2005-05-03 Joint CC CIC MinutesMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND
COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY - - - MAY 3, 2005 - - - 7:25 P.M.
Mayor/Chair Johnson convened the Special Joint meeting at 8:08 p.m.
Councilmember/Commissioner Matarrese led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers/Commissioners Daysog,
deHaan, Gilmore, Matarrese, and
Mayor/Chair Johnson – 5.
Absent: None.
MINUTES
(05-193CC/05-020CIC) Minutes of the Special Joint City Council and
Community Improvement Commission Meeting held on April 19, 2005.
Approved.
Councilmember/Commissioner Daysog moved approval of the minutes.
Councilmember/Commissioner deHaan seconded the motion, which
carried by unanimous voice vote – 5.
AGENDA ITEMS
(05-194CC/05-021CIC) Joint Public Hearing to consider authorizing
the City Manager/Executive Director to enter into a Disposition and
Development Agreement with Alameda Entertainment Associates, L.P.,
approval of the 33433 Report, and adoption of a Mitigated Negative
Declaration for the Alameda Theater, Cineplex and Parking Structure
Project (State Clearinghouse #2004-122-042);
(05-194A/CC) Resolution No. 13834, “Approving and Authorizing
Execution of a Disposition and Development Agreement Between the
Community Improvement Commission and Alameda Entertainment
Associates, L.P., and Adopting a Mitigated Negative Declaration and
Mitigation Monitoring Program.” Adopted; and
(05-021A/CIC) Resolution No. 05-134, “Approving and Authorizing
Execution of a Disposition and Development Agreement Between the
Community Improvement Commission and Alameda Entertainment
Associates, L.P., Approving Certain Mitigation Measures for the
Project, and Adopting a Mitigation Monitoring Program.” Adopted.
The Business Development Division Manager gave a Power Point
presentation.
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Alameda City Council and Community Improvement Commission
May 3, 2005
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The Development Services Director provided a brief update on the
project.
Councilmember/Commissioner deHaan inquired about the traffic
remediation requirements.
The Development Services Director responded there was one major
traffic improvement to upgrade a signal at Santa Clara Avenue and
Oak Street; there are struggles with traffic improvements at the
intersection; modifications need to be made to all of the equipment
at the intersection because the equipment is old; the estimate to
do the work is about $100,000; the design plan will provide a nice
public environment to half the block of Oak Street by extending the
public sidewalk from eight feet to fourteen feet and providing
garage and theatre outside lighting to accommodate people, cars and
bicycles entering and exiting the garage.
Councilmember/Commissioner deHaan inquired whether determining the
scope is an on-going process, to which the Development Services
Director responded in the affirmative.
Mayor/Chair Johnson opened the public portion of the Hearing.
Proponents: Christopher Buckley, Alameda Architectural Preservation
Society; Susan Decker, Alameda; Lars Hanson, Park Street Business
Association (PSBA); Pauline Kelly; Barbara Marchand, Alameda Civic
Light Opera; Cathy Leong, Alameda Chamber of Commerce; Mike
Corbett, Harsch Investments; and Robb Ratto, PSBA.
Opponents: Gary McAfee, Alameda; Jennifer Van Airsdale, Alameda;
Joan Steber, Alameda; John McNulty, Alameda; John F. Ruake; Zach
Kaplan, Alameda; and Lucy Gigli, Bike Alameda (submitted handout).
Expressed concern with bike safety on Central Avenue between Oak
and Walnut Streets: Robert Van de Walle, Alameda; Andy Cutright,
Alameda; Alameda; Jon Spangler, Alameda; Mark Haskett; and Jillian
Saxty, Alameda.
There being no further speakers, Mayor/Chair Johnson closed the
public portion of the Hearing.
Councilmember/Commissioner deHaan stated that the Council should
follow through with the commitment to reconfigure the parking [on
Central Avenue between Oak and Walnut Streets] to the original
parallel state at the former historic Alameda High School.
The Acting City Manager stated that the need for diagonal parking
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was created because of the new gymnasium, City Hall moving into the
east wing of the high school, and the Library moving into the
middle wing of the high school; parking was increased from 32
spaces to 58 spaces; Council approved an ordinance modification for
diagonal parking; the Recreation and Park Department is the only
part of City Hall remaining in the east wing and will be moving out
within a month; the Library is projected to move out within 17 or
18 months; much of the parking demand will be eliminated; the
parking garage construction provides an opportunity to move back to
parallel parking; a parking plan would need to be brought back to
Council for approval.
Vice Mayor/Commissioner Gilmore stated that she has great sympathy
for bicyclists; a large segment of the youth population will either
ride bikes or take the bus to the theatre.
Councilmember/Commissioner deHaan stated the dollar value of
parking spaces is understood now.
Mayor/Chair Johnson stated that the parking structure would solve a
lot of the parking problems.
Councilmember/Commissioner Daysog stated that the project is good
for all of Alameda, especially the youth.
Councilmember/Commissioner Matarrese stated the theatre project is
important for the whole City; dollars would be kept in town; the
historic theatre will rot if the project does not move forward.
