1996-11-06 ARRA Minutes APPROVED
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
ALAMEDA REUSE AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Wednesday, November 6, 1996
The meeting convened at 5:38 p.m. with Chair Appezzato presiding.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Ralph Appezzato, Mayor, City of Alameda;
Roberta Brooks, Alternate to Vice-Chair Sandré Swanson, District Director, 9th
Congressional District;
Mark Friedman, Alternate to Wilma Chan, Alameda County Board of Supervisors,
District 3;
Kathy Ornelas, Alternate to Ellen Corbett, Mayor, City of San Leandro;
Albert DeWitt (arrived at 5:46 p.m.), Councilmember, City of Alameda;
Greg Alves, Alternate to Karin Lucas, Councilmember, City of Alameda;
Tony Daysog, Alternate to "Lil"Arnerich, Councilmember, City of Alameda;
Helen Sause, Alternate to Lee Perez, Ex-officio, Base Reuse Advisory Group;
Berresford Bingham, Ex-officio, Alameda Unified School District.
Absent: Jay Leonhardy, Alternate to Henry Chang, Jr., Councilmember, City of Oakland
Resigned: Charles Mannix, Councilmember, City of Alameda
Chair Appezzato congratulated Al DeWitt, Barbara Kerr, and Tony Daysog on winning election to
the Alameda City Council. He also applauded Greg Alves for his effective campaign, inviting him to
run again in two years.
CONSENT CALENDAR
2-A. Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 2, 1996.
Alternate Alves moved approval of the Consent Calendar. Alternate Friedman seconded the
motion, which carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: 6. Noes: 0. Abstain: 0. Absent: 2 -
(DeWitt arrived subsequent to the vote].
ACTION ITEMS
3-B. Report from the Executive Director Recommending the ARRA Establish Priorities for a
Grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA)
for the Alameda Naval Air Station and Authorize the Executive Director to Proceed with the
Application.
Executive Director Miller stated that priority setting was done with City and ARRA staff, taking
match into account. Chair Appezzato stated that one priority is the Mitchell-Mosely road extension
to make the FISC site accessible in support of redevelopment; another priority is a discretionary pool
of money to upgrade NAS buildings that are slated for long-term use in order to attract tenants and
begin cashflow. The funding priorities also include the implementation phase of ACET (Alameda
Center for Environmental Technologies). After a short discussion and questions from the governing
body, and receiving no public comment, the vote was held. Alternate Alves moved approval of
item 3-B. Member DeWitt seconded the motion, which carried unanimously: Ayes: 7. Noes: 0.
Abstain: 0. Absent: 1.
2-A
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3-C. Recommendation by the Base Reuse Advisory Group (BRAG) for a Bylaw Change to
Create Vice-Chair and Member-at-Large Positions. Executive Director Miller stated that the
BRAG was originally created by nominations made by various constituency groups such as the
Planning Commission, Economic Development Commission, Recreation and Parks, the Alameda
Unified School District, etc. to provide a representative advisory committee to the base reuse
process. Helen Sause, appointed by the Economic Development Commission (EDC), has served
unofficially as the Vice-Chair of the BRAG. Her term as Chair of the EDC has expired and the
BRAG is requesting a new position as Vice-Chair be created (which will necessitate a bylaw change)
and Ms. Sause be appointed. In addition, Doug deHaan has been serving unofficially as an Ex-
officio member of the BRAG and the BRAG is asking that a position be created for Member-at-
Large and Doug deHaan be appointed to that position.
