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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR04-Redevelopment Agency ,I " o o o o MINUTES - TAieudidT - o UPTOWN IlEDBVELOPMENT P&OJECT AllEA CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE April 20. 1989 2:30 P.M. Location: IlDA CODference 1.0011 A The meeting of the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Uptown I.edeveloplllent Project Ares was called to order by Chairllan Larry Willson at 2:40 p.... in the RDA CODference 8.0011, 300 North -D- Street. San Bernardino. California. COMMITTEE. MEMBBIlS PUSENT (Sub Area -A-) Dr./Mrs. 8.obert Krone Maria McNulty Scott Scheibe Cas Sermak Larry 8.. Willson (Sub Area -B-) Harry Holmes Alan Vivian STAFF RESENT Sue Gonzales, Project Manager. IDA Jill Hammer. Transcribing Secretary, RDA GUESTS PUSENT Nancy Davison. Project Manager, RDA Ji. Filarski. Property Owner - Sub Area -A- James 8.. I.ussell. Business Tenant - Sub Ares -B- Lee Strong. Downtown Focus John Wood. Project Manager, RDA * Excused Absence lloll Call 8.011 call was taken by the transcribing secretary. COMMITTEE MEMBBIlS ABSENT Manuel Acosta Larry W. Ammons Desi Nelson - ~ . . . o o o o o Approval of Minutes of March 16, 1989 Cf. Page 4, -D" Street Improvements, Sue Krone stated that Larry W. AmmOIl8 made the motion noted on the bottom of Page 4. The minutes will be amended to read that the motion was made by Larry W. AmmOIl8 and seconded by Alan Vivian. MOTION: That the Minutes of the Meeting of March 16, 1989 be approved as corrected. Moved by: Cas Sermak The motion was carried unan1mouBly. Seconded by: Scott Scheibe Introduction of Gueats Dr. Krone introduced Jim Pilarski to the ColDlllittee. He is a property owner on "D" Street in Sub Area "A-. Alan Vivian introduced James R. Russell to the COIDIIIittee. Mr. Russell stated that he OWllB Quality Slacks of California located at 1096 W. aiaIto Avenue (Sub Area "B") and presently employs 75 people. Sue Gonzalez introduced BDA staff members Nsncy Davison and John Wood, who requested to sttend the meetins to hear the presentation. Guest Speaker: Parkins and Iaprovement District Mr. Lee Strons was invited to speak to the CoIDIIIittee about Business and Parking Improvement DiBtricts. Mr. Strong represents the firm. Downtown Pocus. which specializes in the planning and revitalization efforts in downtown areas. Mr. Strong began his presentation by stating that he was requested to share information with the Committee concernins the financins option of establishing a Parkins and Business Improvement District (hereinafter called "District") within a targeted area of a city. At the request of BOllle "downtown" business people, who were haviDg great difficulties competing with new shopping centers and at the sue time havins difficulty organizing their local, downtown business people into a functional working unit. California legislature passed a law to allow tne formation of a District. Baa1cally. this creates a Chamber of COIDIIIerce for a target area. Each business located in the target area is assessed yearly to prOVide .predictable" funding. which is channelled back into the District in the form of improvl!llents that will benefit the bua1ness community in that area. A committee of bua1ness people is formed to establish guidelines by which the District will be governed and to administer the funds during the years that the District is in existence. -2- o o o o o The organization created by the business people is able to decide on a yearly basis what types of projects can be accOlllplished based on the avsilable funds. The assessed funds can be used in any way that justifies general prOlllotion of business activity in the area. Typically, the types of improvements which could be funded by this lleans lIight include, but not be limited to, sales prOlllotions, Christllas programs, generalllaintenance/cleanup, anti-graffiti and/or increased security efforts, landscaping, general improvements to parking lots, etc. The Process The process of establishing a District begins first with formation of a citizens group comprised of business people frOlll the target area who own/lease the businesses that will be assessed if the District is adopted. The citizens group can be foraaed after a mass mailing has been sent to all the businesses in the area. The mailing will need to ezplain that a citizens group is being foraaed for the purpose of creating a District in a targeted area and that any business person in the area is welCOllle to participate in a meeting which will explain the governing principles involved with adoption of a District. The citizens group will most likely need to meet on four separate occasions. At the first meeting, the citizens group will explore the types of projects that could be accomplished in the area during the next year with no real thought of the costs associated with those projects. At that time projects need to be decided on for the first year only. At another meeting, a realistic budget will need to be created. The boundsries of the target area will need to be deteraained next. The last thing to be accOlllplished by the citizens group, prior to establishment of the District, needs to be determination of the foraaula for deciding the amount of each assessment. The retail businessess usually derive the most benefit from the establishment of a Parking and Business Improvement District. Typically, the types of businesses that will derive a greater benefit will be assessed at a higher rate. Assessment foraaulas can be based on gross receipts, number of employees, business license fees, etc. The month that the assessment is exacted 1s very negotiable. The fact that every business in the targeted area will be assessed is not negotiable. Once the assessment foraaula is established, you have to apply that foraaula to the businesses in the area. Hopefully, that dollar amount will be close to the dollar amount deteraained