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2003-12-02 Joint CC CIC MinutesMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY - - - DECEMBER 2, 2003 - - - 7:25 P.M. Mayor /Chair Johnson convened the Special Joint meeting at 7:26 p.m. Councilmember /Commissioner Kerr led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL - Present: Councilmembers /Commissioners Daysog, Gilmore, Kerr, Matarrese and Mayor /Chair Johnson - 5. Absent: None. MTT\TTTTF,.q (03- 552CC/03- 072CIC) Minutes of the Special Joint City Council, Community Improvement Commission and Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority Meeting held on November 12, 2003. Approved. Vice Mayor /Commissioner Daysog moved approval of the minutes. Councilmember /Commissioner Gilmore seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. AGENDA ITEMS (03- 553CC/03- 073CIC) Public Hearing to consider authorizing the City Manager/ Executive Director to enter into a Disposition and Development Agreement with Regency Realty Group for the redevelopment of the Bridgeside Shopping Center; (03- 553A -CC) Resolution No. 13666, "Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Disposition and Development Agreement between the Community Improvement Commission and Regency Realty Group, Inc., and Approving Certain Mitigation Measures for the Project." Adopted. (03- 073A -CIC) Resolution No. 03 -122, "Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Disposition and Development Agreement between the Community Improvement Commission and Regency Realty Group, Inc.; Approving Regency's Financing Plans and Basic Concept Drawings for the Project; and Approving and Certifying a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Certain Mitigation Measures for the Project." Adopted. The Development Services Director stated community engagement forums indicated the neighborhood wants the shopping center Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and 1 Community Improvement Commission December 2, 2003 revitalized with a quality grocery store; noted a key objective of the Economic Development Strategic Plan was to provide newly enhanced community -level shopping opportunities; the project takes advantage of its waterfront location; in July, allocated $6.25 million to acquire the Bridgeside Center and within 90 days the City will recoup its investment. Doug Weely, Foothill Partners, noted that the Bridgeside Center was functionally obsolete on the day it opened due to dramatic changes in the grocery and drug store industries; stated that he is pleased to restore the site to neighborhood retail and encouraged by the financial backing of Regency Centers. Tom Engburg, Regency Centers, outlined Regency's investment strategy of acquisition and development; stated all centers are built with cash, not third party financing; Regency is ready to close as soon as the DDA is executed by the City and plans to close escrow in the third week of December. Mayor /Chair Johnson opened the Public Hearing. Proponents: Bob Kelly, Economic Development Commission; Rod Smith, Alameda; Gwen Pirack, Alameda; Dave Needle, Fernside Homeowners Association; and Jon Spangler, Bike Alameda. Opponents: None. There being no further speakers, Mayor /Chair Johnson closed the public portion of the hearing. Councilmember /Commissioner Kerr stated there is a retail building between the gas station and Tilden Way; there should be no visual impact to residents across Tilden Way; there is a lot of landscaping between the gas station and Blanding Avenue; stated that she was happy to see that retail businesses will be water - oriented; noted the only water - oriented business at the former Bridgeside Center was a pizza establishment. Councilmember /Commissioner Matarrese requested that the City Manager /Executive Director respond to the request made by Dave Needle regarding design input. Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and 2 Community Improvement Commission December 2, 2003 The City Manager /Executive Director stated the City works to engage the community in a variety of ways; citizens have been involved with project teams and past experience can be reviewed as a model. Councilmember /Commissioner Matarrese stated that he is pleased to turn the property over and free up the money invested; noted that in 1998 -99, the EDC recommended that the Bridgeside Center be treated as a blight; the Center is meeting two goals of the Economic Development Strategic Plan; Nob Hill Foods is a very good tenant. Councilmember /Commissioner Matarrese moved adoption of the resolutions. Councilmember /Commissioner Kerr seconded the motion. Under discussion, Mayor /Chair Johnson stated the Bridgeside Shopping Center is an important project for community; noted the Center will provide amenities to the community needs; stated aside from generating additional revenues for the City, the primary goal is to provide a Center which the community needs. City Attorney /Legal Counsel clarified the motion was on behalf of both the City Council and CIC. Vice Mayor /Commissioner Daysog stated the project will be a community asset; noted that the project is both a source of economic revitalization and an opportunity to beautify Alameda. Councilmember /Commissioner Matarrese stated the motion includes the recommendation that the City approve the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the DDA and approve and authorize the Executive Director to execute the DDA with Regency Realty Group. On the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. (03- 554CC/03- 074CIC) Recommendation to authorize the City Manager /Executive Director to negotiate and execute a Contract with Architectural Resources Group for preliminary planning of the Alameda Theater Historic Rehabilitation Project. Robb Ratto, Park Street Business Association (PSBR), stated that PSBR supports the recommendation; at PSBA's Design Committee meeting, Chris Buckley of the Alameda Architecture Preservation Society characterized Architectural Resources Group as the best firm in the country for the project; urged approval of the staff recommendation. Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and 3 Community Improvement Commission December 2, 2003 Councilmember /Commissioner Matarrese thanked staff; noted that the main desire of everyone attending the Economic Development Strategic Plan workshops was to have the Alameda Theater reopened as a movie theatre. Councilmember /Commissioner Matarrese moved approval of the staff recommendation. Councilmember /Commissioner Gilmore seconded the motion. Under discussion Mayor /Chair Johnson requested that City Manager /Executive Director schedule a briefing for the Council on the parking structure issue; requested that Council receive frequent updates regarding the plans; noted the importance of the project; stated that she will be interested in the restoration; commented that many people in Alameda have not been in the theatre and do not realize its beauty. On the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice vote - 5. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mayor /Chair Johnson adjourned the Special Joint Meeting at 8:17 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. Special Joint Meeting Alameda City Council and 4 Community Improvement Commission December 2, 2003