Alternate Friedman moved approval of the recommended Bylaw changes. Alternate Daysog
seconded the motion. Chair Appezzato suggested that, since Doug deHaan has been appointed to
the EDC and the EDC will be appointing a representative to the BRAG to fill Helen Sause’s
position, he seek that position. Chair Appezzato asked Mr. deHaan if that was acceptable and Mr.
deHaan indicated that it was. The Chair then suggested the governing body wait to see what action
the EDC takes. Alternate Brooks stated that decisions to add positions should be made in the
abstract and not person-specific. If a Member-at-Large position is needed then it should be created
whether or not Mr. deHaan is appointed by the EDC. Mr. Alves thought the number of BRAG
members should be 13 for tie-breaking purposes. Executive Director Miller stated that the practice
of Chair Lee Perez is not to vote except to break a tie. Chair Appezzato suggested the motion be
amended to create the position of Vice-Chair and appoint Helen Sause; create the position of
Member-at-Large; and wait to see whom the EDC appoints to fill their vacant BRAG position. In
that way, the position of Member-at-Large is not member-specific. Alternate Alves asked that the
vote on the Member-at-Large position be put off until the BRAG could address whether they want to
increase to 13 voting members. Doug deHaan suggested the ARRA vote on the Vice-Chair position
and delay the vote on the Member-at-Large position until the BRAG could address the issue.
Alternate Friedman modified his motion to vote on the appointment of Helen Sause to a newly
created Vice-Chair position and delay the vote on the Member-at-Large position. The
modified motion was seconded by Alternate Daysog and carried unanimously: Ayes: 7. Noes:
0. Abstain: 0. Absent: 1.
ORAL REPORTS
4-D. Report from Peter Sun, Ph.D., Pan Pacific University on Progress Toward Fundraising
Milestone Goals. Chair Appezzato announced that item 4-D had been held over.
4-E. Report and Recommendations on the Housing Market Analysis from Janet Smith-Heimer
of Bay Area Economics (BAE).
Janet Smith-Heimer, principal of Bay Area Economics, gave an overview of the NAS housing study,
including its purpose and scope, the City of Alameda demographics, financial analysis, existing
housing conditions, needed improvements and their cost, residual value, and phasing.
Speakers:
Bill Smith, Virtual Agile Manufacturing, spoke in favor of employing disabled and homeless
persons and informing them of the government projects and programs that are available.
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Floyd Hibbitts, real estate appraiser, asked questions about parking and suggested that garages be
provided rather than carports.
4-F. Status Report on the Utilities Study by Juanito Jamias of Moffatt & Nichol Engineers.
Juanito Jamias reported that the study was broken down into the following phases: Phase 1 of the
study—preliminary investigation of each system; Phase 2—initial assessment and field studies;
Phase 3—master plan; and, Phase 4—operating plan. The following interim and long-range costs are
estimated: Storm Drainage System, $17.31 million interim/$24.53 million long-range; Sanitary
Sewer System, $6.4 million interim/$15.8 million long-range; Potable Water & Fire Protection
Sprinkler System, $7.9 million interim/$3.0 million long-range; Electric Power System, $10.50
million interim/$7.46 million long-range. Costs are not yet available for the Gas System
improvements. After questions and comments from the ARRA governing body, the issue was
opened for public comment.
Speakers:
Jim Guthrie, a consultant for BA Properties, asked if these upgrades will delay the occupation of the
housing. Executive Director Miller answered that the occupation of housing would not be delayed
because utility systems can be used as is during the interim.
4-G. Status Report on the Building Upgrade and Demolition Study by Allan Brochier of the
Onyx Group. Allan Brochier reported that the purpose of the study is to provide recommendations
and cost estimates for required safety, ADA, and disabled access upgrades as well as cost estimates
for the demolition of the buildings with no interim reuse potential. Their end product includes
specifications and a scope of work to be distributed to contractors for the RFP process. This package
would be provided to EDA for funding of building upgrades. The cost estimates will also be used to
provide input for the other cost analyses at NAS being conducted by EPS. Mr. Brochier then
described the process followed and their preliminary findings.
On behalf of Karin Lucas, Alternate Alves asked if the power was going to go off at the Naval Air
Museum at the end of November. Norma Bishop, Base Transition Coordinator, reported that the
C.O., Captain Dodge, would not store the artifacts in a condition in which they would deteriorate.
Speakers:
Bill Smith, Virtual Agile Manufacturing, addressed the issue of earthquake safety and the possibility
of a 7.3 earthquake.
