2003-12-02 Joint CC CIC MinutesMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND
COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY - - - DECEMBER 2, 2003 - - - 7:25 P.M.
Mayor /Chair Johnson convened the Special Joint meeting at 7:26 p.m.
Councilmember /Commissioner Kerr led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers /Commissioners Daysog,
Gilmore, Kerr, Matarrese and
Mayor /Chair Johnson - 5.
Absent: None.
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(03- 552CC/03- 072CIC) Minutes of the Special Joint City Council,
Community Improvement Commission and Alameda Reuse and
Redevelopment Authority Meeting held on November 12, 2003.
Approved.
Vice Mayor /Commissioner Daysog moved approval of the minutes.
Councilmember /Commissioner Gilmore seconded the motion, which
carried by unanimous voice vote - 5.
AGENDA ITEMS
(03- 553CC/03- 073CIC) Public Hearing to consider authorizing the
City Manager/ Executive Director to enter into a Disposition and
Development Agreement with Regency Realty Group for the
redevelopment of the Bridgeside Shopping Center;
(03- 553A -CC) Resolution No. 13666, "Approving and Authorizing the
Execution of a Disposition and Development Agreement between the
Community Improvement Commission and Regency Realty Group, Inc.,
and Approving Certain Mitigation Measures for the Project."
Adopted.
(03- 073A -CIC) Resolution No. 03 -122, "Approving and Authorizing
the Execution of a Disposition and Development Agreement between
the Community Improvement Commission and Regency Realty Group,
Inc.; Approving Regency's Financing Plans and Basic Concept
Drawings for the Project; and Approving and Certifying a Mitigated
Negative Declaration and Certain Mitigation Measures for the
Project." Adopted.
The Development Services Director stated community engagement
forums indicated the neighborhood wants the shopping center
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revitalized with a quality grocery store; noted a key objective of
the Economic Development Strategic Plan was to provide newly
enhanced community -level shopping opportunities; the project takes
advantage of its waterfront location; in July, allocated $6.25
million to acquire the Bridgeside Center and within 90 days the
City will recoup its investment.
Doug Weely, Foothill Partners, noted that the Bridgeside Center was
functionally obsolete on the day it opened due to dramatic changes
in the grocery and drug store industries; stated that he is pleased
to restore the site to neighborhood retail and encouraged by the
financial backing of Regency Centers.
Tom Engburg, Regency Centers, outlined Regency's investment
strategy of acquisition and development; stated all centers are
built with cash, not third party financing; Regency is ready to
close as soon as the DDA is executed by the City and plans to close
escrow in the third week of December.
Mayor /Chair Johnson opened the Public Hearing.
Proponents:
Bob Kelly, Economic Development Commission;
Rod Smith, Alameda;
Gwen Pirack, Alameda;
Dave Needle, Fernside Homeowners Association; and
Jon Spangler, Bike Alameda.
Opponents:
None.
There being no further speakers, Mayor /Chair Johnson closed the
public portion of the hearing.
Councilmember /Commissioner Kerr stated there is a retail building
between the gas station and Tilden Way; there should be no visual
impact to residents across Tilden Way; there is a lot of
landscaping between the gas station and Blanding Avenue; stated
that she was happy to see that retail businesses will be water -
oriented; noted the only water - oriented business at the former
Bridgeside Center was a pizza establishment.
Councilmember /Commissioner Matarrese requested that the City
Manager /Executive Director respond to the request made by Dave
Needle regarding design input.
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December 2, 2003
The City Manager /Executive Director stated the City works to engage
the community in a variety of ways; citizens have been involved
with project teams and past experience can be reviewed as a model.
Councilmember /Commissioner Matarrese stated that he is pleased to
turn the property over and free up the money invested; noted that
in 1998 -99, the EDC recommended that the Bridgeside Center be
treated as a blight; the Center is meeting two goals of the
Economic Development Strategic Plan; Nob Hill Foods is a very good
tenant.
Councilmember /Commissioner Matarrese moved adoption of the
resolutions.
Councilmember /Commissioner Kerr seconded the motion.
Under discussion, Mayor /Chair Johnson stated the Bridgeside
Shopping Center is an important project for community; noted the
Center will provide amenities to the community needs; stated aside
from generating additional revenues for the City, the primary goal
is to provide a Center which the community needs.
City Attorney /Legal Counsel clarified the motion was on behalf of
both the City Council and CIC.
Vice Mayor /Commissioner Daysog stated the project will be a
community asset; noted that the project is both a source of
economic revitalization and an opportunity to beautify Alameda.
Councilmember /Commissioner Matarrese stated the motion includes the
recommendation that the City approve the Mitigated Negative
Declaration for the DDA and approve and authorize the Executive
Director to execute the DDA with Regency Realty Group.
On the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice
vote - 5.
(03- 554CC/03- 074CIC) Recommendation to authorize the City
Manager /Executive Director to negotiate and execute a Contract with
Architectural Resources Group for preliminary planning of the
Alameda Theater Historic Rehabilitation Project.
Robb Ratto, Park Street Business Association (PSBR), stated that
PSBR supports the recommendation; at PSBA's Design Committee
meeting, Chris Buckley of the Alameda Architecture Preservation
Society characterized Architectural Resources Group as the best
firm in the country for the project; urged approval of the staff
recommendation.
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Councilmember /Commissioner Matarrese thanked staff; noted that the
main desire of everyone attending the Economic Development
Strategic Plan workshops was to have the Alameda Theater reopened
as a movie theatre.
Councilmember /Commissioner Matarrese moved approval of the staff
recommendation.
Councilmember /Commissioner Gilmore seconded the motion.
Under discussion Mayor /Chair Johnson requested that City
Manager /Executive Director schedule a briefing for the Council on
the parking structure issue; requested that Council receive
frequent updates regarding the plans; noted the importance of the
project; stated that she will be interested in the restoration;
commented that many people in Alameda have not been in the theatre
and do not realize its beauty.
On the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice
vote - 5.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor /Chair Johnson adjourned the
Special Joint Meeting at 8:17 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lara Weisiger
City Clerk
Secretary, Community Improvement
Commission
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown
Act.
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