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2007-05-15 Special CIC MinutesMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY- -MAY 15, 2007- -7:31 P.M. Chair Johnson convened the Special Meeting at 11:47 p.m. ROLL CALL - Present: Commissioners deHaan, Gilmore, Matarrese, Tam and Chair Johnson - 5. Absent: None. MINUTES (07 -017) Minutes of the Special Joint City Council and Community Improvement Commission (CIC) meeting and the Special CIC meeting held on April 17, 2007, and Special Joint City Council, Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority, and CIC meeting held on May 8, 2007. Commissioner Gilmore moved approval of the minutes. Commissioner deHaan seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. AGENDA ITEM (07 -018) Update on the Alameda Theater, Cineplex and Parking Structure Construction Project; (07 -018A) Recommendation to authorize staff to approve a Change Order for up to $100,000 for preserving and restoring the auditorium bas relief niches and ceiling; and (07 -018B) Recommendation to release $250,000 in project budgeted funds to Alameda Entertainment Associates, L.P. for Cineplex site work. (07 -019) Commissioner Matarrese moved approval of continuing the meeting past 12:00 midnight. Commissioner Tam seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. Commissioner Matarrese requested that photographs of the Historic Theater restoration be posted to the City's website. The Development Services Director gave a brief presentation. Special Meeting Community Improvement Commission 1 May 15, 2007 Chair Johnson inquired whether two action items are being considered tonight, to which the Development Services Director responded in the affirmative. Chair Johnson stated there would never be another opportunity to work on the entire ceiling; the work needs to be done; inquired whether 340 of the contingency budget would be used. The Development Services Director responded in the affirmative. Chair Johnson stated staff should come back to the Commission once there is a better idea of the amount of the contingency budget that will be used; money should not be left in the contingency budget; money should be spent on additional theater restoration; people thought only the lobby would be restored and will be happy to see the extent of the restoration; further stated the historic theater is being restored as a one screen theater; the screen will be one of the largest in the area. The Development Services Director stated the entire amount requested [$100,000] might not be used on the ceiling. Chair Johnson stated the maximum amount of work that can be done should be done while the scaffolding is up. The Development Services Director stated completing the entire ceiling should be around $80,000; keeping some of the historic paint features would cost less; further stated money should be left in the contingency budget at the end of the project for tenant improvements in the retail spaces. Chair Johnson inquired whether holes in the ceiling would be repaired, to which the Development Services Director responded in the affirmative. Commissioner deHaan stated that he was impressed with the art treatments that were uncovered; he would like to see the latest technology used on light fixtures; there will never be another opportunity to get back up in the ceiling; a lot of electricity would be used for individual light sockets; the matter should be reviewed with Alameda Power & Telecom (AP &T). The Development Services Director stated the matter could be reviewed very quickly; new technologies will adapt to old sockets; there is also the challenge between using the historic lighting versus modernizing it [lighting]. Special Meeting Community Improvement Commission 2 May 15, 2007 Commissioner deHaan stated as people walk into the theater, they will look directly at the concession area; it [lobby] is a beautiful area and people should not look at the concession area; he would like to see a dummy wall in front of that [concession area], which would allow people to walk around into the concession area; that he discussed the matter with the Project Manager; a simple wall would break it up so your eyes would have to go into the rest of the area [lobby]. The Development Services Director stated staff could explore the matter and bring it back to the Commission; that she would have to check with the historic architects because the lobby is being completed as a restoration. Commissioner deHaan stated what he is talking about is extremely simple. Chair Johnson questioned whether the lobby should be broken up. Commissioner deHaan stated there is a penetration going to the concession area now that was never there; he is requesting a dummy wall that people can walk around to get to the concession area; the popcorn machine would not be seen and would be buffered; the developer would understand what he is talking about. The Development Services Director stated the matter could be explored; there were conditions put on moving just door hinges. Chair Johnson stated the historic integrity of the lobby should not be disturbed. Commissioner deHaan stated it is not coming close to that; further stated $250,000 was allocated for hazardous materials and site conditions; inquired whether there was a loan for the elevator and escalators. The Development Services Director responded in the affirmative. Councilmember deHaan inquired whether the amount being allocated was being taken from contingency. The Development Services Director responded the exact cost of the site work was now known; stated the developer has spent in excess of the amount; the City did a fine job of crafting the Disposition and Development Agreement; the City capped its exposure. Robb Ratto, Park Street Business Association Executive Director, Special Meeting Community Improvement Commission 3 May 15, 2007 urged approval of the staff recommendations; stated perhaps $150,000 should be allocated for the ceiling to provide additional flexibility. Chair Johnson inquired whether $100,000 is sufficient, to which the Development Services Director responded in the affirmative. Commissioner deHaan inquired what is being done with the Fox Theater, to which the Development Services Director responded it would be used for educational purposes. Commissioner Matarrese moved approval of the staff recommendations with direction that as much restoration work be done as possible in the historic theater so that the project does not end with money left in the contingency budget. Commissioner Tam seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chair Johnson adjourned the Special Meeting at 12:18 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Lara Weisiger Secretary The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown Act. Special Meeting Community Improvement Commission 4 May 15, 2007