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2000-11-21 Special CIC MinutesMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY- -NOVEMBER 21, 2000- -7:25 P.M. Chair Appezzato convened the Special Meeting at 7:30 p.m. Boy Scout Troop No. 89 led the Pledge of Allegiance. Reverend David Borglum, Home of Truth Spiritual Center, gave the Invocation. ROLL CALL - Present: Absent: MINUTES Commissioners Daysog, DeWitt, Johnson and Chair Appezzato - 4. Commissioner Kerr - 1. (00-53) Minutes of the Special Joint City Council, Community Improvement Commission (CIC) and Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority (ARRA) Meetings (Closed Sessions) held on October 3, 2000, October 17, 2000, and November 2, 2000; the Special CIC Meeting held on October 3, 2000; and the Special Joint City Council and CIC Meeting (Closed Session) held on October 17, 2000. Approved. Commissioner DeWitt moved approval of the minutes. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 4. [Absent: Commissioner Kerr - 1.] AGENDA ITEM (00-54) Presentation of the Implementation Program for the Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP), Alameda Downtown Vision, and Housing Forum Recommendations. Commissioner Daysog stated that he had discussions with staff and the City Attorney regarding his employment with Applied Development Economics, a Berkeley-based economic development company, which contributed to the EDSP; the conclusion was there is not a conflict of interest with his involvement in EDSP discussions; if the public desires, a written report can be provided. The Development Services Manager stated the only action item is [Commission and Council) approval to send the EDSP, Downtown Vision, and Housing Forum recommendations to Board, Commissions, and other interested parties for comment and review; the matter will return to Council in February; staff has gone through a process of reviewing strategic items which is depicted in [staff report] Attachment 1; resource constraints were evaluated as a mid- year adjustment; important items were prioritized; the [staff report] attachments illustrate priority projects which are in progress; listed projects •n staff report Attachment 2; further stated the Economic Development Commission (EDC) has requested to Special Meeting Community Improvement Commission November 21, 2000 214 track the implementation program, specifically the EDSP and Downtown Vision, on a quarterly-basis in an open meeting format. Commissioner DeWitt stated EDSP goal #5 includes a citywide transportation system management program; there is discussion of a transportation master plan, which will take into consideration areas listed in EDSP goal #5, such as traffic limits; inquired whether a transportation master plan is in the works. The Public Works Director responded there are transportation components which will be folded into the General Plan; the General Plan transportation element will function as the Master Transportation Plan; the Public Transit Committee (PTC) is developing a long-range transit plan, which is one component that will feed into the General Plan's Transportation Element. Commissioner DeWitt requested clarification of page 4 of the staff report which addresses a super transportation commission called the Advisory Transportation Master Plan Committee. The Development Services Director stated the creation of a super transportation commission would overlap and duplicate efforts of existing boards and committees; staff recommends that authority to advise Council continue to reside with the Planning Board, Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) and PTC; EDSP Goal #5 includes establishment of the transportation master plan committee, however, staff believes there is sufficient input through existing boards. Commissioner Daysog stated the Planning Board Vice President Marie Gilmore raised the issue of access to- and from Alameda, e.g. new bridge or tube; there should be a strategy to deal with a new ingress/egress; the earlier there is a team to address the issue, the better. Commissioner Johnson stated the PTC is addressing the matter [new bridge or tube] in the Master Transit Plan. Chair Appezzato stated there is discussion of BART going into Jack London Square and other locations; at a recent BART meeting, someone raised the issue of a possible BART extension into Alameda. Commissioner DeWitt stated the City needs to take measures to get BART to Alameda; there are capabilities for a BART terminal at the former Naval Air Station; and there could be an extension to the Fruitvale area BART [in Oakland]. Commissioner Johnson stated other forms of light rail should be considered, too; BART Director Carol Ward Allen indicated the BART extension is a great idea, but it costs $100 Million per mile; all forms of feasible transit should be considered. Special Meeting Community Improvement Commission November 21, 2000 215 Chair Appezzato stated two major studies will be undertaken; one, which was requested by Senator Dianne Feinstein, is a new southern [Bay] crossing; he will co-chair a subcommittee at the Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC) to discuss the matter; the first meeting of the Ferry Transit Authority will be next month; people will begin to discuss the potential to expand ferry systems. Richard Neveln, Alameda, stated that as the Bay area grows, public transit must grow to meet needs; a transit commission should be formed; transit should be an integral part of all plans. Christopher Buckley, Alameda Architectural Preservation Society, stated design guidelines and revisions to the sign ordinance were included in the [Downtown Vision] plan; staff