Banking, Planning & Governing, oh my: City Council Liveblog Tonight!

Tonight’s City Council meeting is going to be a very interesting demonstration of interpersonal and community dynamics.  Several contentious issues on agenda will be sure to attract a crowd of vocal advocates and prove the rule that politics makes for strange bedfellows.  I’ll be there, awkwardly wearing my press hat from one of the up front and center seats reserved for the press, liveblogging the action for your enjoyment.  I had such a great response from the last meeting’s liveblog, why not try it again?

So, here’s how its going to work: I’m going to list all of the items for consideration (both consent and regular calendar) with links to each staff report.  If you’ve got any questions or thoughts, leave them in the comments and I’ll respond as best I can.  At 6:30pm starting hitting that refresh button on your browser as I’ll continue to update until the bitter end.

09/21/10 Davis City Council Agenda

Consent Calendar

• 02A Lacrosse Cosponsor Agreement.pdf
• 02B Caltrans Grant, CIP 8164.pdf
• 02C Davis Solar Photovoltaic Project.pdf
• 02D Photovoltaic Utility Scale Application (PVUSA) Expansion.pdf
• 02E Golf Course Energy Farm.pdf
• 02F Shared Services.pdf
• 02G Interim City Manager.pdf
• 02H FY09-10 Public Works Permits Program Budget Adjustment.pdf
• 02I Sustainable Holiday Tree Program.pdf

Regular Calendar

• 03 CAPER 2009.pdf
• 04 Yolo Federal Credit Union Bldg 501 & 511 G Street.pdf
• 05 Pacifico – Project Foreclosure & Proposal.pdf
• 06 Banking Services.pdf
• 07 Davis Economic Indicator Report 2009.pdf
• 08 City Commission Structure.pdf

So, what’s going to be the most contentious? Banking Services & the City Commission Structure items, for sure.  The Yolo Federal Credit Union Building may cause a flare up, not because it’s a crazy plan but because development of any kind seems always to be controversial.  So, banking, planning and governing… the big ticket item for tonight’s main event at City Hall.

I’m told that Item 8 regarding the restructuring of City Commissions has been pulled from the agenda… no confirmation except the comment left by “t”.

6:30pm – Mayor Don Saylor has gavelled this meeting to order and the agenda has been approved.  Now, a surprise City Proclamation in honor of outgoing City Manager Bill Emlen since this is his last meeting.  And now Mayor Pro Tem Joe Krovoza just pulled out a commendation from Congress by Rep. Mike Thompson.  And now a representative from Assemblymember Yamada’s office with more of the same.  Heartfelt words from Councilmembers Stephen Souza, Rochelle Swanson & Sue Greenwald are rounding out the gratitude.

6:45pm – Comments from Mr. Emlen, “For me this has been the highlight of my career, with the array of smart people who are interested and involved in this city… and for my staff, I can’t say enough about them… the level of commitment from my staff… are over the top… Thank you for the opportunity to serve this community.”

If you’re at home and hearing mumbling from the crowd, that would be Mr. Joe Sherman… a regular at public comments and first up as the public is given the opportunity to comment about anything that is not on the agenda.

6:50pm – More public comments… Dan Wolk is extending appreciation from his mother, Sen. Lois Wolk, for Bill Emlen’s service to the community.  The next speaker is Terry Cook, who is here to give comments about bicycling… he wants some guidance about how pedestrians and bicyclists should share bike paths Next up, a UC Davis student and ASUCD rep.  whose name I didn’t catch… town and gown relations etc.

6:58pm – Moving on to the Consent Calendar, Councilmember Greenwald pulled items D,E, and F.  Greenwald also abstained from item B because she owns a home near the site.

7:00pm – Regarding Item D, expansion of PVUSA, Greenwald is concerned that we’re moving too quickly on all of the various solar project around town… especially that they’re all in partnership with private industry.  Krovoza comments that it would be good to have a future agenda item that looks at all of the solar opportunities that are in front of the City now.  There is concern about the time line to apply for federal funds in support of solar projects; apparently, there is a critical deadline that is the same date as the next Council meeting.

7:10pm - In an attempt to move things along, Saylor is asking that Council support both D & E and then in October have a discussion that brings together all of the solar opportunities in front of the Council.  Souza moves item D, there is a second and now more comments… D passes unanimously.  E&F are held to the end of the meeting.

7:14pm – Item 3 on the Regular Agenda begins, the Consolidated Annual Performance & Evaluation Report.  From the staff report, “The purpose of this report is to inform citizens, government officials and community groups about the activities that were funded during Program Year 2009 (from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010) and to evaluate how the funded activities assisted very low- income and low-income residents.”  Highlights of accomplishments include ADA improvements to the Senior Center Lobby, the Varsity Theatre Family Restroom and an evaluation of City facilities. Moved by Souza, seconded by Swanson and passes unanimously.

