August 24, 2010 > Milpitas City Council Milpitas City Council August 17, 2010 Flag ceremony performed by Troop 92, Boys Scout of America Milpitas. Proclamations and Presentations Presented a proclamation to Filipino-American World War II veterans recognizing their services to US government and entitlement veterans' rights, health and pension benefits. Obama's 2009 American Recovery & Reinvestment Act overturns President Truman's 1946 Recision Act denying such veterans of service recognition. Announcements New I-680 Express Lane (SB) will enter service on September 20. Joint Redevelopment Agency (RDA) and City Council Meeting Approved the City Engineers' plans, specifications and authorized bid proposals for renovation of sound-walls along the east side of North Milpitas Blvd from Berryessa Creek to Escuela Parkway and along the east side of Escuela Parkway from North Milpitas Blvd to Tramway Drive. The engineer estimates the project to cost approximately $100,000. Reports of Mayor and Council Mayor Livengood outlined his recommendation to direct staff to draft a green ordinance banning polystyrene food containers in Milpitas. The draft will include a future public-hearing schedule and summary of outreach to local restaurateurs and economic impact on business. Council suggested deferral of the ordinance until economically feasible and will hear staff's report and decide on a polystyrene ban at that time. Save the Bay and Clean Water Action support implementation of this ordinance. New Business Received monthly Economic Development Report from Director of Economic Development Diana Barnhart. New stores at Great Mall have increased the center's overall sales over the last quarter. Sales tax revenues continue to increase year on year. The Business Outreach Program's efforts show revenue increasing for Milpitas companies - Solodigm, Flextronics, LSI Logic and Nanometrics. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has halted the California First Program, a property-assessed clean energy program that provides funding to local property owners for energy-efficient (PACE) upgrades. FHFA has advised lenders to cease funding PACE projects pending a borrower-default analysis. Approved a letter to the Grand Jury stating the city's position regarding the 2009-10 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury report titled "City Must Rein in Unsustainable Employee Costs." The report states employee costs have escalated and outpaced revenue and makes 15 recommendations to contain employee costs. Council has already implemented several of the recommendations. A Citizens Task Force Committee was established to develop and recommend long-term budget needs. The Task Force negotiated a seven percent employee wage reduction and deferred all employee wage increases for FY 2010. Janitorial, administrative, landscaping and trash-collection services have been outsourced. Councilmember Giordano opposed the City response letter, specifically the recommendation to "reduce employee total compensation cost." (3 "AYES", 1 "NO" (Giordano)). Ordinance Amended Milpitas municipal code for certain public nuisances and their abatement. A property owner's failure to pay for safety inspection(s), water and sewer services, police alarm responses and other city services would violate the public nuisance code and be subject to a lien against the property. Property owners would receive notification before recordation of the lien(s). Bids and Contracts Amended contract agreement with Frank Martorella for a maximum, annual amount of $64,000 for Fire Department Inspection Services. Awarded the bid for McCarthy Ranch Landscape Maintenance Services to Jensen Services, Inc. for the maximum, annual amount of $62,879. Public Forum Several South Abel Street home residents oppose the Milpitas Food Pantry's city-approved relocation to a building near the Milpitas Main Post Office, South Abel St. Residents' issues include increased foot- and truck-traffic in a business area, close proximity to a residential community is atypical of Bay Area food assistance locations, close proximity to three community parks diminishes visitors' enjoyment and potential increases on loitering, vandalism and crime. Food Pantry supporters and Vice Mayor McHugh dispute these claims. The Food Pantry's relocation was added to the September 7 meeting agenda. Mayor Robert Livengood - Yes Vice Mayor Peter McHugh - Yes Debbie Giordano - Yes Armando Gomez - Yes Althea Polanski - Absent