Tuesday, June 27, 2006

The council approved a zoning plan for development along Knox Freeway and Cutting Boulevard that includes buffer zones between different types of uses. The vote was 7-2, with McLaughlin and Butt voting no.

A proposal to have the Fire Chief explore coordinating services with other West County cities was voted down. The council rejected sharing resources, equipment, or response duties with neighboring fire departments.

The council approved a $57,000 contract with Contra Costa County for pedestrian safety programs. The funding will support crosswalk improvements and education campaigns, with Griffin absent from the vote.

The council endorsed Senate Bill 148, which would allow cities to set deadlines for problem liquor stores that become zoning violations. The bill would help cities phase out stores that no longer fit their neighborhoods when zoning changes.

The council approved 1 routine item on consent, including joining a state program to share business tax data with the Franchise Tax Board. The council also set the city's legal spending limit under the state constitution and adopted the annual operating budget for 2006-2007.