HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCDC Minutes 07/07/1997I MINUTES
2 OF A
3 PETALUMA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
4 MEETING
s MONDAY, JULY 7, 1997
6 ROLL CALL:
7 Present: Read, Keller, Torliatt, Maguire, Chairman Hilligoss
s Absent: Stompe, Vice Chairman Hamilton,
9 RESO.97-07
10 1995-96 ANNUAL REPORT
11 Resolution 97-07 accepting the 1995-96 Annual Report. The Finance Director noted that he
12 will incorporate footnotes on future Treasurer's quarterly reports to the City Council for
13 easier reading of the details between reports. A five-year Implementation Plan 1995-1999 was
14 included in the Commission's packet as an exhibit to the Annual Report. The staff was asked
15 if this will be updated and submitted to the Commission. Staff responded the document will
16 be updated in December, and next year the Commission will see the revised figures.
17 Regarding the Auto Plaza, Commissioner Keller asked about the references to 9 auto dealers
18 in one place and then a reference to 10 auto dealers. Staff responded that the lot on Industrial
19 Avenue adjacent to the Rancho Arroyo tennis courts is owned by the Commission and that is
20 the tenth lot, which will be the last lot to be developed.
21 Commissioner Torliatt asked about the land acquisition reserve, do we want a reserve, or do
22 we not want a reserve? There was no discussion of the issue.
23 Introduced by Nancy Read, seconded by Matt Maguire.
24 Ayes: Read, Keller, Torliatt, Maguire, Chairman Hilligoss
25 Noes: None
26 Absent: Stompe, Vice Chairman Hamilton,
27 1997-98 DRAFT BUDGET
28 Staff presented the 1997-98 draft budget to the Commission for their consideration and
29 recommendations.
30 The Downtown Merchants' Association was complimented because of their budget's clarity in
31 presentation. Warren Salmons, Deputy Director of PCDC, recommended their budget be
32 approved with authority to transfer funds among the categories in accordance with the listings
33 they presented to the Commission. If there is a desire from the Downtown Merchants'
34 Association to alter their budget by adding a new category, the matter will be brought back to
35 the Commission. $11,500 is the staff recommended figure for Putnam Plaza improvements.
36 The $1,500 offered by Mr. Baker will be used first.
37 Building Facade improvements are, for the most part, not eligible for Unreinforced Masonry
38 Building funds, said staff.
PCDC Meeting July 7,1997 Page 1 of 4 pages
1 The Keller Street Parkins; Garal?e $117,500 in repairs include water proofing at the top deck
2 to eliminate moisture from penetrating the concrete onto the steel reinforcing beams and to
3 repair a third floor separation between beams. The Downtown Merchants' Association has
4 arranged to have some youth paint the interior to brighten it. The Commission did not
s express support for the suggestion to use any extra money left from the water -proofing to
6 changing the garage's yellow lighting to white lighting. Regarding security for the garage,
7 staff will be doing some `brainstorming' with the Police Department and will report back to
a the Commission. Regarding lighting, Commissioner Maguire said he would rather put full
9 spectrum lighting in the Council Chambers than change the garage lights. The only seismic
10 issue is the top deck of the garage.
11 The current interest rate on the Downtown Assessment District is 9%. Staff plans to
12 refinance that bond issue, along with some other bond issues, to reduce the interest rate to
13 around 6% or 7%. The savings will be used in the appropriate areas.
14 Regarding the lights in the trees, the Commission wants them on all of the time, not just
is during the winter holidays.
16 Jeff Harriman, President of the Downtown Merchants' Association, expressed appreciation
17 for the Commission's support of the downtown. He noted that a Police foot patrol is a major
is item for them. He would be happy to attend any meetings to help this move along. The
19 Association supports the enlargement of the Central Petaluma Specific Plan which is on the
20 Council's agenda this evening. They would like to be active players in that group.
21 Commissioner Keller asked staff to include in next year's budget a recap of what was
22 accomplished by the redevelopment agency.
23 Regarding the mural that has been in the planning stages for some time, it was noted by the
24 Downtown Association that the cost of the mural will run between $25,000 and $30,000. The
25 donations for this beautification effort have been slow. They will report back when the health
26 of Marcie Becker has improved. She is chairperson of that effort.
