June 21, 2022 Coronado City Council Minutes Page 121
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
City Council of the City of Coronado
and the
City of Coronado Acting as the Successor Agency to the Community Development Agency of the City of Coronado
Held in the Council Chamber at:
1825 Strand Way
Coronado, California 92118
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
3:00 p.m. Closed Session Special Meeting
4:00 p.m. Regular Meeting
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The Closed Session Special Meeting of the City Council was called to order at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 in the City Council Chamber at City Hall with Mayor Bailey presiding.
A Quorum of members was present to conduct a meeting by the following results.
Present: (4) Councilmember Donovan; Councilmember Heinze Councilmember Sandke; Mayor Bailey
Absent: (1) Councilmember Tanaka
Also Present (3) City Manager/Agency Executive Director Tina Friend City Attorney/Agency Counsel Johanna N. Canlas
City Clerk/Agency Secretary Jennifer Ekblad
2. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION
3. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54957.6
a. Labor Negotiations
Agency Designation Representative: Tina Friend, City Manager Employee Organization(s): Self-Represented and Executive Management Employees; The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Local 127; Coronado Firefighters Association (CFA); and Coronado Police Officers Association (CPOA)
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4. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.8
a. Real Property: SR-75 and SR-82
Property: State Routes 75 and 282
City Negotiator: Tina Friend, City Manager
Negotiating Parties: State of California
Under Negotiation: Terms
5. COMMUNICATIONS - ORAL: None.
6. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION: 3:00 p.m.
Mayor Bailey announced that the Closed Session Special Meeting adjourned at 4:06 p.m. and direction had been provided.
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The Regular Meeting of the City Council was called to order at 4:12 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 in the City Council Chamber at City Hall with Mayor Bailey presiding.
A Quorum of members was present to conduct a meeting by the following results.
Present: (4) Councilmember Donovan; Councilmember Heinze Councilmember Sandke; Mayor Bailey
Absent: (1) Councilmember Tanaka
Also Present (3) City Manager/Agency Executive Director Tina Friend City Attorney/Agency Counsel Johanna N. Canlas
City Clerk/Agency Secretary Jennifer Ekblad
2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Bailey led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. MINUTES
Approval of the minutes of the Regular meeting of June 7, 2022 A motion to approve the minutes was made by Councilmember Sandke and seconded by Councilmember Heinze.
The motion carried by the following results.
Yes: (4) Councilmember Donovan; Councilmember
Heinze; Councilmember Sandke; Mayor
Bailey;
Absent: (1) Councilmember Tanaka
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4. CEREMONIAL PRESENTATIONS: None.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
A motion to approve the Consent Calendar was made by Councilmember Donovan and seconded by Councilmember Sandke.
This motion carried by the following results.
Yes: (4) Councilmember Sandke; Mayor Bailey;
Councilmember Heinze; Councilmember
Donovan
Absent: (1) Councilmember Tanaka
5a. APPROVAL OF READING BY TITLE AND WAIVER OF READING IN FULL
OF ORDINANCES ON THIS AGENDA
Recommendation: Approve the reading by title and waive the reading in full of all Ordinances on the agenda.
This Report was approved under the Consent Calendar.
5b. REVIEW AND APPROVE THAT THE WARRANTS, AS CERTIFIED BY THE
CITY/AGENCY TREASURER, ARE ALL CORRECT, JUST, AND CONFORM TO THE APPROVED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021-22
Recommendation: Approve the Warrants as certified by the City/Agency Treasurer.
This Financial Report was approved under the Consent Calendar.
6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None.
7. CITY MANAGER REPORT:
Tina Friend, City Manager, reported on the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Sorrento South Bay Comprehensive Multi-Modal Corridor Plan.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
9. COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE REPORTS: None.
10. COUNCIL BUSINESS
10a. Council Reports on Inter-Agency Committee and Board Assignments:
None.
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10b. RECEIVE REPORT ON SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER QUALITY TESTING
AND BEACH CLOSURES
Mayor Bailey introduced the item and Tina Friend, City Manager, presented the staff report.
Mayor Bailey provided comments regarding a meeting with the County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality to discuss the ddPCR test, described the differences between this new test and the old test, and discussed what kind of beach closures would have occurred in Coronado if the old test had been used.
Councilmember Heinze asked for clarification on whether San Diego County is the only county in the United States currently using the ddPCR test.
Mayor Bailey replied in the affirmative.
Rebecca King expressed concerns with the City of Coronado’s approach to addressing water quality issues in the region.
Laura Wilkinsen provided comments on the beach closures and water quality testing and the potential impact that on the residents, naval trainees, and the City’s economy.
Mayor Bailey provided comments regarding the City of Coronado and other regional entities’ diplomatic efforts that resulted in Congress appropriating $300 million to address the Tijuana River sewage issue.
