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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOCTOBER 26,1993 I ? I 0/10- err:;;; 35:027S/0J/19.$, C-c 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 on ';'.7'0 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 -I. 10/26/93 35:0279 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, -2- 10/26/93 I I I 2. FIRE DEPT. 9-1-1 COM- MUNICATIONS CONSOLES (Lease or Purchase in IT '93-94) 03 '1& -/0 I'J'NO~ ill' . '~ ' '" 35:0280 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. -3- 10/26/93 3. PUBLIC INFORMATION PLAN ()/.30 -3'0 "ITEMS FROM COUNCIL- MEMBERS" ON WORK SESSION AGENDAS 0"0.;)0 NJ.r- ADJOURNMENT ATTEST: 35:0281 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. I 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 I -4- 10/26/93