Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
February 13, 2024
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MEETING MINUTES OF CITY OF BELMONT CITY COUNCIL AND BELMONT FIRE PROTECTION
DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
City Council Chambers, City Hall, One Twin Pines Lane, Belmont, California TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2024
CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 PM
ROLL CALL
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Pang-Maganaris, McCune, Hurt, Latimerlo, Mates COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None
ITEMS OF BUSINESS:
CLOSED SESSION
Public Employee Performance Evaluation
Government Code Section 54957(b), Titles: City Manager, City Attorney ADJOURNMENT at this time being 7:10 p.m. to regular meeting.
CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 PM
ROLL CALL
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Pang-Maganaris, McCune, Hurt, Latimerlo, Mates COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Leb by Mayor Mates.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Rennie that there is no reportable action from the previously held closed session.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
None
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
No member of the public came forward to speak.
COUNCILMEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Pang-Maganaris commented on OmniBill AB1909 and invited the Belmont business community to join the upcoming business license forums.
Mayor Mates thanked the community for a successful Lunar Year celebration and The Belmont Parks and Recreation hosted their first Superstar Dance for children with disabilities and their Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
February 13, 2024
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guardians, followed by their traditional Sweetheart Dance. She added information on San Mateo County Grand Jury and the Sheriffs Advisory Committee recruitment.
CONSENT BUSINESS
Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Calendar
Resolution 2024-07 authorizing the City Manager to execute a service agreement for audit and related services with Maze & Associates through fiscal year 2027-28 Annual Investment Policy
Monthly Financial Reports - December 2023
Resolution 2024-08 authorizing the City Manager to execute a Task Order with Schaaf and Wheeler Consulting Civil Engineers for an amount not to exceed $130,320 for design, bid, and construction support services for the San Juan Blvd Sewer Capacity Improvement Project 2024 State Legislative Platform and Advocacy for the City Ordinance 2024-1176 ordinance to amend regulations in the Belmont City Code to allow and regulate commercial cannabis businesses and reorganize massage business regulations Finance Director Castaneda addressed Council questions, stating that due to the combination of the December property tax, and that the general fund transfers to support other funds occurs at the end of the fiscal year result in the increase in the December General Fund balance.
City Attorney Rennie read the ordinance title into the record.
No public comment on the Consent Business.
ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember Hurt and seconded by Councilmember McCune the Consent Business items we unanimously approved by a roll call vote (5-0).
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Animal Control Regulations Amendment
Police Captain Armando stated that the existing ordinance was specific to Belmont the intention to Adopt the County Ordinance by reference is to achieve enhanced enforceability, streamline the process throughout the County, provide clarity and definition and to ensure public safety.
Mayor Mates opened the public hearing no member of the public came forward.
Mayor Mates closed the public hearing.
City Attorney read the title of the ordinance into the record.
ACTION: On a motion made by Vice Mayor Latimerlo and seconded by Councilmember PangMaganaris Ordinance 2024-1177 adopting by reference the animal control regulations in San Mateo County Ordinance Code Chapter 6.04 and replacing similar regulations in Belmont City Code Chapter 5, Article 1 was unanimously approved by a roll call vote (5-0).
Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
February 13, 2024
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Hillside Road Improvement Plan & Single-Family Design Review; 2800 Block of Monte Cresta Drive
Senior Planner Gill provided an overview of the project stating the project consist of construction of 3,299 square-foot two-story residence with an attached garage with a driveway extending from the terminus of Monte Cresta Drive; and construction of a road segment extending Monte Cresta Drive with a fire truck turn-around/cul-de-sac at the western terminus of Monte Cresta Drive. He explained that the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on November 21, 202 and voted in favor to adopt a resolution recommending the City Council approve the project entitlements and exceptions. He noted that the Commission’s recommendation also required that the project geotechnical engineer provide an updated letter to the project Geotechnical Investigation report addressing the 2018 Seismic Hazards Map Act (SHMA) requirements. He explained that the geotechnical information addressing the 2018 SHMA was submitted for the project and was peer reviewed by the City’s geotechnical consultant in a letter dated January 26, 2024. He further explained details pertaining to the project to date, including public comments received.
Mr. Gill continued with an overview of the required roadway improvement plan for the project and outlined the site plan. He explained the floor are transfer and development potential and outlined the single-family design review and grading and tree removal permit requirements. He noted that the project is eligible for categorical exemption under CEQA guidelines for new construction or conversion of small structures and in-fill development projects. He concluded his presentation and deferred to Council for consideration of the Planning Commission recommendation and adopt a resolution approving the entitlements or direct staff to provide additional information.
Council deliberated on the presentation.
Fire Captain Marshall responded to Council inquiry and stated that the project does not raise any fire concerns, he noted that it improves fire safety in the area with the addition of a fire hydrant, addition of no parking lanes and the requirement that the project is built to a Standard 7A which requires the building to be hardened to fire safety standards.