Councilmember Heinze thanked Mayor Bailey for his diplomatic efforts in securing the $300 million from Congress to address this issue.
Councilmember Donovan commented regarding the City’s effort to address this issue.
Councilmember Donovan stated that the issue is whether the City of Coronado will penalize itself when there has been no change in water quality and suggested the County of San Diego to use both tests going forward.
Mayor Bailey commented that he has spoke with Mayor Serge Dedina of Imperial Beach, who shared Councilmember’s Donovan interest in having the County use both tests and asked that the Cities of Coronado and Imperial Beach release a joint statement to the County asking them to halt usage of the ddPCR test.
Councilmember Sandke shared that he spoke with San Diego County Supervisor Nora Vargas on this issue and commented that she raised the possibility of implementing a tiered system to help citizens and visitors gauge water quality. Councilmember Sandke stated the San Antonio de los Buenos Wastewater Treatment Plant is no longer in operation, which is resulting in millions of gallons of sewage to flow into the Pacific Ocean and that he would be supportive of sending a joint letter with the City of Imperial Beach to San Diego County and that it would be helpful if Naval Base Coronado signed on to the letter as well.
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Councilmember Heinze commented that the term ‘beach closure’ is misleading, since access to water is what is actually being closed and would like to provide as much information to citizens as possible.
Mayor Bailey commented that he is not questioning the veracity of the ddPCR test but wants to understand the beach closure threshold for the new test and why it is resulting in more beach closures than normal.
A motion to direct staff to draft a letter with the City of Imperial Beach that contains a formal request to the County of San Diego to start using both water quality tests and stop using the ddPCR test to mandate beach closures until the discrepancies between the two test thresholds are understood was made by Mayor Bailey.
Councilmember Donovan asked if Mayor Bailey has made any consideration to include certain relevant organizations, such as the Surfrider Foundation, as co-signers on the letter to the County of San Diego.
Mayor Bailey responded that Mayor Dedina had shared that the Surfrider Foundation would be willing to sign on to a potential letter.
Councilmember Donovan commented that WILDCOAST has also shared concerns about the new water quality test and asked if Mayor Bailey’s motion includes direction to involve the Surfrider Foundation or WILDCOAST, or to draft a letter without the two organizations.
Mayor Bailey responded that his motion is for the City of Coronado to take the lead on drafting the letter, work with the City of Imperial Beach to ensure that they feel comfortable signing on to the letter, and then circulate the letter among other groups that have shared similar concerns.
Councilmember Donovan seconded Mayor Bailey’s motion.
The motion carried by the following results.
Yes: (4) Councilmember Sandke; Mayor Bailey;
Councilmember Heinze; Councilmember
Donovan
Absent: (1) Councilmember Tanaka
10c. FISCAL YEAR 2022-23 PROPOSED BUDGET AND FINANCIAL PLAN
PRESENTATION
Tina Friend, City Manager, introduced this item.
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John Kim, Director of Administrative Services, presented the staff report utilizing a PowerPoint presentation.
Ms. Friend presented the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for FY 2022-23 and provided background on the sequencing and prioritization of the list.
Leon Firsht, Director of Public Services and Engineering, provided information regarding the CIP projects.
Councilmember Sandke asked if any San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) funded projects are in financial jeopardy for not being completed during certain grant timelines.
Mr. Firsht replied that the SANDAG-funded Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP) was approved at the June 7, 2022 City Council meeting and that the only project he would be concerned about is the Coronado Gateway project, which requires an invoice every six months.
Councilmember Sandke commented that the fund in the worst shape is Fund 530 and asked if the stormwater fund will hold up, considering how underfunded it is.
Mr. Firsht replied that Fund 530 is underfunded, but that the facilities are in great shape because the City has been making the effort to maintain them.
Councilmember Sandke asked if the City has the resources to backfill the fund if needed.
Mr. Firsht replied that that is correct, as long as the City continues to have a general fund transfer to Fund 530.
Councilmember Donovan asked if staff has spoken with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) regarding potentially losing funding for the Coronado Gateway project.
Ms. Friend replied that she has met with the City’s Caltrans representative, is trying to find out if the City can have more flexibility on the scope of the project, and will bring the project back to the City Council to get their feedback on it.
Councilmember Donovan commented that the City Council should discuss scaling back the project so that the City does not lose the funds from Caltrans.
Councilmember Heinze expressed concerns regarding the Satellite Water Recycling and Turf Care Facilities project being sequenced as low as it is, because it is critical to the long-range success of the City’s parks and golf course. Councilmember Heinze then asked if the ‘North Library Ground Rehabilitation’ and the ‘Citywide Undergrounding Master Plan’ projects had been completed already.
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Mr. Firsht replied that the Citywide Undergrounding Master Plan was completed and the projects that that Master Plan recommended are included in the FY 2022-23 CIP List. Mr.
