HomeMy WebLinkAboutOCTOBER 26,1993
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CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY
CLERK
ROLL CALL
1.
LETTER FROM
SANTA ANITA
OPERATING
COMPANY
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M I NUT E S
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA
and the
ARCADIA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING (WORK SESSION)
October 26, 1993
The City Council and the Arcadia Redevelopment Agency met in an
Adjourned Regular Meeting (Work Session) on Tuesday, October 26,
1993, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers Conference Room.
PRESENT: Councilmembers Fasching, Harbicht, Lojeski, Margett, and
Ciraulo
ABSENT: None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Bettv SoanEler, 335 West Walnut Avenue, stated in part that her
neighborhood has been experiencing a considerable amount of
vandalism, some of which has been extremely expensive to repair.
People have driven cars and motorcycles onto front yards, knocked
down fences and fountains, and a house has had obscene graffiti
written on it. She notices that these events seem to be occurring
at about 1 o'clock on a Thursday or Friday morning, since that is
when the neighborhood dogs start barking. She wonders if she and
her neighbors could have some surveillance in the area, perhaps an
unmarked police car. Captain Hinig was in the audience to respond
that he will look at the incidents reported and try to determine a
pattern so the Police Department can best assist the neighborhood
in crime prevention. Ms. Spangler said she has a record of the
incidents she and her neighbors have reported to the Police
Department.
Alexander Il. Ingle of the Santa Anita Operating Company was present
to review a letter dated October 5, 1993, from his company to the
City. Since the advent of inter track wagering six years ago,
attendance at Santa Anita Race Track has decreased, resulting in
unused portions of the parking lot. Santa Anita Operating Company
would like to examine options with regard to alternative land uses
for the surplus portion of Race Track property. A variety of
proposals have been received, including a marketplace concept, a
concert series in the infield, and a music center complex.
As a first step, Santa Anita Operating Company would like to invite
the City of Arcadia and its residents to participate in a series of
preliminary and informal meetings to discuss possible uses of the
excess portion of Race Track property. The City Manager explained
that this process would be sponsored by Santa Anita and it would be
conducted utilizing the services of Michael Freedman, who would be
working for the City. It is recommended that Council authorize
staff to bring back, for Council's consideration, a predevelopment
agreement setting forth this process whereby the City would retain
the services of Michael Freedman to conduct community meetings. It
is also recommended that the City use the services of Jim Williams
for his expertise in figures to advise the City of the fiscal
impact a potential development at the Race Track would have on the
City.
Santa Anita has retained the law firm of O'Melveny and Myers. The
City Manager suggested that the Arcadia City Attorney could use the
assistance of Steve Deitsch, the City's redevelopment attorney, in
reviewing what might be done at the Race Track property. The City
Attorney stated that the predevelopment agreement stipulates that
the developer will pay for all consultants, including legal
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assistance. A draft of the agreement has been prepared and is
being reviewed by O'Melveny and Myers. There is a meeting planned
for later in the week to discuss the document.
Councilmember Fasching asked if, at the community meetings, Santa
Anita Operating Company is going to submit specific ideas for use
of the Race Track property, or if they will ask for residents'
ideas. Mr. Ingle stated that his company has begun to analyze some
different alternatives, with considerat:i.r-:: toward those things
which might be compatible with the recreational and entertainment
aspects of horse racing and which would also complement Fashion
Park Mall. Santa Anita Operating Company will be presenting some
pre-conceived ideas as to what will work from their standpoint, and
taking these ideas to the community for their input. The community
may have some suggestions that could prove productive. The music
dome idea will be presented, as it is considered to be especially I
beneficial to both the Race Track and the community. The City
Attorney pointed out that this will come before Council at a public
hearing, at which time community input will again be received.
Ultimately, land use approvals must be given by the Planning
Commission and Council.
