, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. 

Mayor Neva Barnett called the meeting to order and led recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.  Present, in addition to Mayor Barnett, were Council Members Amelia “Mel” Borcalli, Joel Obuchon, and Vince Tallerico.  Also present were City Administrator Earl Wilson, City Attorney Allen King, Police Chief Martin Nicholas, Fire Chief Darin Quigley, Public Works Director Craig Sharp, and City Clerk Deborah Salvestrin. 

RECOGNITIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS

A.  “A Legacy of Quality:  National Nursing Home Week (beginning Mother’s Day), May 14 - 20, 2000

Mayor Barnett encouraged the community’s citizens to honor and serve the individuals who laid the foundations of Weed by participating in this year’s Nursing Home Week observance at SunBridge Care & Rehabilitation for Weed, 445 Park Street, Weed, California. 

PUBLIC BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR

Mayor Barnett invited comments from the audience on specific agenda items or any item of interest that is within the Council’s jurisdiction noting that no action could be taken by the Council except to set the matter presented for the next regular Council meeting.  There were none. 

REGULAR AGENDA

            City Administrator Wilson asked the Council to consider amending the order of the agenda to accommodate the representative from PACE Civil, Inc.  Council Member Borcalli moved to amend the order of the agenda to take item D first, and Council Member Tallerico seconded the motion. 

AYES:              Council Members Barnett, Borcalli, Obuchon, and Tallerico

NOES:              None

ABSENT:         None

D.  Review Proposed County Service Area No. 5 (Carrick Addition) Alternative Water Supply Projects

            City Administrator Wilson reported that the staff has been discussing the possibility of a joint venture for improving water service for the new County Service Area formed by Carrick Addition residents.  Mr. Wilson noted the matter was placed on the agenda to give the Council information necessary to make a determination as to which way to proceed. 

            Tom Warnock, Senior Engineer, with PACE Civil, Inc., came before the Council to discuss two options for the Carrick Addition’s water service.  Mr. Warnock explained that a grant/loan program is available through Rural Development as a result of Option 9 Timber Initiative monies.  Mr. Warnock added that June 1 would be the deadline for application for funding. 

            Mr. Warnock displayed diagrams of the proposed alternatives, with the Carrick Alternative being a new well, storage tank, and associated piping, with the County to operate and maintain the system.  Mr. Warnock stated the Weed Alternative is the joint project wherein the City will have water main constructed between Carrick Addition and Angel Valley and the City staff would be able to maintain the new system. 

            Mr. Warnock briefly described the advantages and disadvantages of both construction and the ongoing operation and maintenance for the project alternatives that were detailed in full in his letter dated May 4, 2000. 

Council Members questioned the status of the existing Carrick system, and Pam Blanton, administrator, responded that the system is failing in its distribution and storage facilities.  Council also asked about the application processing, and Mr. Warnock responded that Jim Cook of Great Northern Corporation would be doing a lot of the paperwork. 

Fire Chief Quigley stated there is definitely a problem with fire flows in the Angel Valley area at the current time, and noted that the Weed Alternative will also benefit Carrick as far as fire flows are concerned because the area would have more water to draw from. 

Public Works Director Sharp stated that the improvements would be a benefit but added that his Department is understaffed and the additional operation and maintenance duties could stretch existing manpower. 

Mr. Warnock then discussed funding options for the City’s contribution to the grant/loan project. 

City Administrator Wilson added that the City’s water system is in need of grant money, and when two agencies jointly work on a project, it is looked upon more favorably by State funding agencies. 

Council agreed that the Weed Alternative is an opportunity to long-term benefits to the City, and then Mayor Barnett asked if Carrick Addition residents would like to speak to the matter. 

Marie Donaldson thanked Jim Cook of Great Northern Corporation, and Tom Warnock of PACE Civil, Inc., for all the work they’ve done to explain the project. 

Carole Baker stated she is pleased with the positive response the Council has, and thinks the Weed Alternative would be a win-win situation for the City. 

Pam Blanton, administrator of the Carrick water system, stated the system is not in a contamination situation at this time, but they are constantly repairing leaks, and every time, there is potential for contamination due to the proximity of septic systems. 