4-H. Oral Report from the BRAG Updating the ARRA on Current Activities. Helen Sause,
BRAG Vice-Chair, reported that in addition to its normal work and meetings, the BRAG is currently
continuing to analyze many issues, including retaining the commissary, park and recreation uses, the
possibility of a limited use airfield for interim-use, and housing. She announced a Town Hall
meeting was scheduled for November 13 from 7–9:00 p.m. at Historic AHS Cafeteria to provide an
interim report to the community on where we are, what is happening, and where it all fits. Diane
Lichtenstein, Chair of the Community Involvement Working Group, outlined the major issues that
will be addressed at the Town Hall meeting; namely, the Wildlife Refuge, parks and recreation,
environmental cleanup, a limited use airfield, housing issues, and the leasing status. In addition,
there will be discussion on the BCDC and port designation, redevelopment, demolition upgrades, the
utility study, FISC development, marketing materials, the Public Trust, and a visual demonstration of
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the BRAG web site. Helen Sause then thanked everyone for creating the Vice-Chair position and
appointing her to fill the position.
4-I. Oral Report from the Executive Director Updating the ARRA. Executive Director Miller
reported that we expect to have an answer from the Navy and the Fish & Wildlife Service on the size
of the Wildlife Refuge sometime next week; an appraiser should be onboard week after next for the
Public Trust appraisal; Catellus, Lincoln Properties, and the Martin Group are the developer teams
picked as finalists for the FISC site development; the Developer’s Panel will hold a public session on
Friday, November 22 from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 noon to present their reactions and suggestions; the
Scope of Work has been approved by the EBCRC for the Feasibility Study for port priority
designation; an agreement has been reached, in principal, with MARAD on berthing 11 ships at NAS
for close to $1 million net a year (plus dredging); the Microsoft event has been postponed until
February 1997, however they will still pay $60,000 for work done by the ARRA staff to date; and,
two short-term licenses have been negotiated with Disney for “Flubber II” and Francis Ford Coppola
for “The Rainmaker.” Ms. Miller then commended Julie Mantrom, in particular, as well as everyone
else involved in the intensive collaborative effort to produce a very impressive LAMBRA
application. In January, the LAMBRA recipient will be announced. However, even if we are not
awarded the LAMBRA, this effort has resulted in a very attractive incentive program for prospective
tenants to locate their businesses at NAS.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, NON-AGENDA (PUBLIC COMMENT)
Neil Patrick Sweeney, suggested putting the day of the week on meeting notices as well as the
actual date, inviting other base conversion groups to the Town Meeting, and having more handouts
available at the meetings.
Barbara Baach asked the ARRA for a letter to the Commanding Officer at NAS Alameda stating
the ARRA’s support for the Naval Air Museum and to assist them in keeping it open on weekends
while they work on the financial planning necessary to continue operations. Alternate Alves stated
that he would like to make a motion at the appropriate time to make sure there is a seamless
transition and to ensure the Museum does not close. Chair Appezzato noted that the matter would
have to be agendized because, while the ARRA supports the Museum, the current question is not
support but funding. Executive Director Miller stated that the ARRA has begun discussions with the
Naval Air Museum about how to transition to permanent leasing of those buildings. Norma Bishop
stated that Captain Dodge has urged the museum interests, in particular Marilyn York and Barbara
Baach, to concentrate their efforts on negotiating with ARRA and funding their efforts. The Navy
must be assured that the museum is financially viable and can assume responsibility of the operations
and maintenance of the building before it can turn over the artifacts. Alternate Alves requested that
Executive Director Miller call Councilmember Karin Lucas and explain the situation to her. Ms.
Miller agreed to do so.
Bill Smith, Virtual Agile Manufacturing, spoke in favor of an open process and public service.
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COMMUNICATIONS FROM GOVERNING BODY
None.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by Chair Appezzato at 7:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Margaret E. Ensley
Secretary
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