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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRA Minutes 1998-05-18SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 5/18/98 Page 1 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL, MONDAY, MAY 18, 1998 AT 8:00 PM Regular Meeting: Present: Albert J. Boro, Chairman San Rafael Redevelopment Agency: Paul M. Cohen, Councilmember Barbara Heller, Member Gary O. Phillips, Member Absent: Cyr N. Miller, Member Also Present: Rod Gould, Executive Director Gary T. Ragghianti, Agency Attorney Jeanne M. Leoncini, Agency Secretary CLOSED SESSION - 7:00 PM None. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS OF AN URGENCY NATURE: 8:08 PM None. CONSENT CALENDAR Member Phillips moved and Member Heller seconded, to approve the following Consent Calendar items: ITEM RECOMMENDED ACTION 1 2 3 Approval of Minutes Regular Meeting of Monday, May 4, 1998 (AS) Resolution Designating the Agency as the Responsible Agency and Designating the City as the Lead Agency for the Environmental Review Process for the Adoption of an Amended and Restated Central San Rafael Redevelopment Agency Plan (RA) - File R-140 XVII (1998) Approved as submitted. RESOLUTION NO. 98-17 RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE AGENCY AS THE RESPONSIBLE AGENCY AND DESIGNATING THE CITY AS THE LEAD AGENCY FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS FOR THE ADOPTION OF AN AMENDED AND RESTATED CENTRAL SAN RAFAEL REDEVELOPMENT PLAN. Resolution Authorizing Staff to Proceed With the RESOLUTION NO. 98-18 Process for Adoption of an Amended and Restated RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING Central San Rafael Redevelopment Plan and Directing STAFF TO PROCEED WITH Actions Related to the Adoption Process (RA) THE PROCESS FOR ADOPTION - File R-140 XVII OF AN AMENDED AND SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 5/18/98 Page 1 SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 5/18/98 Page 2 4. Monthly Investment Report (Admin. Svcs.) - File R-123 AYES: MEMBERS: Cohen, NOES: MEMBERS: None ABSENT: MEMBERS: Miller AGENCY CONSIDERATION: RESTATED CENTRAL SAN RAFAEL REDEVELOPMENT PLAN AND DIRECTING ACTIONS RELATED TO THE ADOPTION PROCESS. Accepted report. Heller, Phillips & Chairman Boro 5. SELECTION OF HOUSING DEVELOPER FOR THE CANAL AREA HOUSING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (RA) - File R-173 Chairman Boro announced this item would be continued to the meeting of 6/1/98, to allow for further review of the consultants. He asked Members Heller and Cohen to work with Economic Development Director Jake Ours in pursuing this issue. 6. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE REDWOOD EMPIRE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $5,000 FOR OPERATION OF THE CANAL AREA SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (RA) - File R-411 Economic Development Director Ours stated one of the issues raised during the Canal Voice was improving the business climate in the Canal. He reported that in looking at different ways to do this, and in conversations with the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, they realized there were business counselors available in the area, and noted that with a little more outreach, we could make better use of them. He stated this would be a program specifically targeted for Canal business people, to help with different types of decisions one might make in starting or running a business. He explained this would including such things as counseling on how to put a business plan together, how to do budgeting, and all the things that might come up. He noted this type of thing does happen quite a bit in the Downtown area, and the Agency was trying to make a special outreach into the Canal area with this program, and stated staff would be working with the Chamber of Commerce on this program. Elissa Giambastiani, President of the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, reported one of the problems they are likely going to have would be getting people's attention. Therefore, Senior Redevelopment Specialist Nancy Mackle had drafted a letter, which would be sent out under Chairman Boro's and Ms. Giambastiani's signatures, asking some of the Chamber's members who are located in the Canal to participate in a focus group. She believed this would provide very good insight as to whether or not this kind of approach would be appropriate. Now that there had been a lot of discussion between the Chamber, Mr. Ours and Ms. Mackle, as well as with the SBDC counselors, she felt they had a better approach and better targeting, and a greater chance that they would be able to reach those people they really want to reach. Member Heller asked if they would be working with the SCORE executives, or SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 5/18/98 Page 2 SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 5/18/98 Page 3 if this was a different program. Ms. Giambastiani stated the Small Business Administration had two hands, explaining they fund SCORE, which is comprised of volunteers, and they also fund the Small Business Development Centers, in conjunction with Community Colleges throughout the State, and those counselors are paid. Ms. Giambastiani reported they have both at the Chamber, two Small Business Development Center (SBDC) counselors, and two SCORE counselors, noting the Chamber provides counseling five days per week. She reported this program would be in conjunction with the Small Business Development Center, and the counselors would be paid. Chairman Boro asked Mr. Ours to keep the Agency advised as to the results of this program. Member Phillips asked if the counselors were bilingual? Mr. Ours reported they were not. Mr. Phillips asked if that would be a factor or an issue? Ms. Giambastiani stated she did not believe it would, explaining they were not looking for people who were just starting out, and most people who were already established in business usually had acquired a fair amount of English in order to do that. Chairman Boro asked if that could be addressed if it should become an issue? Mr. Ours stated that it could. Member Cohen noted the Resolution stipulates the amount is up to $5,000, based on usage, and asked that the Agency be given a report in a few months, showing how much was being used and how effective it has been. Mr. Ours stated he would report back to the Agency in three or four months. Member Phillips moved and Member Cohen seconded, to adopt the Resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 98-19 - RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE REDWOOD EMPIRE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $5,000 FOR OPERATION OF THE CANAL AREA SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. AYES: MEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Phillips & Chairman Boro NOES: MEMBERS: None ABSENT: MEMBERS: Miller 7. AGENCY MEMBER REPORTS: CLASSIC CAR PARADE - File R-181 x R-140 #8 Mayor Boro complimented Mr. Ours and Events Coordinator Brigitte Moran on a great Classic Car Parade last Saturday, noting it was an outstanding parade, attended by thousands of people. There being no further business to come before the Redevelopment Agency, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM. SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 5/18/98 Page 3 SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 5/18/98 Page 4 JEANNE M. LEONCINI, Agency Secretary SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 5/18/98 Page 4