27 Regarding the Downtown Merchants Association looking into a performing arts center, the
28 building they had been talking about, the Phoenix Theatre, is no longer in the picture. They
29 are continuing to look at the issue.
30 Regarding the strategy of trapping pigeons, Commissioner Keller has asked that the
31 Downtown Association come back with a report on the degree of success of the project.
32 Marketing is one of the top issues for the redevelopment area. Commissioner Keller wants to
33 see a marketing plan come back to the Commission. Linda Buffo, Downtown Association,
34 said it is their understanding that marketing is not to come from PCDC, but funding has come
35 from the merchants.
36 Commissioner Keller questioned the $650 for the newsletter. Linda Buffo of the Downtown
37 Association send this is sent monthly to business owners, property owners, media and other
38 agencies. They are trying to make this a useful method of disseminating useful information to
39 all, rather than using it as a "chatty" organ.
PCDC Meeting July 7,1997 Page 1 of 4 pages
I Commissioner Torliatt asked for the garage security issue to come back to them within a
2 month with an analysis of all the options which include, but are not limited to, private security,
3 funding a Police officer, what overtime is currently being spent, can the COPPS program be
4 used, how much will the cost be, can we have other types of funding available, what would be
s the long term affects if they use a Police officer.
6 Planned Community District Area -
7 The Commission wants the Economic Development Promotion to include the entire city
s including the Central Business District.
9 Commissioner comments
10 - The Project Area Alternatives Analysis should be discussed before the $40,000 is
11 approved by the Commission.
12 - North McDowell/Old Redwood Highway Land Use Study, what are the property owners
13 putting in?
14 - Marina, is the money simply this year's band-aid? (Staff noted that siltation in the
15 Petaluma River, Turning Basin, and Marina is a constant in this drainage system.) It is
16 hoped that the silt removal from the Marina will give sufficient depth so the City can
17 include it in the next Army Corps river dredging project cycle.
18 - Auto Plaza - staff was asked that the Benson obligation not be paid until the Commission
19 is certain his obligations to the Commission have been met.
20 - Marina - wants to look at renegotiations with the State regarding the Marina loan.
21 - Cash flow - concerns were expressed about the potential of utilizing so much of the
22 redevelopment cash that in the future there will be no bonding capacity.
23 - The Auto Center Project, PCD Loans and Assessments, Transfer out to Debt Service
24 Fund, Marina and Lakeville Highway Improvements need to be discussed. More
25 information is wanted from staff, said one Commissioner.
26 - Another Commissioner noted that PCD Loans and Assessments and the Marina budget
27 items are all right.
28 - More information on the Gow property settlement was requested.
29 - Another request was for the beginning reserves for projects, more information on a new
30 parking facility downtown, wants a list of projects and a prioritization done, wants to see
31 if we need to be making reserves. Staff noted that the Central Petaluma Specific Plan will
32 be answering questions about a parking garage.
33 The Commission will continue consideration of the budget upon receiving staff's response to
34 the foregoing questions.
PCDC Meeting July 7,1997 Page 1 of 4 pages
I RESO.97-08
2 PROJECT AREA ALTERNATIVES
3 The Commission has received indications of interest to do a rigorous analysis of the
4 redevelopment programs, the project areas and the alternatives for use of redevelopment
s resources from a couple of firms. Included in the Commission packet was a proposed Request
6 for Proposal. Noting the fact that more firms would be interested in submitting proposals, staff
7 was authorized to accomplish that task, including submittal to a firm which communicates with
8 the sort of firms who would be interested in the invitation. Staff advised the RFP's would be
9 sent out early next week. Introduced by David Keller, seconded by Matt Maguire.
10 Ayes: Read, Keller, Torliatt, Maguire, Chairman Hilligoss
11 Noes: None
12 Absent: Stompe, Vice Chairman Hamilton,
13 ADJOURN 4:45 p.m.
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15 ATTEST: M. Patricia Hilligoss, Chairman
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19 Patricia E. Bernard, Recording Secretary
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PCDC Meeting July 7,1997 Page 1 of 4 pages