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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMAY 5,1992 I I Of/D _ ~o oS-O~q:L Cc. / It IS II: 34:0115 CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK ROLL CALL CITY COUNCIL ROLL CALL SCHOOL BOARD o ':>IS:- -~ 0 1-)0 -:lif? ri() d) MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA and ARCADIA BOARD OF EDUCATION STUDY SESSION Hay 5, 1992 The Arcadia City Council and the Board of Education of the Arcadia Unified School District, met at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, Hay 5, 1992, in the Conference Room of the City Hall Council Chambers. PRESENT: Councilmen Ciraulo, Harbicht, Loj eski, Hargett and Fasching None ABSENT: PRESENT: Members Bryant, Gibson, Lamb, _Dougherty and Steinmeier None ABSENT: Others in attendance: Dr. Terrence Towner, Superintendent of Schools George Watts, City Manager Michael Miller, City Attorney This j oint meeting was scheduled primarily to discuss the possible construction of an auditorium within the City, and in particular at the site of the Arcadia High School, primarily for the benefit of the Arcadia Unified School District. The cost of construction would be borne by the City of Arcadia and the auditorium then turned over to the School District. Recently the City Council visited an auditorium built in the City of Duarte with redevelopment funds, at a cost of $2.3 to $2.6 million dollars, on redevelopment property with trade-offs of other parcels. The Duarte auditorium is adjacent to Northrup School. Councilman Harbicht's original visit to the Duarte Performing Arts Center provided the impetus for the City Council to explore the possibility of a similar structure in the City of Arcadia on school district property. As background information, Councilman Harbicht stated, in part, that in 1985 the City contracted with Wendell Mounce and Associates for a Civic Center Project Study. An auditorium was a part of that study with seating for 1,000 to 1,200 people at a cost of $12-$15 million, depending on the accoutrements. Based upon these figures, the auditorium was not a feasible project. There is still talk in the community of an auditorium which, when the above costs are adjusted for inflation, increases the cost considerably. Not too long ago, Councilman Harbicht attended a performance at the new Performing Arts Center in the City of Duarte. This auditorium is a very nice building, well done, not lavish, but certainly functional and attractive. Upon inquiry, the City Manager of Duarte informed Councilman Harbicht that the building cost somewhere around $2.5 million to construct, which does not 1 5/5/92 34: Oll6 include land cost. Councilman Harbicht believes this type of building at that cost could be a possibility for Arcadia in the near future. The Duarte auditorium has seating for approximately 500. The orchestra pi t area can accommodate 200 additional temporary seats, if needed. Councilman Harbicht commented that he would like to see the City build an auditorium such as this, at City cost; on or adjacent to a school campus, preferably Arcadia High School, then turn it over to the School District to manage and maintain, allowing the City a certain number of dates per year when the auditorium would be available to the City. This joint meeting was initiated to communicate this idea to the School Board, receive the Board's reaction and suggestions, and then decide whether or not to move forward with a project. The President of the School Board, Mrs. Steinmeier, expressed I the Board's appreciation for the opportunity to meet with Council and discuss the possibility of an auditorium. The School Board, she noted, is certainly interested in an auditorium for the huge performing arts programs in the District. Several members of the School Board have visited Duarte's auditorium since it has been open, therefore, they are familiar with the site and the building. Councilman Harbicht commented that before the City would consider building an auditorium for the School District, it would first have to be established that there is a need for an auditorium. Also, the City would need some sort of an estimate from the District as to the frequency of use the District would anticipate and the potential functions. Further, the size that would accommodate 85% of the events that the District would hold. If one event a year required a 2,000 seat auditorium, the City would not build a 2,000 seat auditorium just to accommodate all events up to that size. The disadvantage of an auditorium which is too large is, if most of the District's events are in the 400-500 attendance range, then a large auditorium dwarfs the audience and causes a poor showing. Therefore, he would like the School District staff to provide the City with an estimate of frequency of use. Dr. Towner noted that because of the lack of a facility, there are many programs that the School District does not attempt. Referring to frequency of use, if the School District had a facility there would be a lot more programming in drama, music and assemblies. At this time, the transportation factor is prohibitive for those functions that might be held elsewhere. Some of the concerts have 1,000 persons in the seating area as well as 400 to 500 playing musicians. Board Member Bryant related the history of the previous Auditorium Foundation which raised funds in support of the construction of an auditorium. This Foundation still I maintains $100,000 in,a bank trust account, the interest from which is given to the School District each year to pay for the rental of facilities and other items for the District. This Auditorium Foundation was trying to raise funds to construct a 1,200 seat auditorium. Member Bryant noted that the student population in Duarte is somewhere between 60% to 70% of the Arcadia School population. One of the issues raised by the Auditorium