2007-03-20 Special CIC MinutesMINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY- -MARCH 20, 2007- -7:27 P.M.
Chair Johnson convened the Special Meeting at 7:49 p.m.
ROLL CALL – Present: Commissioners deHaan, Gilmore, Matarrese,
Tam, and Chair Johnson – 5.
Absent: None.
MINUTES
(07-006) Minutes of the Community Improvement Commission (CIC) and
Special Joint City Council, Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment
Authority (ARRA), and CIC Meetings held on February 20, 2007.
Approved.
Commissioner deHaan moved approval of the minutes.
Commissioner Tam seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous
voice vote – 5.
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
(07-007) Report on Alameda Theater, Cineplex, and Parking
Structure Project Construction update.
The Redevelopment Manager gave a brief presentation.
Chair Johnson inquired whether there would be an opportunity to add
items back, to which the Redevelopment Manager responded in the
affirmative.
Commissioner Matarrese inquired whether pictures [of the north side
garage design] would be provided in April, to which the
Redevelopment Manager responded in the affirmative.
The Redevelopment Manager continued the presentation.
Chair Johnson inquired whether the Cineplex construction schedule
would be provided in the next couple of months.
The Redevelopment Manager responded in the affirmative; stated
twelve months is a realistic schedule; Council would be informed of
any changes.
Commissioner deHaan inquired whether options and timelines have
been researched for the northern side of the parking garage.
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March 20, 2007
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The Redevelopment Manager responded options are being explored;
stated hard costs would be provided to Council at the second
meeting in April.
Commissioner deHaan inquired whether the parking garage is 25%
complete because the vast majority of the work went into the
foundation to which the Redevelopment Manager responded in the
affirmative; stated the foundation was a very expensive part of the
project.
Commissioner deHaan stated a twelve-month build out is scheduled
for the Cineplex.
The Redevelopment Manager stated the developer believes a twelve-
month build out is reasonable.
Commissioner deHaan stated the cineplex would coincide with other
construction if the schedule were compressed by a couple of months.
The Redevelopment Manager stated the desire is to make the schedule
shorter; twelve months is a realistic schedule.
Chair Johnson stated the Historic Theater could not open without
tenant improvements.
The Redevelopment Manager stated tenant improvements could happen
earlier; the garage could open by itself in December.
Robb Ratto, Park Street Business Association, thanked the
Commission for project support over the years.
Chair Johnson stated the Alameda Theater has been closed for
twenty-six years; a month or two is not going to make a difference.
AGENDA ITEM
(07-008) Public Hearing for the periodic review of the Five-year
Implementation Plan, Fiscal Years 2004-2005 through 2008-2009, for
the Business and Waterfront Improvement Project and the West End
Community Improvement Project.
The Housing Development Manager gave a brief Power Point
presentation.
Commissioner Tam stated the staff report references required
expenditures under existing pass-through agreements and capital
improvements for the Alameda Unified School District; requested an
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March 20, 2007
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explanation on how annual payments are made through the Education
Revenue Augmentation Fund (ERAF) and how the funding relates to
School District housing, i.e., the conversion of Island High
School.
The Housing Development Manager responded ERAF is State funding;
stated a portion of tax increment goes to the State to be
distributed to school districts; the capital improvement and
housing funds are a negotiated pass-through agreement; the housing
funds are being accessed for the development of Island High School;
she would need to verify whether capital improvement funds have
been accessed.
The Development Services Director stated two payments were required
by the State over the last few years; one large bulk payment was
made a few years ago; a decision was made to finance the second
payment of $770,000 and pay it over ten years; capital improvement
funding went to the School District for projects constructed over
the past year such as Ruby Bridges Elementary School and the park
and community building; the pass-through agreements reflect that
the School District negotiated for 20% of the money instead of 80%;
20% of all redevelopment money collected must be spent on low and
moderate income housing; the School District’s goal is to develop
affordable housing for teachers and employees; the City is banking
the funds for the School District; redevelopment housing money must
be used for affordable housing purposes.
Commissioner Tam inquired whether three separate pots of money are
set up for education from redevelopment districts, to which the
Development Services Director responded in the affirmative.
Commissioner deHaan inquired what was the payment two years ago.
The Development Services Director responded the last payment was
$470,000; stated the payment was over $1 million the year before.
Commissioner deHaan inquired whether the support was for Ruby
Bridges Elementary School infrastructure.
The Development Services Director responded the support was for
infrastructure, land, and predevelopment activity.
Commissioner deHaan stated the School District provided some
funding for the building through a Bond Measure.
The Development Services Director stated that she was not
suggesting that the City paid for everything; significant money was
contributed for infrastructure, site preparation, demolition, etc.
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March 20, 2007
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Commission deHaan requested information on the amount of money the
City contributed to the Ruby Bridges Elementary School
construction.
Mayor Johnson opened the public portion of the hearing.
Bill Smith, Alameda, stated the City should provide affordable
housing.
There being no further speakers, Mayor Johnson closed the public
portion of the hearing.
Commissioner Matarrese stated that the Business and Waterfront
Improvement Project and West End Community Improvement Project
unencumbered fund balances reflect 20% set-aside funds for housing;
requested information on the 80% unencumbered funds; discussions
are needed for funding other projects such as the Carnegie
building, new Fire House, and Webster Street Streetscape Phase II
project.
The Housing Development Manager stated the numbers in the report
reflect housing funds; State law is very prescriptive regarding the
type of information in the Implementation Plan.
Commissioner Matarrese stated that 80% of the picture is missing;
he would like to plan some other activities such as the Carnegie
interior renovation or Webster Street Streetscape completion;
inquired whether the matter should be placed on an agenda.
The Development Services Director responded the matter could be
addressed as part of the budget report, which is scheduled for May.
Commissioner deHaan requested that historical funding information
be provided.
Commissioner Matarrese stated that some generated funds would pay
the debt for completed projects; choices should be provided for the
80% unencumbered portion.
Commissioner deHaan inquired whether the lifespan for redevelopment
projects was 30 or 35 years.
The Development Services Director responded each project is
different; stated a 25 to 30 year lifespan is typical when a
redevelopment project area is originally adopted.
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March 20, 2007
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ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chair Johnson adjourned the
Special Meeting at 8:31 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger
Secretary
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown
Act.
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March 20, 2007
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