7:18pm – Item 4 on the agenda is the development of a new home for Yolo Federal Credit Union at the corner of 5th & G Street.  The plan is for a two story building that’s already been given approval by the HRMC (there is a historic site a couple of hundred feet away).  Staff is assuring Council that the Road Diet has been kept in mind during this planning process.

7:40pm – Saylor got my question answered, the bollards that block traffic from going north on the alley parallel to G Street will NOT be removed.  Negative Declaration of environmental impacts passes unanimously, and it looks like all of the other necessary motions to make this thing happen are moving swiftly too.  Guess I was wrong, not all development in Davis is controversial!  Or is that just because of the tireless, behind the scenes, consensus building skills of project consultant Mark Rutheiser?

7:51pm – Well, lookee there… YFCU has a project, with not a single public comment!  Has Old North Davis lost their edge?  Or were they part of the planning process?

7:53pm – Moving on to Item 5, the Pacifico Affordable Housing Project.  From the Staff Report (hyperlinks my own), “Pacifico is a 112-bed cooperative housing project that first began development in 1999, opening for tenancy in 2000, and expanding with a fourth building in Fall 2004. The project is located at 1752 Drew Circle and was built to fulfill a portion of the affordable housing requirement for the surrounding subdivision. The project’s property was provided through the City of Davis’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance and units in the project serve low and very-low income households, with a focus on the student population.”

8:01pm - For all you out there concerned about how this Council spends money, it’s time you listened up and stop letting Bob Dunning lead you around by the nose about small amounts.  We’re (the taxpayers of Davis) already in for about $2.6 million dollars and one of the suggestions for consideration is sinking in another $1.5 million to make this place work… currently, it has a chronically high vacancy rate.

8:10pm – The staff recommendation is to contract with “Yolo County Housing, pursue options for maintaining housing for and integrating existing residents of Pacifico, including housing for transitioning foster youth, and working with the current Resident Council.”  Council has lots of questions about the trade-offs between more rooms vs. more desirable layouts, opportunities for UC Davis housing…

FIVE MINUTE RECESS!! Don’t you want to know what happens when the TV screen goes to the screen saver?  It’s party time!!

8:21pm – Back from party time, we’re taking Item 5 back up again.  Just found out that several residents of Pacifico are in the crowd… good to see a diverse set of perspectives on this matter.  For all of you wondering just what is going on here, basically, the City saved this affordable housing project from foreclosure in 2009 with a $1.6 million dollar loan.  The project is still only 37% occupied, so something is wrong over there.  The question now is how to increase occupancy and maintain affordable rents while spending tax dollars wisely.

8:43pm – Calling all cooperative living advocates (and I know that there are a lot of you out there!), where has your expertise and guidance been to help these people organize a more successful living situation?

8:45pm – Public comments on Item 5 from Jeff Adamski of First Northern Bank who gave encouragement in regards to the strong proposals in front of the Council.  Now, a long-time resident with thoughts about the historical lack of education for prospective tenants about what living in a co-op is like.  The next citizen’s comments are focused on the physical and structural limitations of the buildings.

8:51pm – More public comments… a current resident who is advocating for keeping the foster youth program integrated into the co-operative model.  Another current resident expounds on the idea that the current floor plan of the building precludes successful co-op living, as would more apartment style floor plans. And the last speaker is another current resident with a heartfelt plea to not be shut down.  Hold the presses, looks like Ben Pearl from Solar Community Housing Association heard my plea from 8:43 and is here with his thoughts that cooperative community in Davis does in fact to reach out here…

8:56pm – Saylor is recognizing that this is a very complex issue and is asking to hear quick, initial thoughts about which way each Council Member is leaning.  Sorry, I’m unable to parse intentions from these long answers from our esteemed Council Members… lots of concerns and hesitations, but general agreement that both groups are respectable… ok Krovoza laid it down straight, he’s supporting the staff recommendation, Saylor is too.

9:10pm – Is there a motion?  Swanson has one! Staff should go back to both EAH and Yolo County Housing and ask for a more “apples to apples” comparison that focuses on maintaining affordability and protecting the City’s financial interests.  Greenwald seconds.  Motion passed 3-2 with Saylor and Krovoza dissenting.

9:14pm – Had enough yet?  We’re nowhere near being done… So, since you’re at home, pour yourself an adult beverage and continue following me down the bunny trail by CLICKING HERE for Round Two of another fascinating evening of the people’s business in Davis Community Chambers.