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Print Minutes (PDF)
Development Oversight Commission
Meeting Mintues for
November 2, 2009
Commission Members
| Dennis Guerra, AIA, LEED AP | Brian F. Holloway | John M. Packowski, Associate AIA |
| Holger Fuerst, Chair | Roger Valine | John Nunan |
| Darryl Chinn, AIA, Vice Chair | Vacant | Kristina McBurney |
City Staff
David Kwong, Acting Director, Community Development
Sabina Gilbert, Deputy City Attorney
Janis Franklin, Program Specialist
300 Richards Boulevard - 2nd Floor Training Room
November 2, 2009– 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 Community Development 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 Community Development Department at (916) 808-7705 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.
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 5, 2009
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Approve Commission Minutes for October 5, 2009.
Contact: Janis Franklin, Program Specialist, (916) 808-7705
Action: Moved, seconded and carried (Valine/Holloway; 8:0:0) to approve minutes.
Staff Reports
Staff reports include oral presentations including those recommending receive and file.
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Director Update – Activities of the Community Development Department (Oral)
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Receive and File - Status report on proposed amendments to Zoning Code, design standards, and other development-related regulations; Community Development Department organizational and operational changes, work program, and training program; and similar matters.
Note that this is a status report, not a substantive report on any of these items, so it would not allow a discussion of a particular project, or a report on a particular reorganization proposal or item in the work program. It would only allow staff to identify and briefly describe, for example, the proposal or work program item. If there was a desire for more discussion, the item would need to be listed separately on the agenda as a staff report.
Contact: David Kwong , Acting Director of Development, (916) 808-2691
Action: David Kwong updated the Commission on the department’s response to engaging in FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) restricted permits issuance, the subsequent actions being undertaken by the department, and a joint effort by the City Attorney’s Office and the City Manager’s Office to review and address current and past operational practices. David noted that two employees, Director, Bill Thomas, and Supervisor, Dan Waters, had been placed on paid administrative leave, pending an accelerated investigation of the permit process and policy or code compliance. He reported that we have been communicating with FEMA, that no assessments have been made yet, and that the investigation, initiated on October 30, 2009, will take approximately three weeks to complete. David also reported that a special committee has been set up which will be led by Council Member, Steve Cohn, to conduct a longer-term, more detailed, full audit of the department. David told the Commission that he has asked Community Development staff to be cooperative. He said he would report back to the City Council and the Development Oversight Commission as the investigation continues. Division Manager, Ryan Pham was asked to update the Commission on the status of the department’s budget. Ryan reported that we were expected to be $400K in the black for FY 08/09 and that for the first three quarters of this fiscal year we exceeded revenue numbers, resulting in a positive $400K. Commissioner Valine asked Ryan to clarify the fees we charge in terms of accounts receivable. Ryan confirmed that those numbers are booked as income/revenue. He went on to say that for FY 11, there would be a new citywide budget process under the leadership of Assistant City Manager, Gus Vina, mirrored on a process initiated in Community Development. He said that he and David Kwong would be very involved in the new process. Commissioner Chinn and Commissioner Valine asked Ryan about the percentage of residential versus commercial revenue, specifically, the percentage of revenue deferral. Ryan asked Program Specialist, Janis Franklin to respond to the Commission. Janis responded that the percentage related to fee deferral was less than $2 million and that they were all related to impact fees. Commissioner Valine thanked the department for having a better handle on the business dynamic and said the job being done was terrific. Commissioner McBurney asked for an update on the FPP (Facility Permit Program), Commissioner Nunan inquired about the Ticket program, followed by Commissioner Holloway who asked about the success of the program. David Kwong advised that the Ticket and FPP programs had been suspended, and that we would not be doing any work without a building permit. He said that we have a good program with phased permitting, that any work done is plan-checked, permitted and filed, and that we are looking at putting the right mechanisms in place to support the program in future, including a review of current practices to reduce risk. Chair Fuerst requested that staff report back on agenda next month. - Universal Design Ordinance to Add Chapter 15.154 to Title 15 of the Sacramento
City Code (the Building Code)
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Review and Comment on an ordinance that would require residential developments, consisting of 20 (twenty) or more single family and/or duplex units, to provide specific options to prospective buyers that would make the home accessible.
Contact: Greg Sandlund, Associate Planner, (916) 808-8931; Carl Hefner, Chief Building Official, (916) 808-8779; Jim McDonald AICP, Senior Planner, (916) 808-5723
Action: Greg Sandlund updated the Commission regarding the Universal Design Ordinance and gave a power point presentation highlighting the accessibility challenges faced by City residents with disabilities when purchasing new single family homes. Commissioner Fuerst asked how the ordinance compared to other agencies in the area. Greg said that comparisons can be made with Davis, Murieta, Dublin, and Long Beach, with the key difference being that they apply the ordinance to all models. In response to a question by Commissioner McBurney about developers building on smaller lots, Senior Planner, Bill McDonald said that the one-in-twenty option was a starting point for us, and that a review of smaller lots would take place later to figure out solutions. Commissioner Nunan asked about enforcement. Deputy Building Official, Carl Hefner responded that we would be surveying builders and customers via phone calls and cards to validate enforcement of home options. Commissioner Valine asked about reaching out to the 5-county region and said that our approach was good in terms of meeting a need. Commissioner Holloway noted that he had been involved in a similar process years ago that wasn’t successful, and that what we had now was a reasonable, well thought-out plan.
Attachment
Power Point
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Meter Retrofit – Report Back from Utilities (Oral)
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Review and Comment on meter retrofit project.
Contact: Robert Thaung, Supervising Engineer, (916) 808-8891; Dave Brent, Engineering Manager, (916) 808-1420
Action: Department of Utilities Engineering Manager, Dave Brent updated the Commission regarding the meter retrofit program and gave a power point presentation regarding the City’s progress on Senate Bill #2572, passed in 2005, mandating the installation of water meters to encourage conservation and prevent leaks or failures. Dave reiterated the City’s commitment to water conservation including community outreach and education. He also cited watering day rules and enforcement practices. Dave’s summary included program costs, the number of retrofits expected, target areas, and the timeline based on a plan adopted by City Council. Commissioner Packowski asked about the number of staff allocated for this project. Dave responded that none of the department’s five staff members currently assigned were grant-funded, demonstrating the City’s commitment to conservation efforts. Commissioner McBurney asked about enforcement. Dave said that while conservation days will still apply, water use will be scrutinized, so that metered users will be charged for what they use.
Attachment
Power Point
Public Comments - Matters Not on the Agenda
- Chair Fuerst acknowledged a member of the public who opted not to speak.
Chair Fuerst asked Janis Franklin to report back on the Commission vacancies. Janis responded that this issue was not on the Agenda, but that the positions were being posted or reposted based on the lack of responses to the initial posts, with the exception of Commissioner Valine’s seat. She said that a recommendation would be going to the PP&E Committee on November 4, 2009, to fill his seat. Commissioner Packowski acknowledged an article posted in the Bee written by Paul Noble, complimenting the Department’s Matrix program.
Questions, Ideas, and Announcements of Commission Members
- Commissioner Valine asked the Commission to reflect about the value of the Commission in terms of the benefits provided to staff and the community. He asked about the goals of the Commission over the next 12 months. Chair Fuerst agreed with the proposed Commission assessment and asked that it be placed on the Agenda for next month.
