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2001-03-20 Joint CC CIC MinutesMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY- -MARCH 20, 2001- -7:20 P.M. Mayor /Chair Appezzato convened the Joint Meeting at 8:39 p.m. ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers /Commissioners Daysog, DeWitt, Johnson, Kerr and Mayor /Chair Appezzato - 5. Absent: None. MINUTES (CIC 01 -06) Minutes of the Special Community Improvement Commission Meeting of February 20, 2001 and the Special Joint City Council, Community Improvement Commission and Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority Meeting (Closed Session) of March 6, 2001. [Community Improvement Commission] Commissioner Daysog moved approval of the Minutes. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. AGENDA ITEMS (CC 01 -133) (CIC 01 -07) Recommendation to adopt Implementation Program for the Economic Development Strategic Plan, the Alameda Downtown Vision and Housing Forum Recommendations. [City Council /Community Improvement Commission] Julian Frederick, Alameda, stated specific plans providing for bus riders, bicyclists and pedestrians seem to be absent; inquired what criteria were used to select involved organizations; stated Alameda Transit Advocates and Bike Alameda were not consulted; the lack of participation of community groups should be addressed in the future. Steven Gerstle, Alameda, stated the scope of participation should be widened to include all types of public interest groups and social service organizations, not just government and business bodies; there are different economic interests in the community and all should be included; the plans aim for a higher- income community, e.g. money will be set aside for development of a golf course and spa; the Condominium Conversion Ordinance will be revised, which will reduce the rental stock and will not create new units; a wider community spectrum should be involved with economic Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and 1 Community Improvement Commission March 20, 2001 interest issues. The Development Services Director stated development of the various strategic plans included significant public outreach; the implementation program had equally significant public outreach; other groups will be included in the future; the Economic Development Commission (EDC) will hold quarterly meetings to track the implementation status; there was wide distribution of the EDC's first meeting [notice]; there will be an opportunity for all groups to be involved. Frank Matarrese, Alameda, stated that he supports adoption of the Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP); the Planning Board felt the most important aspects are: 1) Strategy 5, development of a City Transportation Master Plan, and 2) Strategy 7, highlighting work force housing, which the City took action on earlier this evening [at the Special Joint City Council, Community Improvement Commission, Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Meeting]; the landmark document put economic development plans, the General Plan and specific plans on one grid to coordinate activities and is one step to prevent piecemeal development in the City. Mayor /Chair Appezzato stated the plans are ambitious; there was concern that the plans not be placed on a shelf and gather dust; hopefully, goals will be reached. Councilmember /Commissioner Johnson moved approval of the staff recommendation. Councilmember /Commissioner Johnson stated the implementation plan is an assurance that the City will go forward with the plans. Vice Mayor /Commissioner DeWitt stated the implementation plan includes new positions to staff projects and budget allocations in conceptual form; there are people and funds to make the plan work. Vice Mayor /Commissioner DeWitt seconded the motion. Under discussion, Councilmember /Commissioner Kerr stated the Plans represent a major amount of work; when implementing the EDSP, the economic value of open space should be recognized; East Bay Regional Park District has done studies on the matter; there is a suggestion to develop land at the College of Alameda; during discussions of Tinker Avenue extension, many people worked to save Neptune Park; the City should be careful about what is done at the City's gateways; a good gateway is a great economic benefit; that she supports the [staff] recommendation. Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and 2 Community Improvement Commission March 20, 2001 On the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. (CC 01 -134) (CIC 01 -08) Recommendation to endorse an Application to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) for a Capital Grant in the amount of $1.7 Million for the Webster Renaissance Project and City match in the amount of $500,000. [City Council /Community Improvement Commission] Julian Frederick, Alameda, stated Alameda Transit Advocates signed a letter to MTC supporting the project; there are not specific provisions dealing with public transit -, pedestrian- and cyclist needs, however, Alameda Transit Advocates were assured that said provisions will be forthcoming. Michelle Fredrick, West Alameda Business Association (WABA), submitted the preferred Webster Streetscape Plan; urged endorsement of the preferred alternative and the Application to MTC; stated countless hours of community input, over several years, generated many designs for a new Webster Street; BMS Design Group worked with WABA to distill said information into the preferred design alternative. Georgia Madden, WABA, stated the Plan presented to Council will be presented to MTC with the [Grant] Application; the Plan is a working document and will continue to be refined with community input; urged support; stated the broad community effort will result in increased prosperity for the entire Island, not just the West End. Ms. Frederick further stated the next phase of the project will focus on specific design details: 1) street furniture selection; 2) landscaping and paving materials; 3) refining technical aspects, e.g. traffic engineering, parking requirements, grading and drainage, specific transit solutions for bus, auto, bike and pedestrians; and 4) alternative methods of transportation, e.g. electric shuttle; there will be continued public involvement; WABA has formed great partnerships with City staff, CalTRANS, the Mayor's Committee on Disability Issues and Alameda Architectural Preservation Society. Vice Mayor /Commissioner DeWitt inquired whether there are diagrams which show how the streetscape will connect Tinker Avenue with Webster Street. Ms. Frederick responded Tinker Avenue [extension] is fluid; there are not specific solutions for all connections; the new College of Alameda entrance is a part of the Plan; the Plan includes Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and 3 Community Improvement Commission March 20, 2001 pedestrian safety at the corner of Webster Street and Atlantic Avenue; the traffic engineer is working on both Tinker Avenue extension and the Webster Renaissance project. Jon Spangler, Alameda, stated the Webster Renaissance [Streetscape] Subcommittee came up with the most recent design for Tinker Avenue extension; the Streetscape Subcommittee should serve as a model for how Alameda conducts business. Councilmember /Commissioner Johnson inquired whether the Public Transit Committee could send a letter endorsing the Application. The Deputy Public Works Director stated the City Attorney's Office made a ruling; a letter has been drafted and will be forwarded for signature. Councilmember /Commissioner Johnson moved approval of the staff recommendation. Councilmember /Commissioner Kerr seconded the motion. Under discussion, Mayor /Chair Appezzato stated that he represents the thirteen [Alameda County] Mayors on MTC and will support the project enthusiastically; nine counties are represented on MTC; hopefully, there will be success [Grant Application will be approved by MTC] since the City's match is so substantial. On the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor /Chair Appezzato adjourned the Special Joint Meeting at 9:06 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Diane B. Felsch, CMC City Clerk, Secretary, Community Improvement Commission The Agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown Act. Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and 4 Community Improvement Commission March 20, 2001