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Print Minutes (PDF)
Development Oversight Commission
Meeting Minutes for November 3, 2008
Commission Members
| Dennis Guerra | Brian F. Holloway | John M. Packowski, Associate AIA |
| Holger Fuerst, Vice Chair | Scott Schriefer | John Nunan |
| Darryl Chinn, AIA | Roger Valine , Chair | Kristina McBurney |
City Staff
William Thomas, Director, Development Services
Sabina Gilbert, Deputy City Attorney
Janis Franklin, Program Specialist
New City Hall, 1st Floor - Council Chambers
November 3, 2008– 5:30 P.M.
The Development Oversight Commission (DOC) is a commission of the City Council with review and recommendation authority. Its purpose is to provide a forum for the public to introduce and discuss suggestions, comments, and concerns regarding the City's Development Services function. The DOC will host public meetings to hear public comments before providing its recommendations to City Council.
Notice to the Public
You are welcomed and encouraged to participate in this meeting. Public comment is taken (3 minutes maximum) on items listed on the agenda when they are called. Public comment on items not listed on the agenda will be heard at the end of the meeting as noted on the agenda. Comments on controversial items may be limited and large groups are encouraged to select 3-5 speakers to represent the opinion of the group.
Notice to Lobbyists: When addressing the Commission you must identify yourself as a lobbyist and announce the client/business/organization you are representing (City Code 2.15.160).
Speaker slips are located in the lobby of the hearing room and should be completed and submitted to the Commission Secretary.
Government Code 54950 (The Brown Act) requires that a brief description of each item to be transacted or discussed be posted at least 72 hours prior to a regular meeting. The City posts Agendas at City Hall as well as offsite meeting locations.
The order of agenda items is for reference; agenda items may be taken in any order deemed appropriate by the Commission. The agenda provides a general description and staff recommendations; however, the Commission may take action other than what is recommended. The agenda is available for public review on the Wednesday prior to the meeting. Hard copies of the agenda, synopsis, and staff reports are available from the Development Services Department at 300 Richards Boulevard, 3rd Floor (.25 cents per page) , during regular business hours or can be downloaded at www.cityofsacramento.org/dsd.
Meeting facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities. If you require special assistance to participate in the meeting, notify the Development Services Department at (916) 808-5908 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
Minutes
All items listed are heard and acted upon by the Development Oversight Commission unless otherwise noted.
Call to Order – 5:30 p.m.
Roll Call-
All present except Commissioner Nunan. Commissioner McBurney arrived at 5:38pm.
Consent Calendar
All items listed under the Consent Calendar are considered and acted upon by one motion. Anyone may request that an item be removed for separate consideration.
- Approval of Minutes for October 6, 2008
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Approve Commission Minutes for October 6, 2008.
Contact: Janis Franklin, Program Specialist, (916) 808-7705
Action: Moved, seconded, and carried (Holloway/ Guerra: 7; 0; 0) to approve minutes.
Staff Reports
Staff reports include oral presentations including those recommending receive and file.
- Director Update - Activities of the Development Services Department (Oral)
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Receive and Comment on consolidations and budget.
Contact: William Thomas, Director of Development, (916) 808-1918
Action: Willie Harris (on behalf of William Thomas) presented an update regarding department consolidations with Development Services, Economic Development and Planning. He stated that the plans were to complete the consolidation by year end to increase customer service, efficiencies, eliminate duplication of services and to result in a large cost savings. Commissioner Valine asked if staff had a specific dollar amount as a goal for cost savings. He also asked if staff had prioritized services as part of the consolidation plan. Commissioner Packowski asked about overall staff morale. Commissioner Valine suggested that management be as visible and approachable as possible during this time, with timely and complete delivery of information to staff, and volunteered assistance. Commissioner Fuerst asked for an elaboration regarding using the consolidation as a strategy during the current budget situation. Commissioner Fuerst also asked about further staff reductions, and whether this would result in cutting vital services. ACM Dangberg commented about the value of aligning Development Services, Long Range Planning and Economic Development. He added that there would be continued reduction in the work force midyear and in the next budget year due to reduced workload and revenues. Commissioner Valine asked if management had worked with staff to develop pro-growth ideas. ACM Dangberg reviewed components of the economic stimulus strategy, and stated that the strategy would be delivered to City Council in January. Ryan Pham presented an update regarding the engagement of staff in an essential service planning initiative. He added that the resulting recommendations would be forwarded to City Council for action during the budget process. Ryan added details regarding projected revenues. Commissioner Valine recommended that management meet regularly with line employees to review current processes for increased efficiencies, and that management celebrate staff that identifies increased efficiencies.
