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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-RDA Minutes REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE M I NUT E S REGULAR MEETING January 25, 1990 - 4:00 p.m. The meeting of the Redevelopment Committee was called to order by Committee Member Esther Estrada at 4:25 p.m., in the Redevelopment Agency Conference Room, Fourth Floor, City Hall, 300 North "D" Street, San Bernardino. ROLL CALL Roll call was taken with the following members being present: Committee Member Jess Flores; Committee Member Michael Maudsley, Committee Member Esther Estrada. Absent: None. STAFF PRESENT Robert J. Temple, Acting Executive Director, Redevelopment Agency; Dennis A. Barlow, Senior Assistant City Attorney; James E. Robbins, Deputy City Administrator; Phil Arvizo, Executive Assistant to the Council; John Hoeger, Manager of the Development Division, Redevelopment Agency; Barbara Lindseth, Manager of the Accounting Division, Redevelopment Agency, Ann Harris, Executive Director of Main Street, Inc.; Rachel Krasney, Administrative Assistant to the Mayor; Lorraine Velarde, Executive Assistant, Mayor's Office; Kaye Schurkens, Senior Planner, City of San Bernardino Planning Department; Jill Hammer, Recording Secretary. 1. Main Street Quarterly Report: September - December 1989 Ms. Ann Harris, Executive Director of Main Street, Inc. stated that the quarterly report was prepared in itemized sections which reflect the working contract currently in force between the Redevelopment Agency and Main Street, Inc. In each itemized section is noted the accomplishments which have been made in relation to that contracted task. Ms. Harris highlighted the following significant accomplishments noted in the report: a. Main Street is now printing 5,000 copies of its newsletter for distribution. b. Created an accurate data base and from that research designed a marketing brochure. Two brochures have also been printed to enable residents and visitors to participate in a walking tour of the historic sites located in downtown San Bernardino. 2 c. The Main Street Magic masquerade ball and Main Street Magic on the plaza which took place on October 27-28 was successful and received much positive publicity. d. The Main Street Program has been presented on several TV programs and radio talk shows in recent months. To date, 163 responses have been credited to those presentations. Councilman Flores asked how the numbers of the viewing audiences were calculated. Ms. Harris stated that those figures are available from the TV station itself based on the time of the day that the program is aired. e. Ms. Harris noted several of the projects of Main Street. Inc. that have been accomplished in cooperation with the Convention and Visitors Bureau, e.g.. Walking Tour brochure. f. A detailed update is being prepared in memo form to the Mayor and Common Council concerning the coordination of streetscape plans with the Omnitrans proposal. g. Master plans of some of the blocks downtown have been completed to aid in coordination of parking needs for the downtown area. h. The Facade Improvement Program is underway. The corresponding marketing brochure is being effectively utilized (filed). Individual businesses that will benefit from the program have been identified and contacted. This program is being coordinated with Larry Reed, Director of the City's Department of Building and Planning Services. i. Ms. Harris noted the square footages for retail/office/rehabilitated space filled as well as the square footages for the retained/expanded office spaces. She noted that the square footage statistics listed are only those businesses in which Main Street, Inc. had direct involvement. j. Ms. Harris noted the in-kind contributions by the private sector and reviewed the financial report. Mr. Hoeger asked if the data base that was created shows square footages of vacancies in individual bUildings. Ms. Harris answered affirmatively. Mr. Hoeger requested that the RDA be provided with a copy of those statistics. Committee Member Estrada asked about the status of the Transit Mall project. Ms. Harris stated that the final contract with Omnitrans to do their portion of the design is being presented to their board on February 7, 1990. Final Mayor and Common Council approval should be possible within 60-90 days. 2 January 25. 