has indicated that pending the availability of staff and funds, design guidelines will be addressed between September 2001 to April 2002 and the sign ordinance would be addressed January 2002 to October 2002; if possible, said dates should be moved up, particularly because design guidelines should be prepared prior to the commercial building rehabilitation assistance program scheduled for June 2001. Moira Fossum, President, Chamber of Commerce, stated the Chamber supports the implementation programs presented by staff; a parking garage for downtown Alameda must be a top priority to ensure the success and survival of the business district; the Chamber supports the Housing Forum recommendation to initiate a process to selectively remove Measure A [1973] for redevelopment areas, such as Alameda Point; the Chamber also supports the creation of two new [City staff] positions. Tom Matthews, Chair, Renewed Hope, stated implementation of the Housing Forum recommendations is critical; suggested Council appoint a Follow-Up Task Force to regularly review the implementation of recommendations; stated said Task Force should also review the Ad Hoc Homeownership Committee recommendations. Chair Appezzato directed the City Manager to follow-up. Heather Heppner, Alameda, Housing Forum member, stated working class families are having to leave Alameda; staff positions have been allocated to implement the Housing Forum recommendations; members of the Housing Forum are willing to provide volunteer efforts, if it would be of assistance. Jon Spangler, Alameda, stated the • standards for historic preservation and restoration [design review guidelines] are not receiving a sufficient amount of funding and should be completed earlier; a new parking structure will not save Park Street, unless merchants agree to a new vision. Commissioner Daysog stated new staff are being considered to move Special Meeting Community Improvement Commission November 21, 2000 21 along a 40-acre mixed-income [housing] project at Alameda Point; concrete steps are being taken in the area of affordable housing. Commissioner Johnson stated the implementation plan will ensure the plan does not just end up on a shelf; there will be the quarterly follow-up meetings on implementation; inquired whether there are funding sources for the parking garage. The Development Services Director responded not at this time; there are many variables which must be considered prior to determining the preferred financing structure. Commissioner Johnson inquired whether a parking structure is vital for Park Street redevelopment. The Development Service Director responded a parking structure or additional parking solutions need to be addressed. Chair Appezzato stated a parking solution or structure is necessary as soon as possible. Commissioner Johnson stated the City should work with BART to create a park-and-ride to the Fruitvale station, which could be combined with a parking structure for the Park Street area. Commissioner Daysog stated people have expressed frustration with impacts of development, e.g. increased traffic congestion; the report includes a proposal for determining mitigation fees for infrastructure; any development externalities will be mitigated. Jim Franz, Chair, Housing Forum, reviewed the Housing Forum process and recommendations; stated Measure A is a barrier to the realization of the Housing Forum's goals; there should be an approach which combines the spirit of Measure A, preserving the make up of neighborhoods, and adds the opportunity to take creative steps in redevelopment areas, creating the needed housing stock; a plan should include market-rate housing stock and housing for business employees, teachers, seniors, disabled, and low- and moderate-income residents. John Abrate, Chair, Economic Development Commission (EDC), stated EDSP recommendations are being incorporated into the EDC into every agenda item; next January will be the first public quarterly follow-up. Chair Appezzato stated the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) is the agency which decides the fair share housing for every community in the Bay Area; the Council has the challenge of complying with the General Plan Housing Element; the City is required by law to complete a new Housing Element; ABAG determined Alameda's fair share is 2,162 new homes; he and the Planning Special Meeting Community Improvement Commission November 21, 2000 2/7 Director requested ABAG to reduce the number by 882 units; the City will appeal again; if the City does not take action to meet fair share goals, there could be lawsuits; the City is negotiating with housing advocates to make available housing for all income groups; in redevelopment zones, the State mandate is 15% [affordable housing]; the City only has 650 homes on the drawing board for East Housing and Marina Cove; additional homes at Alameda Point might be a possibility; hopefully, the City will get the fair share housing requirement reduced. Commissioner Johnson moved acceptance of staff recommendation [invite further comment from Board and Commissions regarding implementation of plans and direct staff to return the final implementation program in conjunction with mid-year budget adjustments]. Commissioner DeWitt seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 4. [Absent: Commissioner Kerr - 1.] ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chair Appezzato adjourned the Special Meeting at 8:27 p.m. ectfully submitted, D ne B. Felsch, CMC Secretary, Community Improvement Commission The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown Act. Special Meeting Community Improvement Commission November 21, 2000