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2017-02-17 Special CC Minutes Special Meeting Alameda City Council February 17, 2017 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING FRIDAY- -FEBRUARY 17, 2017- -10:00 A.M. Mayor Spencer convened the meeting at 10:04 a.m. Roll Call – Present: Councilmembers Ezzy Ashcraft, Matarrese, Oddie, Vella and Mayor Spencer – 5. Absent: None. Public Comment (17-091) Kurt Peterson, Alameda, thanked the City for conducting the workshop, which is overdue; stated the City is developing at a fast pace, especially the West End; expressed concern over building without infrastructure to get on and off the Island. In response to Vice Mayor Vella’s inquiry regarding the number of speaker slips, Mayor Spencer stated that are 13 slips. Vice Mayor Vella moved approval of limiting the speaking time to 40 minutes, with the rest speaking later. Councilmember Matarrese stated there is not a later time for public comment. Vice Mayor Vella stated Council could hear speakers later; Council is not taking action today. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft inquired where the time would be taken from; stated the meeting needs to end at 4:00 p.m. Mayor Spencer stated that she did not review the agenda or see it until it went live; she wants to hear from the public first; she did a referral to hold a priority setting workshop; the first two hours of the meeting on strengths and opportunities did not include any information for the public and does not have any explanation on the agenda; she thinks it is appropriate to hear from the public. Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated the priority setting workshop has been discussion since the new City Manager was hired; she requested the workshop in her first meeting with the City Manager; she does not want to take time away from strengths and opportunities. Mayor Spencer stated three Councilmembers want to proceed. In response to Councilmember Oddie’s inquiry regarding proceeding, Councilmember Ezzy Ashcraft stated there is a motion to limit the total time. Special Meeting Alameda City Council February 17, 2017 The City Clerk inquired whether Council wants to limit the speaker time to two minutes. Councilmember Oddie inquired whether Council wants to limit the time to one minutes. Mayor Spencer stated that she wants to keep the three minutes. Councilmember Matarrese seconded the motion. Under discussion, Councilmember Matarrese stated the meeting objective is to prioritize the Council referrals. Vice Mayor Vella stated the motion is to limit the time to 40 minutes and hear additional comments later. On the call for the question the motion, carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Ezzy Ashcraft, Matarrese, Oddie and Vella – 4. Noes: Mayor Spencer – 1. (17-092) Pamela Jordon, Alameda Renters Coalition (ARC), stated Ordinance 3148 was passed one year ago; ARC suggests changes be made to the ordinance to: end no cause evictions, limit annual rent increase or use the Consumer Price Index (CPI), eliminate the Rent Review Advisory Committee and have City Council hearings; provide legal services to tenants, and include market rate relocation fees. (17-093) Nan Rideout, Senior Living Initiative, submitted information on a senior housing initiative; stated continuum of care retirement communities are needed in Alameda. (17-094) Angela Hockabout, ARC, Alameda Home Team and Renewed Hope, stated the State is facing a housing shortage; working families are living in cars and recreational vehicles; urged the City to exceed the regional housing requirement and build taller, denser housing at every price point. (17-095) Paul Foreman, Alameda, expressed concern over the agenda; stated although the agenda complies with the Sunshine Ordinance, the criteria for special meetings should be addressed by Open Government Commission; expressed support for referrals 20, 26 and 31, regarding inclusionary housing and mixed uses; discussed regional housing requirements. (17-096) Gary Thompson, Cantamar Home Owners Association (HOA), urged Council to prioritize the light pollution issue close to the top. (17-097) Dee Keltner, Alameda, expressed support for addressing the referral regarding protection of private and public trees. (17-098) Christopher Buckley, Alameda, urged Council to address referral 39 regarding Special Meeting Alameda City Council February 17, 2017 the tree ordinance; expressed concern over tree removals; outlined an email he sent to Council with suggestions for the ordinance. (17-099) Scott Dawson, Alameda, urged Council to move forward with a plan to update the tree ordinance, especially protection of trees on private property; urged milestones be established. (17-100) Anna Rossi, Alameda Deanery Refugee Support Group, expressed support for addressing referrals 26 regarding inclusionary housing, 30 on aiding the homeless, and 32 on minimum wage; urged action be taken within 60 days. (17-101) Sylvia Gibson, Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA), encouraged the Council to consider how decisions will affect future generations; provided suggestions for prioritizing sustainability, including protection of wetlands, local marine jobs and renewable energy. (17-102) Pat Lamborn, Alameda, expressed support for the referral process; suggested referrals be grouped at special meetings and heard earlier at regular meetings. (17-103) Janet Gibson, Alameda, read a letter submitted by the Alameda Citizens Task Force Steering Committee urging