- City Manager Update - Recommendations for Process Improvements and Increased Effectiveness (Oral)
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Receive and Comment
Contact: Ray Kerridge, City Manager, (916) 808-1930
Action: Ray Kerridge thanked DOC members, and commented on the strategy of building a structure around economic development as part of planning for the future and recovery from the economic downturn. He also reviewed new ideas for plans for the future including the Sacramento Economic and Employment Development (SEED) Corporation concept as a method to diversify, identify new revenue streams and increase revenues. He reviewed high level conceptual details regarding the proposed plasma arc project and the resulting sale of by- products produced through this technology as an example of a new revenue stream that could be run through the SEED Corporation. He asked for DOC input regarding the functional consolidation of development services between the City and County of Sacramento, including plan reviews, permitting inspections and planning services. He also presented a conceptual master builder concept plan, which would include a master builder certification which would give the builder certain advantages including marketing, exemption of certain plan review and inspection requirements. Ray expressed interest in DOC feedback regarding the master builder concept. Several Commissioners expressed support for the master builder concept. Ray also reviewed the concept of proliferating the customer service culture of development services and the Development Oversight Commission regionally. He asked for feedback regarding a regional perspective -a regional DOC- to include other jurisdictions. He added that this could result in standardized forms, requirements for plan review, fee methodology, interpretations of code, etc. that would increase uniformity and predictability. Commissioner Holloway commented that the way to start this concept would be to start with the City and County of Sacramento. Ray Kerridge asked for subcommittees to work on the concepts. Commissioner Valine asked for DOC volunteers to work on subcommittees for the master builder concept and the regional DOC concept. Commissioners Valine, Fuerst, Holloway and McBurney volunteered for the regional DOC concept subcommittee. Commissioners Packowski, Chinn, Guerra and Schriefer volunteered for the master builder concept subcommittee. Commissioner Holloway asked Ray what else the DOC could do to assist. Ray answered that the DOC could provide leadership and support to staff.
- Department of Transportation- 2008 On-Site Plan Reviews
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Review and Comment
Contact: Ronald Fong, Senior Engineer, (916) 808-7915
Action: Ron Fong presented statistics regarding on-site plan reviews deadlines versus actual performance. He stated that a new reporting process would assist with continual improvement in meeting deadlines. Commissioner Chinn asked about concurrent review and timing of off site and on site plans. He also asked about staff contacts for questions regarding project status, and Ron referred to the MATRIX Team Lead as the central point of contact for questions.
- General Plan Update (Oral)
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Receive and Comment
Contact: Tom Pace, Principal Planner, (916) 808-6848
Action: Tom Pace reviewed the status of the General Plan, and distributed a document that included implementation priorities and key dates/upcoming milestones. He stated that the formal public hearing for the Planning Commission was scheduled for November 13, and Council workshop was scheduled for November 18. Council hearing for adoption of the Final General Plan and EIR is scheduled for December 2. Tom stated that the next priority was implementation of the General Plan. Commissioner Fuerst commented that the DOC should be actively involved in the implementation of the General Plan over the next several years, and asked Tom to identify lessons learned from the General Plan creation process. Tom replied that the scope of work and resources necessary to create the plan were not clearly identified in the beginning and that this delayed the process. He added that priorities, staff resources and focused identification of projects needed to be identified prior to implementation. Commissioner Fuerst asked about new legislation (AB375) and its impacts on the General Plan. Commissioner Valine expressed support and volunteered to assist with feedback as needed.
- Outline for Proposed Fire and Life Safety Summary Program
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Review and Comment
Contact: Bob Chase, AIA, Chief Building Official, (916) 808-8024
Action: Bob Chase reviewed details regarding the outline of a proposed fire and life safety summary program. He stated that the program could be phased in, beginning with high rise buildings, with submittals to include an attachment detailing the fire and life safety summary information. He added that staff would conduct further outreach prior to program implementation. Commissioner Packowski commented that this was another example of a program that could be applied region-wide.
- Fire Marshal Transition and Fee Update (Oral)
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Review and Comment
Contact: Troy Malaspino (916) 808-1620; Gary Henslee (916) 433-1300
Action: Troy Malaspino stated that he would be stepping aside as Fire Marshal to work on IT projects for the Fire Department. He introduced his successor, Gary Henslee, a 22 year veteran of the Fire Department. Gary introduced himself to the DOC. Troy asked for DOC feedback regarding administrative fees that would need to move forward separately from the fee streamlining initiative. He asked if the DOC wanted updates regarding these fees presented to the DOC Fee Subcommittee. Commissioner Valine asked Fire Department Staff to present an update regarding the proposed fees to the fee subcommittee prior to bringing the request to Council. Commissioner McBurney thanked Troy for his work with the Development Services Department and the DOC.
- Economic Incentive Plan: Permit and Entitlement Extension Program (Oral)
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Review, comment and appoint DOC subcommittee
Contact: David Kwong, Planning Manager, (916) 808-2691
Action: David Kwong gave an oral presentation regarding a proposed Permit and Entitlement Extension Program as a component of an economic stimulus program. He asked for the DOC to appoint a subcommittee to work with staff to create the program. He stated that staff would propose the program to Council in January as an automatic extension of entitlements, building plan checks and building permits to enable developers to have shovel ready sites following the lifting of restrictions from FEMA. Commissioner Chinn stated that the AIA was looking for a city-wide program and volunteered to work with staff to create that program. Commissioner Valine asked Commissioner Chinn to work with staff as the representative from the DOC to assist with the program planning. David stated that staff would bring the ordinance back to the DOC in December for review and comment.
Public Comments - Matters Not on the Agenda
- None
Questions, Ideas, and Announcements of Commission Members
- Commissioner Valine asked staff to present a review of progress to date regarding the DOC goals for the year.