Rick Gonzales questioned the possibility of using the existing springs, and Mr. Warnock responded that the spring is fully adjudicated.  Mr. Gonzales stated that the 54 connections in Carrick should not foot the bill for the improvement to Angel Valley.  Mr. Gonzales also complained that notification of the status of the project is not getting out to the majority of the Carrick residents. 

There being no further discussion, Council Member Borcalli moved, seconded by Council Member Tallerico, that staff is directed to further investigate the Weed Alternative.

AYES:              Council Members Barnett, Borcalli, Obuchon, and Tallerico

NOES:              None

ABSENT:         None

            City Administrator Wilson again requested a re-ordering of the agenda.  Mayor Barnett moved to consider Item C next, and Council Member Borcalli seconded the motion. 

AYES:              Council Members Barnett, Borcalli, Obuchon, and Tallerico

NOES:              None

ABSENT:         None

C.   Industrial Wastewater Discharge Permit:  Council will consider application of International Paper at the Roseburg Forest Products’ former Morgan Door Facility

            City Administrator Wilson reported receipt of request for connection to the City’s sewer system for the discharge of water that was discovered during the demolition process at the Morgan Products facility. 

            Tarmo Pajutee, Senior Project Manager, for URS Corporation came before the Council to describe the proposal to discharge contaminated ground water found under International Paper Company’s Morgan Products building into the City’s wastewater treatment system.  Mr. Pajutee noted that discussion of the source, its pre-treatment system, and discharge is described in his letter dated May 4. 

            Council questioned operation and maintenance of pumps and filters, and cost to the City.  Mr. Pajutee stated that the client will do the testing, and the operation, and maintenance, and there is not expected to be any impact to the City other than the additional inflow for which the client will pay a connection fee.  

            Council Member Tallerico moved, seconded by Council Member Borcalli, approval for the discharge of industrial wastewater, and that the City Attorney is directed to prepare an agreement in accordance with City policy. 

AYES:              Council Members Barnett, Borcalli, Obuchon, and Tallerico

NOES:              None

ABSENT:         None

A.  Zoning Ordinance amendment to permit off-site advertising signs:  Council will consider report and recommendation from Sign Committee

            City Administrator Wilson gave a report on the status of the Committee’s attempts to make recommendations for an ordinance amendment to allow off-site advertising signs, and noted that two additional meetings have been scheduled at which time the Committee will take a field trip to look at the various sites where signs can potentially be placed, and then the Committee will meet again to prepare the information to go into the text the City Attorney will write for Council consideration. 

            Council Member Borcalli expressed frustration that the Committee is meeting but nothing is accomplished. 

            Mayor Barnett stated that this is a very serious and important issue for the City, and all Committee members are not in agreement with the direction the ordinance should be going. 

            Jeanette Tallerico, Hammond Ranch Subdivision resident, came before the Council to say she saw the billboards in Yreka and wondered why the Weed businesses are advertised there, and why they cannot be advertised in Weed. 

            Steve Anderson, Mt. Shasta resident and Weed business owner, said he has been to several Sign Committee meetings and doesn’t think there will ever be a consensus.  Mr. Anderson suggested the City Attorney be directed to work on an ordinance. 

            John Oliver, Weed resident and business owner, said he attended the last Sign Committee meeting, and found that CalTrans limits on sign face height is 25 feet.  Mr. Oliver suggested the Committee consider a wider sign in order to advertise in a greater area. 

            Marti Spiegel, Mt. Shasta resident, also expressed frustration that the Sign Committee meetings appear to be going nowhere. 

            Mary Mazzei, Weed resident, stated she wants to make sure the truck stop gets its sign. 

            Council Member Obuchon asked what the Sign Committee is recommending. 

            City Attorney King reviewed the issues that the Committee is considering regarding theories of placement heights and distances versus the reality of actual.  Mr. King stated that the Committee has to contend with something that may sound good on paper but does not work in the field.  Mr. King also discussed the liability issues of existing residential property owners who may have their property damaged or value diminished by an improperly placed sign, and noted that the Committee and the Council have to consider those issues as well. 

