February 1, 2011 > Union City City Council Union City City Council January 25, 2011 Proclamations and Presentations January 2011 was declared National Blood Donor Month. Consent Calendar Re-established a requirement for waste containers to be hidden from public view; for business signs to be limited to name and address; re-establish senior housing parking standard; remove smoking lounges from the list of conditionally permitted uses in all Commercial Zoning districts; and update the floodplain combining district to be consistent with current FEMA guidelines. One amendment to the Health and Sanitation code and four amendments to the Zoning code were implemented. The changes would also re-implement changes that had been removed due to codification errors. Authorized a contract amendment with ROMA Designs to prepare construction documents and provide support for the pedestrian promenade and children's playground in the Station District. The promenade will include landscaping by business condos; a children's playground will be by the retail pavilion. No fiscal impact. Amended Union City Master Fee schedule to include an annual fee for tobacco retail licenses. The new fee will be $665, effective immediately. Authorized the expenditure of tax increment funds for public improvements and redevelopment activities, adopting findings from the Health and Safety Code; authorized the execution of a public agreement with the Community Redevelopment Agency, and adopted California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) findings. The City Council and the Agency Board agree that the Housing Rehabilitation Program and the Affordable Housing Administration Program are exempt from CEQA according to their guidelines. City Manager Reports Accepted the Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) and 25 year Land Use strategy overview. The SCS is a land use strategy required to be included as part of the Bay Area's 25-year Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). Authorized the preparation of schematic plans and CEQA documentation for the Liberty Park Renovation Project to be funded by Measure WW Park Bond funds. The city's goal has been to transform Liberty Park into a public park with enhanced features, such as an aquatic facility. The renovated park will require $12,500 per year for maintenance and which will come from the General Fund. Construction costs can vary depending on the design. Amended the FY 2010-11 adopted budget to restore certain reductions. All restorations will increase General Fund expenditure budget by $459,656. Not all restorations will have full-year impacts because FY 2010-11 is halfway complete. Redevelopment Agency Adopted resolution documenting Redevelopment Agency (RDA) investments in the project area that have a positive impact, both financial and otherwise, on the community. This documentation is meant to help oppose the Governor's proposal to disband redevelopment agencies. The RDA would not be allowed to collect tax increment, issue tax allocation bonds or enter into future contractual obligations which would have a severely negative financial impact. Oral Reports Vice Mayor Navarro will attend the first meeting of the Associated Community Action Program on February 2. Lorrin Ellis served as facilitator for the Union City Chamber of Commerce retreat on January 22. On January 14, he attended the opening of the Parent Resource Center at Hillview Crest Elementary. Mayor Green appointed City of Newark Councilwoman Ana Apodaca as the Association of Bay Area Government's South Bay representative. Oral Communications Helen Kennedy introduced teachers from the Hongzhou Youth Activities Culture Center in Hongzhou, China. Myrla Raymundo announced the publication of her book, "Union City: An Oral History." Mayor Mark Green - Yes Vice Mayor Jim Navarro - Yes Emily Duncan - Yes Lorrin Ellis - Yes Pat Gacoscos - Yes