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Health & Fitness

City Council Meeting: October 28, 2013

Controversial Drug House Ordinance passes, City in Better Financial Shape, Chief Harris works on New Ordinances

City Council Chambers, 3575 Pacific Avenue, Livermore

Following the swearing in of several new City Committee volunteers and two Beautification Awards, Three speakers in came forward for the Citizen's Forum. John Stein remembered former City Attorney Thomas Curry. Ted Giatas introduced himself as the new executive director of the Livermore Valley Performing Arts Centre, and Don Meeker expressed the need for a History-Arts Facility, and requested that the City Council order a feasibility Study. Later in the council session, Councilmen Horner, Woerner and Gary all expressed support for Meeker's proposal, as did Ted Giatas, who spoke after Mr. Meeker.

The Drug House Abatement Ordinance (Item 4.02) was, once again, a hot button issue with Ken Bradley of AVR Properties. He spoke before the city council once again, expressing his concerns and accusing the Police Department of not being responsive to the public. “I hope someday to have a Police Department that works with the citizens,” Bradley said. Mayor Marchand countered citing two instances, one in Springtown and one on El Caminito, in which Methamphetamine Labs exploded causing a public hazard. Marchand also read a letter he'd received in support of the ordinance sent by a resident describing how a Methamphetamine Using boyfriend of her tenant moved in, changed the locks on the home and squatted there, and how this ordinance would have helped. As expected, Laureen Turner voted against the measure, but it passed 4-1. The Ordinance will go into effect in 30 Days.

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City Staff put up a recommendation to hire RRM Design Group to design a replacement for LPFD Station 9 on Cordoba Street (off Concannon). Councilman Horner objected to this, and submitted that the fees in the report were too high, and that the city should open the project up for bidding. Horner's proposal was unanimously accepted by the council and gave City Staff four weeks to address it. In questioning, City Staff revealed a significant cost savings if the structure were replaced rather than retrofitted.

The environmental impact report Two Re-Development plans was up for consideration (Item 4.06) involving two office parks across Holmes from the Lucky's Shopping Centre as well as behind that centre. Sunset Homes has proposed to re-develop those properties, demolishing the existing office parks and replacing them with 49 single family homes and 38 town houses. Councilmen Gary and Woerner expressed concern over this on several levels, including the impact on Sunset Elementary School, the displacement of 70 businesses and a radical change to the city's General Plan. Further study was ordered, but the environmental study, which will cost $188,000, was also ordered by the council.

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The City Council voted at once on items 4.01, 4.03, 4.04, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08 and 4.09, unanimously approving all of them.

Police Chief Michael Harris delivered his report on “Quality of Life Programs Update.” These included Crime Prevention (in the form of Community Groups such as Neighbourhood Watch organizations), Auxiliary Volunteers to the Police Department, Abandoned Vehicle Abatement, Graffiti Abatement, Public Dumping, Recreational Vehicle Camping in Public Lots, Abandoned Buildings, Abandoned Shopping Carts, Neighbourhood Blight, the Department's Special Operations Unit and the new Drug House Ordinance.

Program Tools the Police Department has under evaluation include: the Crime Free Multi Housing Program, Crime Stoppers, a Safe and Vibrant Downtown (in cooperation with Downtown Inc.), a Panhandling Awareness Campaign and Ordinance, an (Ubran) Camping Ordinance (on the Homeless), and a Special Host Ordinance (on hosting under-age drinking parties). According to Harris, all of these items should be ready to present to the City Council before the end of the year.

Chief Harris went on to talk about the need for Crime Analysis and that his department was looking into restructuring it's hierarchical organization for the purposes of efficiency in the field.

Following the Chief's report, Councilman Woerner expressed the need for Statistics and Trend reporting from the Police Department.

Administrative Services Director Doug Allesio delivered the city's un-audited financial report. Total Revenue for fiscal year 2012-13 came in nearly $6 million over estimates at $89,028,631.00, but, Allesio said, there was a one time payment that, when taken into account, would have reduced revenue by $3-4 million. Allesio went on to say that long term liabilities are still not covered even with the economic upswing, and expressed concern over liabilities like CalPERS, which are increasing at a rate that outpaces inflation. Livermore has no control over CalPERS. Increasing Health Care Premiums are also a concern.

Councilman Woerner also expressed concern. “The City cannot solve all its financial problems on its own,” Woerner said.

During the City Councilmembers individual reports, Woerner revealed that there is a plan in the works for WiFi to be set up in Downtown, but did not elaborate upon it. And Mayor Marchand spoke of banning Smoking Downtown, having a forum on the Homeless which he, himself, might moderate, and the possibility of doing something different with the space once occupied by Tommie's Cafe at the Library, possibly in concert with Del Valle High School.

The City Council Meetings can be viewed on the Community TV30 Website.

The City Council Agenda for Monday, October 28 may be viewed on the City of Livermore Website.

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