The City Manager advised that the predevelopment agreement should
be ready to be presented to Council at its November 16 meeting. It
will be an agreement with Santa Anita Operating Company setting
forth the process involved in this endeavor, including public
meetings conducted by Michael Freedman and the payment of
consultants by Santa Anita Operating Company. Michael Freedman
would gather information taken from the meetings and present it to
the Council with some recommendations. The City Attorney pointed
out that the predevelopment agreement will not give approval for
actual development at this point.
Councilmember Harbicht inquired of Mr. Ingle why the City is being
asked to handle this process of assessing public reaction rather
than his company doing so. Mr. Ingle indicated that after
discussion with City staff, it was felt that the job of gathering
community reaction might be more ably performed by Michael
Freedman's association than by his company. In addition, Mr.
Freedman expressed a preference to work on behalf of the City in
order to maintain his independence and perspective. Considering
the size of the Race Track property and its significance to the
City of Arcadia, Mr. Ingle feels there should be a joint effort to
come up with something of benefit to everyone.
Councilmember Harbicht believes that in cases such as this, the
private company should be the one to promote its proposal or gather
information, working in cooperation with government agencies. He
suggested that since Michael Freedman's expertise is in the field
of downtown revitalization, he does not have any expertise in this
kind of development. It would be better to get proposals from
those who know about this kind of development, especially for a
development of such major proportion. And, with regard to Jim
Williams, he did a fine job on the Costco project, but that is his
area of expertise. ..retail development.
Councilmember Margett asked if consultants have been solicited with
regard to what Santa Anita plans to do. Mr. Ingle said yes, Gin
Wong and Associates is their master architect. Harrison Price
Company is advising them on the mix of different venues and ideas.
Harrison Price was hired by Walt Disney in 1953 to locate
Disneyland in Anaheim and has worked on thousands of entertainment/
recreation projects all over the world. Councilmember Margett
asked, isn't Michael Freedman's job that of facilitator, and not as
a consultant with regard to the construction project itself? The
City Manager clarified that the entertainment concept is the
business of Santa Anita Operating Company. Mr. Freedman's job is
to relate that to the community and facilitate a processing of
community concerns and planning concerns so that the City Council
has a clear understanding of what the community finds acceptable.
It waS pointed out that the domed theater would be the cornerstone
of this project,
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2.
FIRE DEPT.
9-1-1 COM-
MUNICATIONS
CONSOLES
(Lease or
Purchase
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Discussion followed with regard to the negotiation process that
will need to be undertaken between the City and Santa Anita
Operating Company in order to assure the development of something
which will be suitable and desirable for the City of Arcadia.
Councilmember Harbicht stated, in part, that the City should have
on its side consultants of equal caliber and expertise as those who
will be representing Santa Anita. There was further discussion
regarding Michael Freedman's role as a representative of the City
to get community reaction, and why Santa Ano.:a Operating Company is
not handling that part of the process. Mayor Ciraulo stated in
part that, as he understands it, Santa Anita will present its
concept to the community, and Michael Freedman would be there to
protect the City's interest, since he has become very familiar with
the City's goals. The Mayor feels that Santa Anita should be the
one to sell the project to the citizens of Arcadia, as does
Councilmember Harbicht. Councilmember Margett commented that
Michael Freedman could be very helpful to the City at this point in
the pr?cess, and experts could be brought in at a later date. The
City Manager explained the role of Michael Freedman as advocate for
the City, gathering community reaction regarding this project. He
stated in part that Jim Williams is basically a project manager who
would look at the numbers and give advice on financing. He would
work out of the City Manager's office performing administrative
duties, and would make information available to Mr. Ingle.
The City Attorney commented that the pre development agreement will
include descriptions of the consultants' duties and estimated
costs, which will be paid by Santa Anita Operating Company. He
added that the City could retain different consultants when the
development agreement is prepared, but cautioned that the exhibits
outlining Mr. Freedman's and Mr. Williams' scope of duties would
have to be examined, and those documents were just made available
to him yesterday. The City Attorney will be sending Council a
draft of the agreement this week for review so that a final
agreement can be presented at the November 16 Council meeting.
