AVALON CITY COUNCIL 
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2008
7:00 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
410 AVALON CANYON ROAD, AVALON
A G E N D A

CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE / INVOCATION
ROLL CALL
ANNOUNCEMENTS / WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Members of the public may address the City Council at this time.  No action will be taken on non-agenda items at this meeting.  Speakers should limit comments to three (3) minutes each.

PRESENTATION
None
 
CONSENT CALENDAR
All items listed on the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine by the Council and will be enacted with one motion.  There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a specific item is removed from the Consent Calendar for further discussion and possible action.

1. Motion to Waive
Government Code Section 36934 provides that all ordinances shall be read in full either at the time of introduction or passage, unless the City Council adopts a motion to waive further reading following the reading of the titles of the ordinance. The following is on tonight's agenda:

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AVALON REGARDING MINOR OBSTRUCTIONS OF PUBLIC ALLEYS AND SIDEWALKS AND AMENDING THE AVALON MUNICIPAL CODE

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AVALON ALLOWING THE CITY MANAGER TO GRANT PERMISSION TO PERSONS TO BRING ANIMALS ON CRESCENT (FRONT) STREET AND AMENDING THE AVALON MUNICIPAL CODE

2. Actions
Although the live recording is the official record of public meetings, actions are prepared for the Council's approval.
Recommended Action
Approve the actions from the July 1, 2008, City Council meeting.  

3. Expenditures
Approve warrants in the amount of $504,608.87 and payroll amounting to $220,594.49 for total expenditures in the amount of $725,203.36. 
Recommended Action
Approve expenditures in the amount of $725,203.36.

4. Adoption of Mileage and Meal Reimbursement Policy 
The City has not revised its travel and expense reimbursement policy  since 1996. In addition the old policy does not address car rentals, hotel  stays and various other issues.
Recommended Action
Adopt the revised Travel and Expense Policy.

5. Temporary Interim Lease and Operating Agreement for Joe Machado  Ball Field Concession Stand 
The City has entered into a temporary arrangement with Margie Wahl to  take over the concession stand and restroom maintenance responsibilities  to ensure continued service to the public through the baseball league's season.
Recommended Action
Authorize the City Manager to execute a temporary interim lease and  operating agreement with Margie Wahl.
 
PUBLIC HEARING
6. Property Related Fee Review for Fiscal Year 2008/2009
Property related fees require notice to all property owners. This year the fee increase is 5% for sewer and salt water and 10% for sanitation services. The fee increases are consistent with the changes in costs associated with contract services, labor costs, materials, supplies and fuel costs.
Recommended Action
Open the Public Hearing to public comments regarding fees and charges, for property related fees for FY 2008/2009, and continue hearing to the meeting of August 5, 2008.
 
GENERAL BUSINESS
7. Request by the Santa Catalina Island Company (SCI CO.) to Waive Admissions Tax for Entertainment Events for Three Years - The City has received a request from the SCI Co. to waive the 4% admissions tax for the next three years on their upcoming high caliber entertainment to be held in the Casino Ballroom. 
Recommended Action
Deny the request to waive admissions tax for a period of three years for entertainment events sponsored by the Santa Catalina Island Company.

8. Voting Delegate and Alternate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference
The Annual League of California Cities Conference is in September and in order for the City to vote on resolutions at the Business Meeting Council has to appoint a delegate and an alternate(s).
Recommended Action
1) Appoint a voting delegate and alternate and 2) Adopt resolution designating a voting delegate and alternate for the Annual League of California Cities Conference.
 
9. Minor Obstruction of Public Sidewalks and Alleys 
City Council has been debating on the issue of obstruction permits since March. Consensus is needed to proceed forward with a new revised ordinance.
Recommended Action
Discuss and introduce one of the draft ordinances and pass it to a second reading.

10. Animals on Front Street
This ordinance will permit the City Manager to grant permission for animals on Crescent Avenue in connection with special events or activities.
Recommended Action
1) Introduce ordinance and pass to a second reading, and 2) Adopt fee resolution for this permit.

CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Casino fuel dock / restaurant update

MAYOR'S REPORT
 
COUNCILMEMBER'S REPORT

ADJOURN

NOTICE OF POSTING
I, Denise Radde, declare that the City Council Agenda for July 15, 2008, was posted on Thursday, July 10 2008, at the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, located on the Pleasure Pier, at City Hall, 410 Avalon Canyon Road, and on the City's website www.cityofavalon.com. Copies of agendas and staff reports are available to the public at City Hall. 

____________________________________
Denise A. Radde, City Clerk / Assistant to the City Manager 

CITY OF AVALON
CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS
TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2008

CALL TO ORDER: 7:03 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Present- Mayor Kennedy, Mayor Pro Tem Rikalo, and Council Members Ponce, Winslow, and Nelson.  Also present: City Manager Pete Woolson; City Attorney Pam Albers, and City Clerk Denise Radde.

ANNOUNCEMENTS 
Mayor Kennedy announced that the Santa Catalina Island Company has put out flyers letting the citizens of Avalon know that the gas station will be closed Monday, July 21 thru Wednesday, July 23 at noon. 

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
Mayor Kennedy had received numerous emails and letters regarding the current newspaper articles about gangs in Avalon.