in the budget for the area. The citizens group then must sell the program to the business people in the area. Contact is made by mail with all the businesses in the area explaining the particulars of the program as well as the anticipated benefits that will be experienced by the area. A personal contact is then made with each business owner/tenant in the targeted area. -3- o o o Mr. Strong stated tbat in most cases after tbe personal contact is I118de the citizens group can determine whether support for the program is present among the business owners/tenants. He continued stating that ezperience has ahown him that in most caaes 70% of those contacted will either actively support the program or not oppose it. 2S% of the business people will not Illlke a c01llll1 tlllent or will not he able to be contacted. Usually approximately S% of the business people will ezpress direct opposit1on. Given tbe above approximate percentagea, enougb support exists for tbe City to begin the actual process for adoption of tbe District. The City's first action will be to adopt a Resolution of Intention to establish a District and set a date for the Public Hearing. The City must ma11 a copy of the Resolut1on of Intent1on, whicb includes tbe legal boundaries of the area with an accompanyiq map, to every business in the targeted area. The City will then hold a Public Hearing, whicb is tbe forum for people to ezpress their opinions for or against the project. o The only restriction on tbe City Council at this point is that if tbere is a I118jority protest tbey cannot establisb tbe District. Protest is measured by tbe amount of tbe assessment. Exp: If tbe annual assessment is *100,000 and if enougb businesses protested tbat represented at least *SO,ooO of that aasessment, tben tbe City Counc11 would be cOUBtrained to not adopt the District. If tbe protest is less than tbe I118jority, then the City Council has tbe option of wbether to establisb tbe District or not to establisb the District. If tbe City Council approves tbe establishment of tbe District, then a separate agreement will be ezecuted witb the aformentioned citizens group. Mr. Strong emphasized that tbe Parking and Business Improvements District Program is not a City program. The City will most likely want to approve the budget and at the end of tbe year the Council would require an aud1t to document tbat the money was spent properly. Mr. Strong stated that it is bis opinion that there should be enough funds assessed for the citizens group to bire a staff person to administer the program. Mr. Strong stated that be typically works as a consultant to the citizens organizstion so that the citizens group can make appropriate decisions. Mr. Strong continued stating that he can "trouble shoot" various lines of thinking based on bis experience and education concerning tbis type of program. Mr. Strong stated that be is not qualified to provide legal counsel. Mr. Strong stated that once the City Council has adopted the Resolution of Intention bis services are nOrlll8lly terminated unless some extra ass1stance is needed to hire the staff person to administer the program. o Mr. Strong concluded his presentation by stressing the flexibility of the Parking and Business Improvement District Program. He stated that the program allows for the City, the property owner and the business tenant all to contribute to a common benefit for a targeted area of the City. -4- o o o o o Questions Mr. Willson asked who would hire the person to administrate the program. Mr. Strong stated that the person would most likely be an employee of the citizens organization. The administrator could also be hired as a cODBultant for the City. Cas Sermak asked why the property owner is not assessed when the property owner will also receive benefit frOll creation of such a District. Mr. Strong stated that this particular program does not assess property owners. There are numerous other legislative vehicles to assess property owners, if necessary. Mr. Willson briefly explained the parking consolidation project currently under discussion by the COIIIIIittee. He asked Mr. Strong's opinion of accOllplishing this type of project by lIeans of establishment of a District. Mr. Strong stated that if acquisition of property is involved establishment of a District is not an ideal ..ans to accOlllplish a parking project. Establishment of a District is a good funding tool if the parking project involves only basic physical improvements to allow for better parking. Mr. Willson asked if there would be any advantages granted to the COIIIIIittee's projects because the area of concern is a redevelopment project area. Mr. Strong responded stating that advantages would not be granted on the basis that the area is a redevelopment project area alone. Mr. Strong commented that generally cities/redevelopment agencies are cooperative partners to citizens groups who are willing to participate financially in projects for the common good of an area. Discussion Ms. Gonzales suggested that if the Committee is interested in pursuing this financing option for the parking consolidation project for the north side of Highland Avenue between Sierra Way and/or Arrowhead and "E" Street that the Committee should submit a request to the IDA that staff retain the services of a consultant to study the feasibility of establishing a Parking and Business Improvement District for the mutual benefit of all the businesses in the area. Mr. Willson asked Comm1ttee members if the consensus of the Committee was that there was a need to hire a consultant to study the feasibility of establishing a Parking and Business Improvement District. Mr. Willson continued expressing a secondary concern whether the Highland Avenue Parking Project should be accomplished by means of a self-help program or should the improvements be funded through assistance from the Redevelopment Agency. -5- o o o o o Ms. Gonzalez stated that the