1997-07-15 Special CIC MinutesSPECIAL COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY- -JULY 15, 1997- -7:10 P.M.
ROLL CALL:
288
PRESENT: Commissioners Daysog, Kerr,
Lucas, Vice Chair DeWitt, and
Chair Appezzato - 5.
ABSENT: None.
Chair Appezzato convened the Special Community Improvement
Commission Meeting at 7:10 p.m. and adjourned the meeting to a
Closed Session to address the following:
(97-023) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
(54956.9)
Name of Case: Community Improvement Commission v.
Southern Pacific (Case #778730-0).
Following the Closed Session, Chair Appezzato announced
instructions were given to the City Attorney on resolving this
eminent domain action.
There being no further business before the Commission, Chair
Appezzato adjourned the Special Meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane B. Felsch, CMC
Secretary, Community Improvement
Commission
The Agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown
Act.
Special Meeting
Alameda Community Improvement Commission
July 15, 1997
289
SPECIAL COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY- -JULY 15, 1997- -7:25 P.M.
Chair Appezzato called the meeting to order at 8:48 p.m.
ROLL CALL - PRESENT: Commissioners Daysog, DeWitt, Kerr, Lucas
and Chair Appezzato - 5.
ABSENT: None.
Commissioner Lucas led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Reverend Clark Flesher, First Baptist Church, gave the invocation.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS
(97-024) Report from Community Development Director recommending
approval of CIC Budget for FY 1997-98.
Commissioner Lucas stated an inventory of large under-utilized
properties should be provided periodically to the Commission.
Vice Chair DeWitt stated the Community Development Department
should do advance planning and provide ideas on what can be done
with properties.
Vice Chair DeWitt moved approval of budget pending discussion on
the Park Street matter [paragraph number: 97-025], and direction to
staff to schedule a workshop in six months.
Commissioner Lucas seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous
voice vote - 5.
Chair Appezzato stated if any critical matters occur before the
workshop, staff should report back to the Commission.
(97-025) Report from Community Development Director concerning the
Alameda Theater Feasibility Study.
Chair Appezzato stated that he does not have any problem with a
Request for Proposal (RFP), however, he wants to know where the
$400,000 will come from and what could suffer if the funds are
committed to a three-screen theater or retail establishment; if
there is $400,000 for a parking structure and parking is not needed
for a retail or three-screen theater, maybe those funds could be
used, if the Commission and the community get behind it.
Commissioner Lucas stated a decision is needed from Park Street
Special Meeting
Alameda Community Improvement Commission
July 15, 1997
29O
merchants on either a movie theater or parking.
Chair Appezzato stated the question of what is going to be the
security, if any, for a commitment of City financial sponsorship
should be answered.
Commissioner Kerr stated that she will not support a RFP until an
acceptable funding source is identified.
Chair Appezzato stated identification of funding could be the first
step, and that the second step could be the security question.
Commissioner Lucas stated the Commission should direct staff to
report back on financing.
Chair Appezzato stated staff should report back on financing a
catalyst project in the Business Waterfront Improvement Project
(BWIP) Area; and that said financing should be aimed at
resurrecting the Alameda Theater, or something similar.
Commissioner Kerr stated the West End must be considered also if
the City is going to use BWIP funds.
Chair Appezzato stated that he believes the closure of the Tube has
been delayed two years, and that Public Works should check on the
matter and inform everyone.
Vice Chair DeWitt moved that the Commission direct staff to explore
financial options.
Commissioner Lucas seconded the motion.
Under discussion, and in response to Commissioner Kerr,
Commissioner DeWitt stated that the motion did not include a RFP.
On the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice
vote - 5.
(97-026) Report from the Community Development Director regarding
Auto Row.
In response to Commissioner Lucas's inquiry regarding a traffic
circle proposed at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Tilden
Park, the Community Development Director stated the traffic circle
would be addressed after determinations were made on the
implementation of the Pedestrian Safety Study on Park Street.
Commissioner Lucas stated the idea of a traffic circle was to
separate the retail district from the Auto Row district; it is an
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July 15, 1997
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item that will add greatly to Park Street; and that the matter
should be addressed in the near future.
Commissioner Lucas further commented that staff should report to
the Commission in 60 days on the cost of, and financing for, the
traffic circle.
Chair Appezzato stated Tilden Way is an excellent example of
improvements in the community; the area of Park Street is moving
forward, including original colors, decor and architecture; and
with the help of the Park Street Business Association and Chamber
of Commerce, many improvements are taking place.
Vice Chair DeWitt moved acceptance of the Report.
Commissioner Lucas seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous
voice vote - 5.
* * *
Chair Appezzato called a recess and reconvened the meeting at 10:48
p.m.
* * *
(97-027) Status Report from Community Development Director
regarding the FISC Developer Selection Process.
Jim Musbach, Economic and Planning Systems, Berkeley, gave a brief
status report on the Selection Process.
Chair Appezzato stated the risk has to be worth the return; the
City should participate in future land appreciation; density is a
concern; that tax increment financing infrastructure is a concern;
that end-users paying some, if not all, of the infrastructure
should be looked at; that he opposes leasing the land; and he
supports public access to the shoreline. He further commented that
the major issues in the near future are density, site
configuration, infrastructure financing, east housing disposition,
disposition of the roadways, and School District acreage.
Commissioner Kerr stated housing in the area should include the
highest possible discretionary income; base closure is the major
impact taking Webster Street down; planning for East Housing should
be integrated into planning for FISC housing; Minutes of the Ad
Hoc Committee Meetings should be provided to the Commissioners; and
that the City should learn from its mistakes with the Atlantic
Avenue - Webster Street negotiations [Browman Development], and
incorporate that learning process into the FISC negotiations.
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Commissioner Daysog stated a critical mass of a particular income
bracket for development of the residential neighborhoods should be
generated, in order to revitalize parts of Alameda; and that the
developers should look at market fluctuations and provide
conservative guidance and fair returns.
Commissioner DeWitt stated in the future flexibility should be
exercised when dealing with certain matters; there will be a number
of changes in regard to how much land will be available and when;
there should be a group to address Coast Guard housing which could
become a part of the development; and that flexibility is important
to him.
Commissioner Lucas stated that, in addition to the aforementioned
comments, she is concerned with the quality of design; there should
be full advantage taken of the site, and in particular the water
views; she agrees that there may have to be some flexibility and
the possibility of changes, residential to commercial, depending
upon the needs and the economic situation; and that quality of
design will be important to attracting quality families to the
community.
Commissioner Lucas moved acceptance of the report.
Commissioner Kerr seconded the motion.
Under discussion, Chair Appezzato stated the location of Alameda
will be a selling point, and that he believes the development will
be successful.
On the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice
vote - 5.
There being no further business before the Commission, Chair
Appezzato adjourned the meeting at 11:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane B. Felsch, CMC
Secretary, Community Improvement
Commission
The Agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown
Act.
Special Meeting
Alameda Community Improvement Commission
July 15, 1997