Foundation was, should the building be placed on school property and rented to others, in which case, they could not sell liquor. Liquor cannot be sold because that is the State law, and he believes this is a good law and does not challenge it. Mayor Fasching and others stated that this would not be an issue. SIZE OR SEATING CAPACITY Board Member Dougherty stated, in part, that she is very interested in an auditorium. Her first priority, of course, is rehabilitating the School District f~cilities. The 2 5/5/92 I I LOCATION OF AUDITORIUM 34:0117 District now rents the San Gabriel Civic Auditorium for larger school functions such as the three vertical concerts which are held each year. A vertical concert, she explained, features elementary school children, junior high and high school music performers. This enables the students to see the progression 0:: their musical potential. The San Gabriel Civic seats approximately 1,400. If an auditorium were to be constructed for the School District it would need to accommodate approximately 1,200 to 1,300 students which would amount to 1/2 of the high school student body. Member Dougherty mentioned the Rosemead High School auditorium which contains movable walls to divide up into smaller rooms and a mezzaninejbalcony type of arrangement. In reference to the high school graduations, 2,500 students are involved plus family and friends ... this event would still have to be held on the athletic field. The Council and School Board considered three assembly periods instead of one large assembly for the high school assemblies. Seating would still be needed for 800 to 900 students at each assembly period. Councilman Ciraulo noted that it sounds as if the Board is saying that to be practical, a school auditorium should seat around 1,000 rather than 500 which is the seating capacity of the Duarte Center if the temporary seating is not added. Further, the District has to plan for future growth also. While touring the Duarte auditorium, the Council had discussed the foyer area which could be enclosed to seat an additional 200 persons and would still stay within the framework of the building. Council had been told by Duarte school personnel that if the size of that building were increased to contain 1,000, 1,200 or 1,500 seats, the cost doesn't increase by just 20% or 30%, it could double or triple. However, in looking at that building, it appeared that with perhaps a little modification, it could comfortably accommodate 800 to 900 seats. The project, Mayor Fasching stated, would not be a performing arts center for the City on redevelopment property. The project would be for the schools and the City... and the children of the City first of all. The question arose of the size of the stage area at the Duarte building ... how many playing musicians could it accommodate? Arcadia has a, band of 160 performers. Mayor Fasching mentioned that the large area at the back of the stage could possibly be used also ... In the discussion of possible locations where an auditorium might be situated, it was generally agreed that Arcadia High School would be a very desirable location. The possible closure of El Monte Avenue was considered. Also, covering over the wash for parking. The idea of acquiring the property at the east end of the high school athletic field was' mentioned; is there no room at any of the other school sites? Could an auditorium be situated adjacent to the Library? Dr. Towner responded that the Library site would be too far away and would preclude use by most of the schools. ... if students leave campus to go to that site, the District would have real concerns about the District's ability to maintain control of the students plus the liability factor. He would rather have an auditorium on the high school campus. Further, an auditorium would be used by all the schools in the District . .. it would be a real centerpiece and a real asset to the whole performing arts program. Dr. Towner noted that other functions such as the tennis courts could be relocated ... the campus could be rearranged. Councilman Lojeski suggested that the Little Theatre at Arcadia High School could be replaced with a larger auditorium. The Duarte Center, it was noted, is 50,000 square feet, which Dr. Towner commented would take up quite a lot of real estate on the high school campus and would not fit on the same site as the Little Theatre. The 3 5/5/92 34: Oll7 (a) size of an auditorium ,ould determine the location on that campus. Board Member Dougherty stated, in part, that she is a strong advocate of closing Campus Drive and studying the possibility of locating an auditorium in that area. The primary reasoning for the closure is the high speed traffic on Campus when the Police Department is not present and the curb-to-curb U-turns by inexperienced drivers. If an auditorium were placed on that site, the parking could be located on both sides of the facility. This would keep the school population contained and would not provide access to the race track for the safety of the children. Board Member Bryant opposed the closing of Campus Drive. Councilman Ciraulo commented that El Monte Avenue at the west side of the high school campus could then be kept open for access from the race track to Santa Anita. I Mayor Fasching noted that this would transfer all the traffic from the track onto Duarte Road and eliminate student parking on Campus Drive; also the drop-off area on Campus would have to be redesigned and access to the high school would then be on Duarte Road and El Monte Avenue ... however, these are some things that could be considered. Board Member Bryant coounented that his concerns regarding the elimination of Campus Drive were mostly based on overall traffic flow through the City by the elimination of this east/west thoroughfare. The safety requirements were also a concern ... the access of fire and police to the