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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRA Minutes 2001-01-16SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 01/16/2001 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL, TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2001 AT 7:30 PM Regular Meeting: San Rafael Redevelopment Agency Also Present: Rod Gould, Executive Director Gary T. Ragghianti, Agency Attorney Jeanne M. Leoncini, Agency Secretary ORAL COMMUNICATIONS OF AN URGENCY NATURE: None CONSENT CALENDAR: Present: Albert J. Boro, Chairman Cyr N. Miller, Vice -Chair Paul M. Cohen, Member Barbara Heller, Member Gary O. Phillips, Member Absent: None Member Phillips moved and Member Miller seconded, to approve the following Consent Calendar items: Page 1 ITEM RECOMMENDED ACTION 1. Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of Monday, Approved as submitted. December 18, 2000 (AS) 2. Monthly Investment Report for Month Ending November, Accepted Monthly Investment Report 2000 (MS) - File R-123 for Month Ending November, 2000, as presented. AYES: MEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Miller, Phillips and Chairman Boro NOES: MEMBERS: None ABSENT: MEMBERS: None AGENCY CONSIDERATION 3. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH WATRY DESIGN GROUP FOR THE CONCEPT AND DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PLANS OF THE NEW THIRD AND "C" STREETS PARKING GARAGE (RA) - FILE R-430 x (SRCC) 12-14 Katie Korzun, Senior Economic Development Planner, reminded the Agency that discussions on parking began in May, 1999 and in November, 2000, results of a financial model were reviewed and staff was given direction to proceed with building a 408 space, 5- story and basement structure on the corner of Third and "C" Streets, and to incorporate a hybrid revenue control system scenario, both human and machine, together with implementation of the Parking Services Manager position. Ms. Korzun stated that in terms of selecting a project designer for a venture of this size, several aspects were considered: • it was desirable to hire someone who specialized in building only parking structures; • someone who was in a position to respond to a short time frame; • was familiar with San Rafael; and • someone who could work with the community. SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 01/16/2001 Page 1 SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 01/16/2001 Page 2 Watry Design Group possessed all of these attributes, they generated all the material used in a clear, concise and rapid fashion and they were also familiar with San Rafael, having been the designer for the major parking structures at Wilson/Equity. Nick Watry, who is involved in this present project, was also involved, many years ago, with the design for the "A" Street parking structure. Ms. Korzun stated that the contract before the Agency this evening would take the project from the basic parameters up to being prepared to do construction documents, and would go through both concept design and design development. This would be achieved by beginning the design process with a public input session. Watry would facilitate this, focusing on a requirement of 408 spaces, 5 stories and a basement and what it might appear like. The question of whether a parking structure was needed would not be a consideration. Staff would carry out major solicitation, inviting all interested parties. The results of this meeting would be returned to the Agency in a brief synopsis. If agreement were reached the next step would be concept level plans, which Watry would generate. Having been evaluated at staff level, these concept plans would be presented at a Design Review Board meeting. Ms. Korzun stated that results from that meeting would be returned to the Agency and if a positive recommendation were received, another round of plans would be generated for a formal presentation at a Design Review Board meeting. However, Ms. Korzun cautioned that should this project cover more than two meetings it would require adding extra funds to the contract. Having presented to the Agency the Design Review Board's recommendations, Ms. Korzun stated that she felt staff could generate a Use Permit and the environmental documentation, with some assistance from Watry, especially since Nader Mansourian, Traffic Engineer, would do the traffic analysis. This would then be presented to the Planning Commission and brought back to the Agency. Ms. Korzun stated that as soon as the design process was underway, staff both at the Redevelopment Agency and the Community Development Department would be putting through a General Plan Amendment and a Zone Change amendment to get the additional height, as the structure selected would be taller than that allowed in the General Plan at present. The Community Development staff looked at the various alternatives with regard to a Variance or General Plan Amendment and recommended the General Plan Amendment. This would be running as a side issue and would be brought back at one culminating meeting. The total Contract amount is $98,000; part of which would be in the design development phase and part in the concept phase, but would be one contract. However, Ms. Korzun informed the Agency that if approved, a further contract for construction documents would be required, at approximately 5% - 6% of the hard construction costs (not to include the cost of the land), estimated to be $6.9 -million. The structure cost would eventually approach $8 -million, with the addition of bonding, Watry's fees, land purchase, etc. Ms. Korzun recommended hiring Watry Design Group and having the first concept meeting in the next two — three weeks, keeping the Agency informed of the project as it progresses. Member Cohen inquired as to the appearance of the structure when viewed from a distance. In particular, he mentioned Highway 101 and from the ridge around D Street, as this would be an important factor for the community. He stated that the framework in place for the Town Center project, when viewed from Highway 101, would be a significant feature of San Rafael's downtown skyline in a way, even with his construction experience, he had not perceived. This is something that should be considered for future projects. Ms. Korzun suggested that as the project comes together, she would work with Watry to pick some vantage points from which to view the structure. Watry subcontracts all the photomontages, so this is SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 01/16/2001 Page 2 SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 01/16/2001 Page 3 something which could be done on the side, expressing it would be important to be careful as to where the viewing points were selected. They do not add a percentage on for this subcontract, which could be part of the environmental review and used in the General Plan height issue. Member Cohen inquired about the additional charges for more than two Design Review Board meetings. Ms. Korzun replied that this would need to be negotiated, but it was her assumption that the project would be well designed and would only require the normal two meetings. If not, the requirements would have to be costed out and approved by the Agency before proceeding. Chairman Boro asked for clarification on computer-generated renderings (photomontages) and if these would be computerized designs, depicting views from different points of the City on a computer screen, or traditional models. Ms. Korzun stated this would be a picture put into the computer to give various versions of the appearance, but could not be modified on the screen. Chairman Boro, returning to Member Cohen's question on the impact from various perspectives, both up close and at a distance, requested Ms. Korzun pursue the cost of a computer generated product versus pictures from a single perspective. He continued that as major developers coming to San Rafael have been requested to do this, we should also, noting it would give a better understanding of the impact. Ms. Korzun stated that pictures could be taken from 5 — 6 vantage points, depicting the site as it is now and what it would look like with the structure, including the exact color and design, in place. This was what staff had costed out and she requested clarification on other scenarios. Executive Director Gould recommended approving the contract as proposed and staff would research the cost of additional computer modeling. Chairman Boro concluded it would be important to have a better representation of the project. Member Cohen moved and Member Phillips seconded, to adopt the Resolution, with the understanding that the items discussed would be pursued. RESOLUTION NO. 2001-1 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OFA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH WATRY DESIGN GROUP FOR CONCEPT AND DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PLANS OF THE NEW THIRD AND C STREETS PARKING GARAGE AYES MEMBERS: Cohen, NOES MEMBERS: None ABSENT: MEMBERS: None AGENCY MEMBER REPORTS: Heller, Miller, Phillips and Chairman Boro 4. Re: Citizens Advisory Committee on Redevelooment Dinner - File R-140 IV B Nancy Mackle, Economic Development Director, reminded Agency Members that the dinner with the Citizens Advisory Committee on Redevelopment would take place on February 1, 2001. There being no further business, the San Rafael Redevelopment Agency meeting was adjourned at 8:20 PM. JEANNE M. LEONCINI, Agency Secretary SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 01/16/2001 Page 3