Considerable discussion ensued regarding the predevelopment and
community involvement process, which was estimated at 180 days.
It was agreed that the entire process would be divided into two
stages, a pre development phase and a development phase.
After further discussion of the above matters, it was concluded
that staff be directed to go forward with negotiations of the
predevelopment agreement for presentation to Council on November
16.
The Fire Chief was in attendance to present the staff report. The
Fire Department Communications Center is scheduled to replace the
9-1-1 dispatch consoles and related electronic equipment in the
1994-95 Capital Improvement Program. Funding in the amount of
$282,150 has been programmed for this project in the Equipment
Replacement Fund. The original equipment was installed in 1983 when
the 9-1-1 Center was constructed. Repair parts are no longer
available for the existing equipment, and the consoles need to be
replaced to minimize failure and accommodate current needs.
In early 1994, the State of California will be providing and
installing new 9-1-1 telephones and all new computer switching gear
in the consoles. In addition the City's computer-aided dispatch
(CAD) equipment is also scheduled for installation in early 1994.
Immediately thereafter in July of 1994 the existing 9-1-1 consoles
are sCheduled for replacement. If this schedule is followed, the
new telephones and CAD equipment will then require removal from the
old consoles and reinstallation into the new consoles at City
expense.
In an effort to minimize disruption of service within the 9-1-1
Center as well as eliminate redundant effort, it is vital that all
three projects be coordinated. Staff has worked with Pacific
Telephone Company, the CAD system contractor, and Motorola
Incorporated in an effort to coordinate all installations as part
of the 9-1-1 console replacement project.
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3.
PUBLIC
INFORMATION
PLAN
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"ITEMS FROM
COUNCIL-
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ON WORK
SESSION
AGENDAS
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ADJOURNMENT
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In the event Council does not wish to move funding to the current
fiscal year, the equipment may be leased. A lease/purchase
agreement with Motorola Incorporated will make it possible to
acquire the consoles in Fiscal Year 1993-94, with the first lease
payment deferred to Fiscal Year 1994-95. The lease/purchase
agreement with Motorola would be in the amount of $241,563.11 with
either three annual lease payments of $83,898 or five annual lease
payments of $52,834. Upon final payment the City would own all
equipment. Dic taphone recording equipment would need to be
procured separately at a cost of $29,866.49.
After discussion, Council decided it would be acceptable to
purchase the equipment in Fiscal Year 1993-94. A formal staff
report will be prepared and presented for approval at a regular
Council meeting.
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Consideration of a draft Public Information Plan. This report,
prepared by staff of the City Manager's office, outlines efforts
that could be taken to improve communication with City residents,
businesses, the media, the Gity Council and staff, and ways to
encourage input and participation from them and to secure
additional local newspaper coverage. Council had expressed an
interest in finding other ways to communicate information to the
public. Direction was given to place this item on the agenda for
a regular Council meeting'.
Council briefly discussed the matter of "Items from Councilmembers,"
which has been an item listed on the work session agendas. The City
Attorney explained that the Brown Act has been amended, to be
effective April 1994, specifying that items scheduled for discussion
by Councilmembers must be specifically stated on the agenda.
Guidelines on this new ruling are expected soon. For now, Items
from Councilmembers may be handled as previously. It was not on
tonight's agenda because people from the media had questioned the
City Attorney about the extent of these items at work session
meetings, and Council's direction was desired. The City Attorney
stated that Items from Councilmembers may be brought up at regular
meetings, or even work sessions at Council's discretion. It was
Council's desire to have "Items from Councilmembers" remain on work
session agendas.
At 7:18 p.m. the City Council Work Session adjourned to 7:00 p.m.
on Tuesday, November 2, 1993, in the Conference Room of the City
Hall Council Chambers, for an Adjourned Regular Meeting to conduct
the business of the Council and the Redevelopment Agency, and any
Closed Session necessary to discuss personnel, litigation matters
or evaluation of properties.
Jose
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