rest of the City from Santa Anita Avenue, for example. President Steinmeier commented that traffic flow around the high school is already a major problem and should be addressed. COSTS Board Member Gibson commented that Duarte built its facility for approximately $2.5 million and the 1985 City plans for an auditorium were at a cost of $12 million ... what is the difference? Were the City's original plans for a Dorothy Chandler type of a facility, or is the difference in costs just in the size? Councilman Lojeski responded that the City's plans were more on the scale of the Dorothy Chandler facility the accoutrements in particular. The Duarte building has track lighting at the stage, for example, they do not have footlights, however things can be added later on. Mrs. Gibson asked if a realistic estimate could be obtained of the cost of a building to seat 500, 800 or 1,200. Councilman Harbicht commented that according to City of Duarte personnel there is "kind of a geometric progression as you expand the size ... part of it is because you need more and more land for additional parking, but also ... you just get into logistical things. The cost does tend to go up faster than just the seating". This is why the Council is just talking of building this same building with maybe a few changes, for much the same cost. It would be really radical to redesign it and the cost could be substantially more. Council also noted that the building is constructed of concrete block built to comply with school code requirements rather than City building codes. The building is an early California Mission design and very tastefully done, according to Councilman Margett Mayor Fasching reiterated that Arcadia High could accommodate the entire high school population by having three assemblies with 800 plus at each assembly. I The discussion turned to the general music program at the Arcadia schools, in particular, the elementary music program. Dr. Towner stated, in part, that the District is going to reduce the cost in the general fund for the elementary music program, however, the elementary program they think will still be exceptionally good ... but, a little different. This to questions from the Council in regard to rumors that the music program was to be eliminated. 4 5/5/92 I I 34:0117(b) Councilman Harbicht suggested that the Arcadia School District contact the Duarte School District for information as to how their rental program is progressing; also their projection for the next year since they have only been in operation for one year. Also, that the Arcadia School district consider the anticipated use they might have for an auditorium; that they arrive at some estimate of the size of the facility which would be needed to support their programs within the two standard deviations. Then bring the information and their thinking back to the City Council. Mayor Fasching agreed. In reference to the closure of Campus Drive, Councilman Harbicht said that he would be willing to study the possibility of utilizing that land for the auditorium and the parking. He sees this concept as a possible alternative. Further, the discussions about an auditorium in the past, 15 years ago, started with modest plans and then grew like "Topsy", and then died. Councilman Harbicht suggested that the School District not make up a "wish list", but a "doable" wish list. If it happens that a 500 or 800 seat auditorium just will not meet the District's need, then the School District should so inform Council. He will not support a 1,200 seat request. The City cannot afford it. A facility such as the auditorium in Duarte with an expansion into the foyer, and perhaps some sort of a roofed patio in front and temporary seating to accommodate a total of 800 to 900 seats is probably the limit. Anything beyond that would possibly cross over the threshold into something costing in the range of $6-12 million, This would then become, a much lower priority on his list of needs within the City. Dr. Towner stated, in part, that the School District would take a look at this offer in the context of a number of things, such as: the high school is approaching an enrollment of 3,000 students and the District must assess this fact against the impact of the need for additional classrooms; also what the increase of students might have on the parking situation and the current land use. Many things will have to be considered to determine where a theater can fit in. Council's suggestion of closing El Monte Avenue, also covering over the wash for parking is very attractive ... this could be the answer or at least a trade-off in moving the parking over to that area and placing an auditorium in closer although 17 additional classrooms must be placed first. The School District needs to review the concept of an auditorium in line with the whole concept of the building project that they soon hope to begin, which must be accomplished, and then architecturally, where the whole thing fits in. Dr. Towner further expressed his appreciation and that of the Board for the City Council's offer. The School District will follow-up on this aggressively. An 800-900 seat auditorium is a very good size for a whole lot of other uses other than high school assemblies, and as he stated earlier, sometimes the facility generates the use. They will certainly go back and study the matter and try to see where it fits. Other board members expressed their appreciation to Council for this exciting offer and the challenge for them to look at ways to arrive at an anticipated use facility that is cost effective. Mayor Fasching commented that Council would then wait to hear from the District and then schedule another meeting for discussion. ADJOURNMENT At 6:52 p. m. the Joint Meeting of the Arcadia City Council and the Arcadia Board of Education ADJO D sine d ATTEST: ~ 5 Fasch~ng, Mayor ~.,~~ ~S( J D. Alford, C' Cler~ 5/5/92