Firsht then added that the CIP List only includes projects that are estimated to cost over $100,000 and the North Library Ground Rehabilitation project is currently valued at $55,000.
Councilmember Sandke commented that he would like the City Council to consider the addition of a full time equivalent (FTE) employee for the Capital Improvement projects to ensure that some of the lower-sequenced projects get addressed.
Councilmember Heinze asked for clarification on the City’s revenue projections and projected expenses, specifically asking how the budget is a balanced budget.
Mr. Kim explained that for FY 2022-23, projected revenue is higher than projected expenditures (resulting in a balanced budget), but that the Total City Funds fluctuate from year to year, depending how much is allocated for Capital Improvements.
Councilmember Heinze asked if it would be inaccurate to characterize the budget with the following statement: “We’re spending some of they money we saved over the past few years on this major project for Parker Pump Station.” Mr. Kim replied in the affirmative and added that the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects are being funded by CIP-designated reserve funds. Mr. Kim commented that this level of CIP spending is not sustainable, and staff will be looking at options to address this, including making sure that the spending levels are aligned with the CIP project sequencing.
Councilmember Heinze commented that the Street Tree Master Plan is not on the CIP List and hopes that that project is completed soon. Councilmember Heinze expressed concerns over the City’s growing vehicle inventory and requested Ms. Friend examine whether the four requested vehicles need to be purchased this year.
Mayor Bailey commented that some of these funds being discussed were created several years ago and asked if staff could prepare an overview of these funds and their strategic objectives.
Ms. Friend replied that Mayor Bailey’s request is something that she is very interested in doing and that she can work with Mr. Kim and Mr. Firsht to make sure that the City Council has a clear understanding of each of the funds. Ms. Friend commented that a facilities equipment study was done recently and that, within the decade, the City will be replacing two fire stations which will be massive capital improvement expense.
Councilmember Sandke asked for more information regarding Fund 220, the Coronado Tidelands fund, and specifically what the revenue stream is for the fund.
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Mr. Kim replied that he doesn’t have that information readily available, but that staff will get back to Councilmember Sandke with the information.
Councilmember Donovan commented that he would like staff to further analyze the subsidy rate of certain City fees, specifically citing the Parks & Recreation, Community Development, and storm drain fees. Councilmember Donovan also commented that that the Satellite Water Recycling and Turf Care Facilities project is sequenced too low and asked if staff could hire a consultant to manage the project instead of hiring a new FTE employee.
Councilmember Sandke spoke in favor of Councilmember Donovan’s comments.
Mayor Bailey asked Councilmember Donovan if he could confirm that he would like a report from staff on City fees and the policies surrounding the fees.
Councilmember Donovan replied in the affirmative and added that he would like a comprehensive study done for each of the three fees he mentioned.
Mayor Bailey replied that an appropriate first step is for staff to identify what the current fee policies are for each department and determine whether the City Council wants to change that policy. Mayor Bailey commented that Councilmember Donovan and Councilmember Sandke would like the Satellite Water Recycling and Turf Care Facilities project sequenced higher and asked if Councilmember Heinze would like the same.
Councilmember Heinze replied in the affirmative.
Mayor Bailey suggested directing staff to return with options to sequence the Satellite Water project higher on the list without adding a new FTE employee.
Councilmember Heinze commented that instead of another Council item on fees, he would prefer a summary of the current fee structure.
Ms. Friend replied that there are funds in the current budget for a comprehensive fee study and that she currently cannot produce the summary that Councilmember Heinze is currently seeking, adding that the City does not currently have a comprehensive fee schedule. Ms. Friend summarized what a comprehensive fee study would entail and what decisions would be brought to the City Council from such a study.
Mr. Kim, in response to Councilmember Sandke’s earlier question, replied that Fund 220 covers the City’s operation of the Glorietta Bay marina and docks, and that the revenues for the fund come from rents and slip fees.
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A motion to direct staff to incorporate Council feedback into the Fiscal Year 2022- 23 Proposed Budget for adoption at the June 23, 2022, City Council Special meeting regarding scaling back the Coronado Gateway project so that Caltrans funding is not lost and analyze whether four new vehicles need to be purchased, return to Council with comprehensive fee study for consideration and discussion, and return with additional options regarding staff support for the Satellite Water Recycling and Turf Care Facilities project was made by Councilmember Sandke and seconded by Councilmember Donovan.
The motion carried by the following results.
Yes: (4) Councilmember Sandke; Mayor Bailey;
Councilmember Heinze; Councilmember
Donovan
Absent: (1) Councilmember Tanaka
13. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Bailey adjourned the Regular meeting at 5:54 p.m.
APPROVED: July 19, 2022
___________________________________
RICHARD BAILEY, Mayor of the
City of Coronado
ATTEST:
___________________________________________
JENNIFER EKBLAD, City Clerk of the
City of Coronado
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