Committee has already discussed the positive benefits that would be created for the Uptown Project Ares if this parldna consolidation project on Highlsnd Avenue were completed. She continued stating that now the Committee needs to develop a successful strategy to accOllplish the project with the support of the property owners in the area. Much discussion ensued among COIIIIittee lIembers concernina the pros and cons of such an approach to accOllplish the parking consolidation project on the north aide of Highland Avenue. It was concluded that proposals would be solicited to study the feasibility of such a financina option for that area, but the COIIIIittee requested to be advised before a final determination vas made to fund the project by this method. MOTION: To request IDA to solicit at least 3 proposals to eatablish a .feasibility study for a Parkina and Business Improvement District for the Highland Avenue Consolidation Parkina Project. Moved by: Harry Holmes The motion was carried unanimously. Seconded by: Dr. Robert Krone North Side of Highland Avenue Parldna Consolidation Project Cas Sermak reported that the new owner of the beauty school, Mr. Bob Gross, purchased the two vacant houses behind his (Gross) business in order to develop a parking lot. -D- Street Corridor Ms. Gonzales reported that a response is currently beina prepared for the letter dated April 5, 1989 from the COllllittee to Steven H. Dukett Re -New Beginnings on 'D' Street." Dr. Krone presented a l2-m1nute video tape which he had produced of the ares between Eight and Tenth Streets on "D" Street. It should be noted that there are 3 double vacant lots and 2 single vacant lots in the area. Mrs. Krone stated that when the Miles House is IIlOved next to the Heritage House that the neighborhood has a real opportunity to regain sOlie of its original personality even with only some basic outside facade improvements. Love Thy Neighborhood Ms. Gonzalez reviewed the "Love Thy Neighborhood Program" Press Release included in the agenda package. Ms. Gonzalez stated that the program, if adopted, is to be fashioned after a similar program currently at work in the City of Garden Grove. -6- 1 - - o o o Ms. Gonzalez stated that the progrBID will be funded using a portion of the 20% low-and .oderate-income housing redevelopment set aside funds. Exterior improvements (including paint) and 0-5% loans are BIDong some of the benefits offered by the progrBID. MOTION: That the Uptown Citizens Advisory Committee endorse the Mayor's new "Love Thy Neighborhood" Program. Moved by: Dr. Robert Krone The motion was carried unanimously. Seconded by: Harry Holmes Ma. Gonzalez concluded her presentation by stating that she would keep the Committee updated on all developments associated with this program. Aesthetic laprovements to the "E" Street Corridor Mr. Gary Wagoner was not able to be present at this meeting. He will update the Committee on this project at the May, 1989 lIeeting. Uptown Project Area Survey Mr. Willson reviewed the written results of the Uptown Project Area Property Owner Survey with the Committee (original filed). o Harry Holmes questioned what practical ways could the survey results be used to benefit the Uptown Project Area. Ms. Gonzalez asked the Committee what they as a Committee wished to accomplish using the survey as a resource. Scott Scheibe suggested providing some of our survey information to interested commercial brokers for the area. Ms. Gonzalez suggested that a meeting time be scheduled with Harry Holmes to discuss some mutually acceptable ways to make best use of the survey results. Ms. Gonzalez encouraged the Committee to set its goals on projects that will have large spin-off effects for the entire area rather than several small projects. Uptown CAC Meabership Mr. Willson stated that he would contact Desi Nelson to ascertain if he is still interested in serving on the Committee. Harry Hollies suggested that the respondents of the Uptown Property Owner Survey be researched to see if any of the respondents that reside or do business in Sub Area "B" would be interested in serving on the Uptown CAC. o -7- . o o o Iisl Jl G.. .~ - - - o o Al Vivian introduced Jalles I.. Russell. owner of Quality Slacks of California. to the COIlIII1ttee. Mr. Russell apressed an interest in serviug on the Colllll1ttee. Be stated that he would be available to meet with the Colllll1ttee on most aeeUug dates. MOTION: That Jues I.. Russell be appointed by the COIIIIIunity Development COIIIII1ssion to represent Sub Ares -B- on the Uptown Citizens Advisory COIIIII1ttee. Moved by: Alan Vivian The IIOUon was carried unanimously. Seconded by: Barry Bolmes Mr. Willson aplained to Mr. Russell that a prelilll1nary resUme fom would be sent to hill via lI&il. When completed. that fom will be presented to Councilman Jess Flores who represents Ward 3 in the City for spproval. After Councilll&n's Flores approval is obtained. approval from the Community Development COIIIII1sa1on will be sought. Mr. Willson continued explainiug that it would be acceptable for Mr. Russell to attend Committee lIeetiugs until foraal Colllll1ssion approval is received. Other Business Scott Scheibe asked if there was more information available on the proposed auto repair facility development to be located at the southeast corner of Tenth Street and -E- Street. Staff will research that question. Mr. Willson asked if there was further information on the new Graffiti Progru be1ug proposed to the Mayor and Common Council. It wss reported that new information concerning controlling graffiti within the City will be available at the May meeUug. Dr. and Mrs. Krone requested that a list of half-way houses and like establishments in the Uptown Project Area be provided to them. There beiug no further business. the meeting of April 20. 1989 was adjourned. Respectfully sublll1tted. ~ '-m . /Ja~n'U/r../ . Jill M. Bammer Transcribing Secretary jmh:3377K -8-