1990 ~nK - Committee Member Estrada asked how the Transit Mall project will tie in with the Streetscape Program. Ms. Harris stated that Omnitrans is working with the Main Street engineering firm to assure coordination of the design of the streetscape improvements desired by Main Street as well as by Omnitrans. Committee Member Flores asked about the documentation associated with the square footages noted in (i) above. Ms. Harris stated that she researches the information which provides these statistics. e.g., employment bases before and after building rehabilitation. past and present business locations, etc. The total net gain of square footages is calculated on an annual basis. RECOMMENDATION For discussion only. No recommendation. No action. , 2. Audit Management Letter Ms. Barbara Lindseth, Accounting Manager for the RDA. noted the audit management letter authored by Eadie and Payne for FY 1988-89. Ms. Lindseth stated that the suggestion was made in the audit management letter to computerize the fund accounting system which is presently done manually. Approval has already been received for this change, and the system should be operational by the end of this fiscal year. Ms. Lindseth stated that the second suggestion that was made was to institute a penalty interest payment on notes receivable that are not made on a timely basis. Ms. Lindseth asked the Committee members present if the reporting of bad payment practices to credit agencies could be used as an incentive for timely payment. Committee members concurred that this approach would be acceptable. Committee Member Maudsley stated that he believes the general policy regarding notes receivable needs to be revised to allow the Agency to take stricter steps to assure timely payment of notes. Mr. Barlow stated that a policy change of this type would need to be approved by the Redevelopment Committee and the Community Development Commission. Ms. Lindseth continued by stating that the note which brought the issue to the attention of staff is with Roger's Bindery, and payment is consistently made late by that company. There is no penalty for late payment included in the language of the Note, only the provision that the RDA can call the note due and payable. Discussion ensued on the agreement with Roger's Bindery. Committee members concurred that Roger's Bindery needs to be contacted in writing concerning the new payment gUidelines. RECOMMENDATION For discussion only. No recommendation. No action. 3 January 25, 1990 ~<;~?v ... 3. 1989-1990 Budget Adoption Mr. Temple stated that a summary statement of the 1989-1990 budget is attached to the staff report for information. Mr. Temple stated that approval of this budget does not negate the responsibility of staff to seek approval from the Redevelopment Committee for major purchase requests or an amendment to a particular section of the budget. RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommended that the attached agenda item and proposed fiscal year 1989-90 budget be forwarded to the Community Development Commission meeting scheduled for February 5, 1990 with the stipulation that no new positions are authorized without Commission appproval. ' 4. Greenleaf/Neeley Owner Participation Agreement (OPA) Mr. Temple reviewed the following attachments to the staff report with Committee members: a. Sequence of Events b. Keyser Marton Associates. Inc. study which validates the need for public financial assistance for the project. c. Correspondence dated January 9, 1990 from former RDA Executive Director Steven H. Dukett requested from Mayor Holcomb. d. Status report from Greenleaf Development Company dated January 18, 1990. e. Proposed OPA Agreement Mr. Arvizo asked what the concerns of Mayor Holcomb are. Mr. Temple responded by stating that the Mayor has questioned if this project is the best use of RDA funds. Discussion ensued concerning the background of the negotiations with Greenleaf/Neeley. The key issue discussed was whether public assistance could be granted on a reimbursement basis. Mr. Hoeger stated emphatically that it was not until February, 1989, that staff received legal advice confirming that public assistance granted on a reimbursement basis would be termed "gift of of public funds," which is a violation of the California Constitution. Mr. Hoeger feels that it is reasonable to conclude that it was communicated by staff in some form that it was acceptable for the development company to construct the drainage channel in question and then apply for reimbursement after the project was completed. 4 January 25, 1990 3532K Committee Member Flores asked how the assistance would create an enthusiasm for leasing in the area, which has proven to be difficult in the past. Mr. Hoeger responded that the leasing advantage could not be documented; however, the assistance would serve as incentive to complete Phase II. Leasing "choices" in the area is an important marketing tool to consider concerning this project. Committee Member Flores asked what improvements would be funded in Phase II with the financial assistance. Mr. Hoeger stated that approved procedure for disbursement of the funds is proof of purchase of more than that amount in development fees. RECOMMENDATION The Committee approved that the item be forwarded to the Commission meeting scheduled for February 5, 1990. CLOSED SESSION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(b)(1). the Redevelopment Committee of the Community Development Commission/Redevelopment Agency of the City of San Bernardino convened in closed session with its attorney regarding pending litigation as there is significant exposure to litigation. The Redevelopment Committee reconvened from closed session at 5:55 p.m. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting of January 25, 1990 was adjourned at 5:55 p.m. 5 January 25, 1990 3532 K