Vice Mayor Gilmore moved adoption of the Resolution Approving and
Authorizing Execution of a Disposition and Development Agreement
Between the Community Improvement Commission and Alameda
Entertainment Associates, L.P., and Adopting a Mitigated Negative
Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Program [paragraph no. 05-
194CC].
Councilmember deHaan seconded the motion, which carried by
unanimous voice vote – 5.
Commissioner Matarrese moved adoption of the Resolution Approving
and Authorizing Execution of a Disposition and Development
Agreement Between the Community Improvement Commission and Alameda
Entertainment Associates, L.P., Approving Certain Mitigation
Measures for the Project, and Adopting a Mitigation Monitoring
Program [paragraph no. 05-021CC].
Commissioner deHaan seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous
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May 3, 2005
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voice vote – 5.
Mayor/Chair Johnson directed staff to bring the Central Avenue bike
lane issue back to Council.
(05-022CIC) Resolution No. 05-135, “Approving and Authorizing
Payment of Certain Public Improvements to the Park Street and Otis
Drive Intersection.” Adopted; and
(05-195CC) Resolution No. 13835, “Approving and Authorizing
Execution of a Public Improvements Construction Agreement Between
the City and Harsch Investment Corporation.” Adopted.
Councilmember/Commissioner Matarrese stated the project is critical
to Alameda’s economic engine.
Councilmember/Commissioner Matarrese moved adoption of the
resolutions.
Councilmember/Commissioner Daysog seconded the motion.
Under discussion, Councilmember/Commissioner deHaan inquired what
type of funding would be used.
The Development Services Director responded that staff recommends
using Community Improvement Commission funds for the project; the
primary benefit finding is required because the intersection is
just outside the formal boundaries of a redevelopment project area;
the improvements are tied to the form and function of the rest of
the redevelopment project area; Redevelopment Law has a provision
that recognizes that there are projects that may be outside the
boundaries which are a primary benefit to the function of the rest
of the project area.
Councilmember/Commissioner deHaan inquired whether other funding
sources were considered.
The Development Services Director responded that there was a
discussion about using some sales tax dollars from the new South
Shore Shopping Center development.
Councilmember/Commissioner deHaan inquired how the two-third, one-
third cost sharing was derived.
The Development Services Director responded that the formula was a
result of negotiations with the developer; there was a dispute over
the assignment of the impact of the intersection; the developer
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felt that he should not be responsible for making all the
improvements to the intersection; traffic modeling shows that there
are other background projects not yet developed, but approved,
which would also impact the intersection; the negotiation used the
actual number of trips coming off the project and the impact on the
intersection.
Councilmember/Commission deHaan stated that there might be further
requirements for further entitlements; inquired what the affect
would be on the traffic remediation.
The Development Services Director responded that the entitlements
received for the project anticipate 112,000 square feet of new
retail square footage at the South Shore Shopping Center and would
likely increase; circulation issues related to the gas station
would need to be examined independently; additional improvements
can always be made; a need for further improvements is anticipated
by 2020.
Councilmember/Commissioner deHaan stated that he was concerned that
the same [redevelopment] funds are being used for many issues;
inquired whether there is a detailed breakdown of where
redevelopment funding stands.
The Development Services Director responded that there are
sufficient funds; anticipated improvements can be made with
existing tax increments and not bonds.
The Acting City Manager stated that at the next meeting staff would
provide a Community Improvement Commission multi-year budget to
show how much money remains.
Councilmember/Commissioner Matarrese stated the project is very
important; the rationale and logic fits into the true meaning of
redevelopment; that he defends the approach of taking redevelopment
funds for the Library project; his motion to adopt the resolutions
stands.
Councilmember/Commissioner Daysog stated the investment is
necessary if the money means that the City would have stores such
as Borders or Chicos.
Mayor/Chair Johnson stated that the City needs to be frugal with
redevelopment money but also needs to use the money wisely; moving
forward with projects that help continue the redevelopment and
revitalization of Alameda business areas is an appropriate use of
funds.
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May 3, 2005
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Councilmember/Commissioner deHaan stated that he is comfortable
with delaying other major retail developments to allow South Shore
Shopping Center to mature; he supports and looks forward to the
renewed Center, but has concerns with funding.
Commissioner Matarrese moved adoption of the Resolution Approving
and Authorizing Payment of Certain Public Improvements to the Park
Street and Otis Drive Intersection [paragraph no. 05-022CIC].
Commissioner deHaan seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous
voice vote – 5.
Councilmember Matarrese moved adoption of the Resolution Approving
and Authorizing Execution of a Public Improvements Construction
Agreement Between the City and Harsch Investment Corporation
[paragraph no. 05-195CC].
Councilmember Daysog seconded the motion, which carried by
unanimous voice vote – 5.
(05-023CIC) Recommendation to approve an Amended Contract with
Architectural Resources Group, Inc., by increasing the Contract
amount an additional $44,275 to provide additional pre-planning
services for the proposed Alameda Theatre Project.
Commissioner Daysog moved approval of the staff recommendation.
Commissioner deHaan seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous
voice vote – 5.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor/Chair Johnson adjourned the
Special Meeting at 9:28 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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May 3, 2005
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