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.
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Community Improvement Commission May 15, 2007
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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 34% 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].
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Community Improvement Commission May 15, 2007
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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,
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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.
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Community Improvement Commission May 15, 2007
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