PRESENTATIONS
None
 
ORAL COMMUNICATION
Steve Hayes, #1 Upper Terrace Road, addressed Council reminding them of the negotiated transaction that occurred with the City back in December 2007. The final mile stone to be completed is still in the hands of the City. Mr. Hayes remarked about his frustration in that he has made numerous contacts with City Staff by letters, phone calls, and emails and has not gotten any results. City Attorney Albers stated that she was at fault and apologized to Mr. Hayes and assured him that she will finish the necessary paper work as soon as possible.  She noted however, that insofar as the City Council conditioned the sale of the driveway area to require no other improvements, construction or otherwise, the delay has not affected their ability to complete the creation of the new parcel or to sell or develop the new parcel. 
 
CONSENT CALENDAR
There were five items on the Consent Calendar, Councilmember Rikalo removed number four for clarification. Motion to approve items 1,2,3 and 5 by Michael Ponce, seconded by Tim Winslow. (All Ayes)     

1. Approved reading of Ordinance Title(s) and Motion to waive pursuant to Government Code Section 36934.

2. Approved City Council Actions from the July 1, 2008 City Council meeting.

3.  Approved warrants in the amount of $504,608.87 and payroll amounting to $220,594.49 for total expenditures in the amount of $725,203.36.

5. Authorized the City Manager to execute a temporary interim lease and operating agreement with Margie Wahl.

Pulled Item:
4. Adoption of Mileage and Meal Reimbursement Policy - Councilmember Rikalo asked for clarification on the revised policy, she wanted to know if the City was following the U.S. General Services Administration Domestic Per Diem rate on all things. City Attorney Albers stated that the City was following their reference, with authority given to specified persons to go over that amount if necessary.  Motion to adopt the revised Mileage and Meal Reimbursement Policy by Sue Rikalo, seconded by Tim Winslow. (All Ayes)

PUBLIC HEARING 7:19-7:21 p.m.
6. Property Related Fee Review FY 2008/2009  City Manger Woolson covered the Finance Directors staff report outlining the report summary. The Public Hearing was opened for public comment, no one can forward to comment, and the meeting was closed and continued to the August 5, 2008 meeting.

GENERAL BUSINESS
7. Request by the Santa Catalina Island Company (SCI CO.) to Waive Admissions Tax for Entertainment Events for Three Years -  The SCI Co. submitted a written request asking the City to waive the 4% admissions tax for the next three years on SCI Co.'s upcoming higher caliber entertainment in the Casino Ballroom. Joe Caliva, Vice President of Sightseeing at the SCI Co. spoke to Council outlining the reasons for the request. After discussion, there was consensus from Council to: 1) Waive the admissions tax on large, high end events for a period of one year only, 2) Require that an admissions tax form be completed and filed with an attachment that shows the event revenues and expenditures and how the loss or gain was calculated, and 3) require payment of the admissions tax in the event the affair is financially in the black.  Motion by Scott Nelson, seconded by Tim Winslow. (All Ayes) 

8. Voting Delegate and Alternate for the Annual League of California Cities Conference - Motion by Sue Rikalo to appoint Bob Kennedy as the delegate and Michael Ponce and Sue Rikalo as the alternates, seconded by Michael Ponce. (All Ayes)

9. Minor Obstructions of Public Sidewalks and Alleys - City Manager Woolson read a letter of petition from 30 residents on Eucalyptus requesting an exemption to the City ordinance concerning street usage. After significant discussion among members of the Council regarding, among other things, barbeque grills, picnic tables, chairs, recreational items, the City Attorney was directed to redo the ordinance again for another first reading.  

10. Animals on Crescent Avenue-  Motion to introduce and pass to a second reading an ordinance that will allow the City Manager or his designee to grant permission to persons or entities to bring animals on Crescent Street,  and to adopt a resolution setting the fee for processing such a permit at $185 by Michael Ponce, seconded by Sue Rikalo. (4 Ayes, 1 No- Scott Nelson. Councilmember Nelson indicated he was in favor of having permits for such uses, but was opposed to charging a permit fee.)  
        
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Pete Woolson gave an update on structural issues at the Casino Dock cafe restaurant, where a visible dip can be observed in the deck surface.  Nobel Engineering, which is working on plans for the Fuel Dock Replacement project, has surveyed the conditions and proposed an interim solution pending the replacement project.  This plan will allow the businesses to remain open for the rest of the season. The repair project is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 21 and will take no more than two weeks.
 
MAYOR'S REPORT
Mayor Kennedy reviewed what has transpired in the last few days regarding public comments in the newspapers regarding gangs. He felt that the press coverage reflected unfavorably on the City.  Mayor Kennedy would like to have the sheriffs issue a statement with true facts in them and relay what is actually happening in our community; however it was noted that Lt. Cook will be on vacation until next week. Mayor Kennedy would also like to see a Civilian or Citizen's Advisory Committee, noting that there are similar groups in other communities which appear to be helpful in creating better communication between law enforcement and the residents.

Wayne Griffin addressed the issue of contacts with the media. He has been through four training classes and stated it is really important to know how to answer the press's questions. Wayne stated he would be happy to give a training class. He stressed that the message given to the press has to be consistent, truthful and factual.

Councilmember Nelson thought all communications should go through or be referred to one person, such as a Press Secretary.   By consensus of the City Council, the City Manager was designated to serve this role.
 
COUNCILMEMBER REPORT
Councilmember Rikalo asked that the CUP changes come back at the next City Council meeting.  Councilmember Nelson stated that he will be on vacation and absent from the next Council meeting and asked that the matter be held until the 2nd meeting in August. 

ADJOURN: 8:30 p.m.

I, Denise Radde, City Clerk of the City of Avalon, do hereby certify that the DVD videotape of the City Council Meeting of July 15, 2008, is the official record of that Council Meeting and is on file and maintained in City Hall.

_____________________________                                            
Denise A. Radde, City Clerk/Assistant to the City Manager