In response to Council inquiry Senior Planner Gil and Community Development Director de Melo explained that the San Juan Plan Area Plan provides for long range guidance that studied road and development feasibility, including hillside residential and open space district zoning allowing for orderly development of the area manifested though development standards.
RECESS: 8:40 P.M.
RECONVENE: 8:45 P.M.
Council Deliberation ensued.
Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
February 13, 2024
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Tom Porter, City Geotechnical Consultant stated that constraints related to the project include existing fill, the slopping nature of the property and drainage control. He explained that the recommendation to require all improvements be supported by reinforced concrete piers and designed to resist lateral loads from upper surface soils providing adequate support for all required improvements. He further explained that there is no chance of the road or development of the property to cause in increase in instability on the hill.
Community Development Director de Melo clarified Council question stating that privacy and private views are not protected as part of a single-family design review application. He further explained that a floor area exception process in the R1 Districts when more floor area than that allowed is requested privacy and private views come into the factor.
Angela Schmiede, Applicant provided an owner’s perspective of the project.
Mayor Mates opened the public hearing, the following individuals came forward to speak:
Mary Morrissey Parden, Max Reinhardt, Ken Wash, Casey Kruger, Kim Moore, Gail Mintz, Justine Eller, Jeff Marshall, Tim Robertson, Pierre St. Claire, Louis Moren, Linnea Kinsely, Mark Herbach, Count of 2941 Monte Cresta, Nadhu Nallu
Mayor Mates closed the public hearing.
City Clerk Plut noted that written correspondence was received on the item and will be made part of the record.
Council deliberation ensued.
In response to Council inquiries Issac Conhoski Project Engineer BKF commented on the conditions of approval related to drainage and erosion related to the project and safety related to the surrounding area.
Senior Planner Gill and City Engineer confirmed the peer review process of the geotechnical report and evaluation, he stated confidence that no conflict or stability issues were found in the report for the project.
Discussion ensued regarding public outreach over the 8-year approvals process.
ACTION: Motion to extend the meeting for 30 minutes to 11:00 p.m. made by Councilmember Hurt and seconded by Vice Mayor Latimerlo was unanimously approved by a roll call vote (5-0).
Council continued deliberation and concurred the project findings can be made.
Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
February 13, 2024
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ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember Latimerlo and seconded by Councilmember McCune Resolution 2024-09 approving a Hillside Road Improvement Plan, Single-Family Design Review, Floor Area Transfer, Conditional Use Permit, Grading Permit, Tree Removal Permit, and City Code Exceptions was unanimously approved by roll call vote (5-0).
GENERAL BUSINESS
Annual Mobility Update
Associate Engineer Wada presented the annual mobility update, she explained that the Three E’s-Engineering, Education and Enforcement are strategies used when interfacing with the public.
She provided a brief background on the current actions of the Parking and Traffic Safety Committee (PTSC), street infrastructure maintenance projects.
Fire Captain Marshall provided updates on collaboration with the PTSC and outreach efforts including wildland fire prevention efforts.
Police Chief Stenquist reported on safety enforcement including traffic hotspots, directed traffic enforcement which is based on community complaints and parking hotline regularly used for abandoned vehicles. He reported on police statistics from 2023 and noted that more traffic spots and citations were issued from previous years.
ACTION: Motion to extend the meeting for 30 minutes to 11:00 p.m. made by Councilmember Hurt and seconded by Councilmember Pang-Maganaris was unanimously approved by a roll call vote (5-0).
Public Comment provided by Mary Morrisey-Parden on bike safety.
Giuliano Carlin commented on multimodal improvements in the city.
In response to Council inquiry Public Works Director Brown noted that the City is working on a Transportation Master Plan that will include an analysis of all modes of transportation, including bicycle.
City Manager Oskoui explained that the City has a reporting portal on the website for reporting issues related to bike safety in the City, a tool used by Police hotspot and enforcement. He noted that the City provides alternative bike routes for cyclist safety.
Chief Stenquist noted that as an outreach tool a bike safety day is planned for April 20, 2024.
This agenda item was informational only, no Council action was required on this item.
BRIEF VERBAL REPORTS FROM MEMBERS AND STAFF
Verbal report from Councilmembers on Intergovernmental (IGR) and Subcommittee Assignments
Councilmembers reported on their assignments.
Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
February 13, 2024
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Verbal report from City Manager
City Manager Oskoui thanked Staff for a efforts on winter storms and Parks and Recreation for their continued efforts on providing inclusive programs.
MATTERS OF INTEREST/CLARIFICATION
ADJOURNMENT at this time being 11:20 p.m.
Submitted by,
Jozi Plut, City Clerk