the Council to revise the workshop agenda. Strategic Workshop (17-104) Introduction of Workshop by Mayor and City Manager; Strengths and Opportunities: Characteristics of Effective Governing Bodies; Vision and Strategic Initiatives: Priorities – What’s Most Important?, Concluding Discussion, Review of Day The City Manager and Mayor Spencer made brief comments regarding the workshop. Mayor Spencer moved approval of addressing strengths and opportunities after the vision and strategic initiatives. The motion FAILED for a lack of second. Bill Chiat, Alta Mesa Group, facilitated the meeting taking the attached notes; addressed means versus ends and strengths. *** Mayor Spencer left the meeting at 10:57 a.m. and returned at 11:02 a.m. *** Mr. Chiat provided a handout and reviewed opportunities and the vision for 2020. *** Mayor Spencer left the meeting at 11:42 a.m. and returned at 11:44 a.m. Special Meeting Alameda City Council February 17, 2017 *** *** The meeting was recessed at 12:21 p.m. and reconvened at 1:14 p.m. *** Mr. Chiat reviewed a handout and addressed what has worked well in the past. The City Manager gave a Power Point presentation outlining current departmental responsibilities. Mr. Chiat continued the workshop outlining criteria for evaluation and key city strategies. The Council ranked the referrals. Invited everyone to visit his house to see the lighting he has been complaining about: Jim Hager, Cantamar HOA. Complimented the Council on coming together; expressed concern over constituents leaving the meeting due to public comment being limited and the agenda: Janet Gibson, Alameda The Council discussed the priorities returning to Council at a regular Council meeting for action, the workshop and the future process for prioritizing referrals. Adjournment There being no further business, Mayor Spencer adjourned the meeting at 3:48 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lara Weisiger City Clerk The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Sunshine Ordinance. 2/17/17 WORKSHOP FACILITATOR NOTES STRENGTHS * Our people: energy, proactive, positive * Compassion – love this community * Engaged – small enough for meaningful conversations *Accessible – people want to be involved * Quality of life: safe welcoming community, low crime rate, not afraid to be different * Appreciate historic elements * Location – Island/shoreline * Business districts – people want to spend time there * Schools * Good infrastructure * Makes us desirable place to live * Great Council * Safe: strong public safety * Deliver high quality services – high quality staff * Volunteer work of community 2/17/17 WORKSHOP FACILITATOR NOTES OPPORTUNITIES * Limits to resources: $ * Sea level rise * Fiscal sustainability * Public transportation * Capacity: transportation, resources, quality of life * Natural disasters * General economy and impacts on City * Impacts of election * Jobs and wage equality * Outstanding work * Housing/homelessness * Alameda Point – 33% * Long-term liabilities – unfunded pension liabilities, payroll * Pedestrian/bike safety * Responsibilities grow without resources or with cuts to resources 2/17/17 WORKSHOP FACILITATOR NOTES 2020: 3 YEAR VISION * Maintain City: engaged; physical aspects – infrastructure * Airbnb: made it work * Social progress: cultivate it * Alameda Point development: Site A – infrastructure, homes, jobs, recreation * Find partners, efficiencies, other options for services * Meet housing and employment needs and maintain quality * More use of public transit and other access * 14 referrals addressed 2/17/17 WORKSHOP FACILITATOR NOTES WHAT WORKED WELL * No wasted words * Didn’t rehash * No one answer – try to figure out best fit; eliminate options without support * Modified ideas as a Council * Able to listen to each other * Was a sense of urgency Positions versus interests [Do not focus on positions, focus on interests] 2/17/17 WORKSHOP FACILITATOR NOTES CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION * Low hanging fruit * Workload of staff * Urgency * Can they be grouped – bundled * Dependencies on other City projects * Fit in 2020 Values * How does it fit within out legal requirements, strategies Process used for ranking referrals: ↑ Urgent 2 3 1 4 Important → 2/17/17 WORKSHOP FACILITATOR NOTES KEY CITY STRATEGIES * Housing/homelessness * Transport * Fiscal solvent * Quality of life/environment * Business development/economic development 2/17/17 WORKSHOP FACILITATOR NOTES RANKING OF REFERRALS Key (from Criteria for Evaluation): 1 = Not urgent, not important 2 = Urgent, not important 3 = Urgent and important 4 = Not urgent, important Referral 1 2 3 4 1 Airbnb xxxx x 2 Plan Board Process xx x x x 3 Affordable Housing Ordinance xxxx x 4 Bayport – Alameda Landing xx x xx 5 Homeless xxxx x 6 Commercial Dev – MX x xxxx 7 Minimum Wage xxx xx 8a FAAS x x x xx 8b Cannabis xx x xx 9 Outdoor Lighting xx x xx 10 Assisted Living xxx xx 11 Tree Ordinance xx x xx 12 Immigrant/Refugee xxxxx Top 4 Priorities: 3, 5, 6, 12 Next Highest Priority: 7 Middle Priorities (further ranked below): 2, 4, 8a, 8b, 9, 11 Lowest 2 Priorities: 1, 10 FURTHER RANKING OF MIDDLE PRIORITY REFERRALS Referral 1 2 3 4 2 Plan Board Process xx xxx 4 Bayport – Alameda Landing xxx x x 8a FAAS xx x xx 8b Cannabis x x xxx 9 Outdoor Lighting xx x xx 11 Tree Ordinance* xx x xx Top 2 Priorities: 2, 8b Middle 2 Priorities: 8a, 9, 11 Lowest 2 Priority: 4 *Note: This item was revised after the workshop to correct a vote that had been recorded incorrectly.