B.  Ordinance No. 350-2000 -- City Council Meetings:  Proposed second reading and adoption of an Ordinance of The City of Weed Amending Section 2.04.010, Entitled Regular Meetings, of The Weed Municipal Code To Change Council Meeting Times (from 7:00 p.m. on the second Thursday to 9:00 a.m. on the second Thursday, and from 7:00 p.m. on the fourth Thursday to 6:00 p.m. on the fourth Thursday)

            City Administrator Wilson reported that this ordinance was introduced earlier this year and then put on hold at the request of the Court Administrator in order to solve scheduling conflicts that could arise with the change in meeting times.  Mr. Wilson stated that those issues have been resolved, and if adopted, the ordinance would become effective in 30 days. 

Council Member Tallerico moved, seconded by Council Member Obuchon, that the reading in full of the body of Ordinance No. 350-2000 be waived, said ordinance being read and adopted by title only.

AYES:              Council Members Barnett, Borcalli, Obuchon, and Tallerico

NOES:              None

ABSENT:         None

Council Member Tallerico read the title of Ordinance No. 350-2000 and moved adoption, seconded by Council Member Borcalli, said ordinance being in the words and figures following:

ORDINANCE NO 350-2000

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WEED

AMENDING SECTION 2.04.010, ENTITLED REGULAR MEETINGS,

OF THE WEED MUNICIPAL CODE

TO CHANGE COUNCIL MEETING TIMES

THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEED DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1.  Section 2.04.010 of the Weed Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

            2.04.010  Regular meetings.  The city council shall hold regular meetings on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month.  The meeting on the second Thursday of the month shall commence at 9:00 a.m., and the meeting on the fourth Thursday shall commence at the hour of 6:00 p.m., provided however, that in the months of November and December, the regular meeting shall be held only on the second Thursday of said months.  Such meetings may be adjourned from time to time.  Meetings shall be at the city hall, unless notice of a different location for same shall be stated in the agenda for the meeting, in which case the scheduling of regular meetings may be changed by resolution of the city council. 

Section 2.  This ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days after its passage.

Section 3.  This ordinance shall be printed in the Weed Press within fifteen (15) days after its passage.

            Upon roll call, the vote was:

AYES:              Council Members Barnett, Borcalli, Obuchon, and Tallerico

NOES:              None

ABSENT:         None

CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor Barnett stated that all items listed under the consent agenda are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion, and there will be no separate discussion of the items unless members of the audience or Council request specific items be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion prior to the time the Council votes. 

Mayor Barnett asked if there are items to be removed from the consent agenda.  There were none. 

Council Member Tallerico moved, seconded by Council Member Obuchon, to approve the Consent Agenda as published including approval of minutes of March 23, April 13, April 24, 2000; approval of Claims #26617 – 26628, #26630 – 26667, #26743 – 26756, #26758 – 26787, and #26792 – 26821 in the amount of $240,082.67; Financial Status Report for Month Ending April, 2000; Approval of Vista Drive Construction Project Change Order #5 and authority for the City Administrator to execute the document on behalf of the City

AYES:              Council Members Barnett, Borcalli, Obuchon, and Tallerico

NOES:              None

ABSENT:         None

ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

            Council Member Borcalli declared a financial conflict of interest and stepped from the dais.  Council Member moved, seconded by Council Member

Claim # 26629 to D & R Hardware in the amount of $ 560.38 dated March 10, 2000, and Claim #26757 to D & R Hardware in the amount of $433.13 dated April 10, 2000

AYES:              Council Members Barnett, Obuchon, and Tallerico

NOES:              None

ABSENT:         Council Member Borcalli

            Council Member Borcalli returned to the dais.

STAFF REPORTS

            Public Works Director Sharp reported the City’s water systems will have an annual inspection soon, and that his Department is spending many man -hours in chip seal preparation work. 

            City Attorney King reported he would be out of the City at the time of the next meeting, and that Attorney Jim Pierce will attend the meeting in his place. 

ADJOURNMENT

            Council Member Tallerico moved adjournment, motion seconded by Council Member Obuchon.

AYES:              Council Members Barnett, Borcalli, Obuchon, and Tallerico

NOES:              None

ABSENT:         None

MEETING ADJOURNED SINE DIE AT  8:50 P.M.