Four Noteworthy 3 February 2009 City Council Agenda Items

ABSTRACT: Four noteworthy 3 February 2009 City Council Agenda items, namely the swearing-in of three new Firefighters, Mayor's Annual Report, Resolution authorizing an at-will employment agreement for a Community Event Planning Coordinator and Ordinance adopting the High Fire Hazard Severity Zone map, are presented. A SYNOPSIS, consisting of selected excerpts from each Agenda Item Summary and/or Staff Report, is presented for each agenda item. A COMMENT is made.

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
City Council AGENDA
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, February 3, 2009

IV. Extraordinary Business
B. Swearing-in of three new Firefighters: Graham Evans; Brian Harrington; and David Meurer.

V. Announcements from Closed Session, from City Council Members and the City Administrator.
B. Announcements from City Council members (Council members may ask a question for clarification, make a brief announcement or report on his or her activities)

1. Receive Mayor’s Annual Report

VII. Consent Calendar
These matters include routine financial and administrative actions, which are usually approved by a single majority vote. Individual items may be removed from Consent by a member of the Council or the public for discussion and action.

L. Consideration of a Resolution authorizing the City Administrator to execute an hourly, at-will employment agreement for the Community Event Planning Coordinator position with Robert Clovis in an amount not to exceed $20,000 per fiscal year.

SYNOPSIS:
Description: The hourly, at-will employee will plan, manage, promote and regulate City and non-City sponsored events and special promotions on public property on an as-needed basis. Other duties will include serving as community liaison and goodwill ambassador including recruiting, training, assigning and managing volunteers.

Overall Cost:
City Funds: $18 an hour, not to exceed $20,000 in a fiscal year.

Staff Recommendation: Adopt the Resolution.

Important Considerations: The City holds many community special events throughout the year. As there is no full-time employee to coordinate and manage these events, the City decided to enter into an at-will, hourly contract to provide these services as needed.

COMMENT:
• As the City has had a full-time manager “to plan and oversee the community’s special events,” why doesn’t the City hire a full-time city employee instead of an at-will, "as needed" individual for these services? Wouldn’t a full-time city employee be more suitable for serving as “community liaison and goodwill ambassador including recruiting, training, assigning and managing volunteers,” et cetera?

IX. Ordinances
D. Consideration of an Ordinance amending Carmel Municipal Code Section 15.08.010 to adopt the High Fire Hazard Severity Zone map for the City, as required by State Fire Marshal and Government Code Section 51179. (First reading)

SYNOPSIS:
Description: The State recently adopted amendments of Chapter 7A of the California Building Code, addressing materials and construction methods in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. The new code, which took effect July 1, 2008, requires all roofing and exterior walls for new buildings to be constructed of noncombustible materials. This requirement does not apply to remodels and/or additions -- only new buildings.

Staff Recommendation: Adopt the Ordinance.

Important Considerations: The purpose of the map is to identify properties that must comply with Chapter 7A of the California Building Code. This chapter establishes minimum standards for materials and material assemblies and provides a reasonable level of exterior wildfire exposure protection for buildings in high fire hazard areas.

BACKGROUND & DESCRIPTION
The State recently adopted amendments of Chapter 7A of the California Building Code that addresses materials and construction methods in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ). The new code, which took effect on July 1, 2008, requires all roofing and exterior walls for new buildings located in the VHFHSZ to be constructed of noncombustible materials. These requirements do not apply to remodel projects -- only new construction.

NONCOMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS
The purpose of the fire regulations is to retard the rate of spread, and reduce the potential intensity, of uncontrolled fires that threaten resources, life, or property. While siding materials such as untreated wood shingles, board and batten and horizontal shiplap will not be permitted in the VHFHSZ, the State maintains a list of noncombustible materials that comply with the ordinance, including properly treated wood siding products.

The noncombustible requirement, therefore, should not have a significant impact on community character, as the traditional range of acceptable siding products will still be available.

PROPERTIES IMPACTED
The VHFHSZ includes properties near the northern and eastern boundaries of the City and encompasses the following City blocks (see attached map):

Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in LRA
As Recommended by CAL FIRE