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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-27-2021 MCC Special City of San Bernardino 201 North E Street San Bernardino, CA 92401 http://www.sbcity.org MINUTES FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ACTING AS THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ACTING AS THE SUCCESSOR HOUSING AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ACTING AS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, AND MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ACTING AS THE SAN BERNARDINO JOIN POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2021 5:30 PM CALL TO ORDER The Special Meeting of the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino was called to order at 5:33 PM by Mayor John Valdivia on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, via Web-Conference. Attendee Name Present Absent Late Arrived Council Member, Ward 1 Theodore Sanchez    Mayor Pro-Tem, Ward 2 Sandra Ibarra    Council Member, Ward 3 Juan Figueroa    Council Member, Ward 4 Fred Shorett    Council Member, Ward 5 Ben Reynoso    Council Member, Ward 6 Kimberly Calvin    Council Member, Ward 7 Damon L. Alexander    Mayor John Valdivia    City Manager Robert D. Field    City Attorney Sonia Carvalho    City Clerk Genoveva Rocha    INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Valdivia asked Council Member Sanchez to lead the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Mayor John Valdivia Council Members Theodore Sanchez Sandra Ibarra Juan Figueroa Fred Shorett Ben Reynoso Kimberly Calvin Damon L. Alexander Special Meeting Minutes January 27, 2021 Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 2 Printed 12/3/2020 The items were heard out of agenda order. The Staff Report and Presentations were moved before Public Comments. STAFF REPORT 1. Mayor and City Council Workshop - Carousel Mall Presentations (Ward 1) Recommendation It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, conduct a workshop to allow each of the two development teams to present their concept for the future development of the Carousel Mall property. The final selection of a preferred developer is not under consideration as part of the workshop. SCG America provided information on their company and presented their concept for the future development of the Carousel Mall property. Council Member Reynoso inquired if SCG America would consider entering into a Community Benefits Agreement, asked about future upkeep, environmental design and sustainability, and the average rental rates of the proposed housing units. Council Member Reynoso also commented on engaging with residents and members of the public. Council Member Shorett asked about the proposed state of the art theatre, expressed concerns about the future retail, and commented on the City’s participation in the public/private partnership. Council Member Alexander inquired if SCG America plans on keeping the parking lot across from the California Theatre, addressed concerns regarding the impact on traffic, repaving streets around the project after completion of construction, and the possibility of utilizing charging stations and solar panels. Council Member Figueroa commented on the walkability of the design and the incorporation of nearby transit and would like to see historical architectural character in the new development. Council Member Calvin commented on the average size and affordability of the proposed housing units, potential parking fees, and inquired if SCG America has given any elected City official any donations or contributions. Mayor Pro Tem Ibarra commented on the median income of residents of San Bernardino and the possibility of low-to-moderate income housing units. Mayor and City Council recessed at 7:11 p.m. after the first presentation from SCG America and returned with all members present at 7:20 p.m. Special Meeting Minutes January 27, 2021 Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 3 Printed 12/3/2020 ICO Real Estate Group provided information on their companies and presented their concept for the future development of the Carousel Mall property. Council Member Shorett thanked ICO Real Estate Group for their presentation and participation. Mayor Valdivia asked how ICO Real Estate Group calculated the amount of jobs that would be created. Council Member Reynoso inquired how familiar ICO Real Estate Group is with the demographics of San Bernardino and asked how they will be engaging the community during the pandemic. Council Member Reynoso also commented on the environmental design, sustainability, and storm water management. Council Member Alexander inquired as to the length of construction time and if ICO Real Estate Group has looked into development of buildings across from the Carousel Mall property. Council Member Alexander also asked how ICO Real Estate Group would engage the minority and small business enterprises. Council Member Calvin commented on the possibility of revitalizing Route 66, inquired if ICO Real Estate Group would enter into negotiations with unions to ensure that the new construction jobs will be prevailing wage, and asked if current businesses will be included in the development plan. City Manager Field advised that this item will be brought back to the City Council for further discussion on March 3, 2021 and provided information on the demolition process. Council Member Calvin asked if a company has been chosen for the demolition and if the City is paying for the demolition. City Manager Field advised that a company has not been chosen and an item will be brought back to City Council shortly regarding demolition. Mr. Field also advised that the City is paying for the demolition, however the cost will be covered through the sale of the property, and informed the Mayor and City Council that the City is still seeking grant funding to cover the potential costs. Council Member Reynoso asked City Council and staff to start taking steps towards a right of return. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS LISTED ON THE AGENDA Gigi Casero, Kevin D., Faran Dozer, would like to see the Carousel Mall converted to a sports arena for professional sports and community engagement events. Special Meeting Minutes January 27, 2021 Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 4 Printed 12/3/2020 Anonymous, Vanessa Melecio, asked questions regarding housing, transportation, and the future upkeep of the new development. David Friedman, Howard Freidman, Phyllis, Zelda, Mike Gallo, Janet, Jeanette McKay, Jocelyn Duarte, spoke in support of ICO Real Estate Group and Renaissance Downtowns USA. Amelia Lopez, commented on both developers considering the City’s demographics and also to consider the entryways into the downtown area. Dominique Lowhart, Leslie Duarte, Evelyn Everhart, Jeff Green, Kirk Uvardi, Arely Lopez, Sara Luna, Reed, Peter Sisman, Amy Vasquez, Alejandro Gutierrez, Daniel, Christopher Gonzalez, Amanda Maldonado, Matthew Snyder, Jacob Irwin, Ana Vasquez, concerned citizen, Treasure Ortiz, Michael Munoz, Jessie Sandoval, Jacob, Athena Dan, Chris Barca, Eva Vasquez, Maria Zavala, Mario Vasquez, Jessica, Catherine Lopez, Mireya, Daryl Smith, Monique Magallon, Daniel, Alex, Mary Valdimar, Travis, Lopez, Eddie Sanchez, Jody Eisenberg, Ana Gonzalez, Michael Segura, addressed concerns regarding the lack of community engagement, using developers from the City of San Bernardino, the need for a Community Benefits Agreement, and the need for homeless and low income housing. Danya Ramirez, Danny Ramirez, asked City Council to keep revenue and local talent in the City. Miguel Guerrero, proposed that the Carousel Mall be developed into a university to provide more medical personnel or as a hospital. Azar, addressed concerns over the design and pedestrian walkability. Anonymous, Amanda Carson, Takyia, Abigail Medina, Elena, Monique Navarro, Robert Porter, Anonymous, Timothy, Gustavo Hurtado, Jr., Dave Neagan, Esmeralda Vasquez Senior District Representative for Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gomez Reyes, spoke in support of the redevelopment of the Carousel Mall. Leticia Garcia, requested that City Council reconsider working with SCG America. Emily Vasquez, Roxanna Barrera, asked City Council to listen to the ideas of the residents and engage members of the public. Keneisha, spoke in support of SCG America. Carol Baez, spoke on subsidized housing for those affected by construction, bike lanes for the surrounding area and a food lab. Special Meeting Minutes January 27, 2021 Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 5 Printed 12/3/2020 ADJOURNMENT The meeting of the Mayor and City Council was adjourned at 11:10 p.m. The next joint regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council and the Mayor and City Council Acting as the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency will be held on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 via tele-conference. Closed Session will begin at 5:30 p.m. and Open Session will begin at 7:00 p.m. BY: Genoveva Rocha, CMC City Clerk