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Home My WebLink AboutJUNE 11,1970 I I CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK 18:7644 M I NUT E S CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING JUNE 11, 1970 The City Council and the City Planning Commission met in adjourned sessions in the Board of Director's Room in the Arcadia Methodist Hospital on June 11, 1970, at 7:30 P.M. PRESENT Councilmen Arth, Considine, Hage, Helms, Butterworth Planning Commissioners Cahill, Erickson, Lauber, Livingston, Kuyper, Reiter. Chamber of Commerce President Camphouse introduced members of the Board of D~rectors and the Area Development Committee. Mayor Butterworth explained the purpose of the joint meeting ---that inasmuch as the General Plan is about to be adopted, it is relevant to give some thought to the important area development program with relation to the Chamber of Commerce; that at the direction of Council the City Manager had sent a letter to the Executive Vice President of the Chamber setting forth requests for 1) an explanation in substantial detail of how the contributions made by the City to the Chamber are spent; 2) what new businesses have been attracted to the City through the efforts of the Chamber and a description of the work the Chamber does in soliciting new business; that in addition, discussion might concern the contract with the City (dated January 26, 1954) - whether or not it should be redrafted or amended to the satisfaction of the Council, the Planning Commission and the Chamber; that discussion might be held on whether or not a full time salaried area developer should be employed and what part the City should play in such development. (informal discussion - no agenda or format). The Chamber Executive Vice-President explored items of the contract (lA through lH) which related directly to the information requested by Council and read from a prepared report (on file in the office of the City Clerk) along with a breakdown of how the allocation of 3% of city sales tax revenue is distributed in the operation of the Chamber. For instance, toward the cost of publications, communications, facilities, and staff salaries. He also explained how they follow through on an industrial prospect; that they are in the midst of completing a city industrial inventory map - the first. With reference to the Area Development Committee of the Chamber he stated in part that it is currently studying the proposed Fashion Park complex. In answer to an inquiry flif any of the committee or someone travels to other cities to follow up on a prospect" he stated that the Chamber is not budgeted for this type of' contact and commented that the City of Pasadena does this but has a substantial budget for such promotion. He continued that in his opinion it should be decided just what is basically needed in the city; that Arcadia being a city of fine homes, large businesses have overlooked it. Along this line, Chamber member Henry Hege stated in part that the Chamber is hampered to some extent by not really knowing just what the City wants; that he has appeared on various occasions before city bodies on behalf of industry and has been told that they do not want industry; that as a result he has personally advised clients to stay out because they could not get approval for what they wanted to do; that the Planned Industrial area as mapped is so restrictive it is impossible to feasibly and/or economically build in those areas; that Chamber has gone on record in this regard. 6-11-70 - 1 - 18:7645 Mayor Butterworth stated in part that in the almost nine years he has been a Councilman he has never heard it stated that industry was not wanted; that in his opinion the restrictions are conpatible with the community as its citizens want it developed, and asked that a list of regulations which are considered too restrictive be compiled for con- sideration at a future meeting. Reference was made to the City of Oxnard which has employed on a full time basis an Area Developer. At this point Planning Commissioner Livingston explained his experience in that city...where he made con- tact with the Developer; that he was driven throughout the city, was I shown available property am its future use; that this person is engaged by the city with a budget of $35,000 annually and that he had at ! his fingertips information re taxes, insurance rates and much pertinent data he needed for the corporate headquarters he is interested in establishing. Planning Commissioner Lauber observed in part that this is the first time to her knowledge that the three bodies have met to discuss such matters - that she would like to pursue the problem presented - that of industry not wanted - and made reference to industrially zoned areas. Chamber member Frank Regan commented in part on the sign ordinance on which the Chamber committee had worked with the Planning Department; that ideas were submitted but in the main were eventually ignored. He concurred that joint meetings such as this are productive, but suggested future ones be attended by a lesser number of people - perhaps specific representatives of the three agencies. Councilman Considine submitted, in part that about four years ago the City was going to take the initiative in area development but Chamber felt that the function was within its purview...that a number of things had been accomplished, but that Council had been advised that a land inventory could not be put together because realtors and businesses were reluctant to release information which was confidential; that perhaps the City was remiss in not following it up, but that eventually a brochure was put together along with maps of specific areas...emphasis being placed on the downtown area, with considerable thought given to development of excess areas as a result of the freeway. He also referred to the Wilsey, Hamm and Blair report of a few years ago and to industrial areas. He continued that when a restriction is considered not to be in the best interest of business, an opportunity should be afforded to take corrective action when and where needed - that this was done with the sign ordinance which, in his opinion, is a good ordinance and was accomplished through the efforts of the ad hoc committee and the Chamber. Planning Commissioner Cahill stated in part that perhaps in the beginning an ad hoc committee should be formed to review the contract, and bring the various agencies together in order to reach an understanding as to just I where the City wants to go in its development. Chamber member Elton D. Phillips spoke briefly to the idea of employing an Area Developer, which in his opinion, is a good idea but felt that a more definitive goal should be determined before thinking in terms of such an expenditure. He then submitted that the City has the best land for distribution packaging, that is, the largest parcels; that potential businesses must be wanted and sought out - perhaps with some concessions such as, for instance, free water for a year or something along that line. 6-11-70 - 2 - 1': 1 .. 18:7646 Some discussion ensued on available Chicago Park land, some of which is still tied up with title disputes and other major industrially zoned areas in the downtown area which are small parcels and difficult to put together. I Mayor Butterworth expressed deep appreciation to all those in attendance with the observation that in his opinion it has been a meaningful meeting;. that thought will be given to the appointment of committees to - 1) review the existing contract, 2) consider the feasibility of the employment of an Area Developer, and to other remarks and suggestions made during the evening. The City Council then ADJOURNED to June 16, 1970, at 7:30 P,M. in the City Hall Council Chamber. The Planning Commission then ADJOURNED to June 23, 1970, at 8:00 P.M. r--- in the First Avenue School Auditorium. ~1~ Mayor 9:30 P,M. d~~1t~~ City Clerk f 1 6-11- 70 - 3 -