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Home My WebLink AboutRA Minutes 2001-06-18SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 06/18/2001 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL, MONDAY, JULY 2, 2001 AT 7:30 PM Regular Meeting: San Rafael Redevelopment Agency Also Present: Rod Gould, Executive Director Gary Ragghianti, Agency Attorney Jeanne M. Leoncini, Agency Secretary ORAL COMMUNICATIONS OF AN URGENCY NATURE: Court Street Plaza Project: - File R-423 Present: Albert J. Boro, Chairman Cyr N. Miller, Vice -Chair Paul M. Cohen, Member Barbara Heller, Member Gary 0. Phillips, Member Absent: None 8:25 PM Page 1 Kevin Mott stated he appreciated the opportunity to address the Board with regard to the Court Street Plaza Project, commenting that he had been a homeowner and resident of San Rafael for almost twenty years. He noted that the Agency would decide this evening on whether to approve a bid for the project and strongly urged that they cease this waste of taxpayer money. He recalled that the City's stated purpose of the ill-fated millennium party was to celebrate not only a new century, but also to raise funds for the Court Street Plaza water feature, and taxpayers of the City were aware of the consequences of this party. Mr. Mott stated that to authorize an expenditure in excess of $1.5 -million for this project, subsequent to the loss the City incurred, would push the actual cost of this project to in excess of $3 -million. He noted that only two bids were received for the project and according to the Marin Independent Journal, Deputy Director Public Works Andrew Preston stated this reflects the glut of work in the public sector. Mr. Mott stated he did not doubt that costs have increased since the original estimates, and as a homeowner, he was aware of contractors bidding projects to reflect the fact that they are operating at full capacity. These types of bids are usually very expensive. He stated most homeowners drastically curtail or postpone projects until more favorable pricing prevails, unless the work is a necessity. He believed a water feature is not a necessity. According to the Marin IJ also, Mr. Mott noted that Public Works Director Dave Bernardi is recommending that the additional funds be generated from a $3.3 -million payment made by Fair, Isaac to the City, on canceling their Second Street Project. The IJ also reported that Andrew Preston stated "we have the money available and it is from contributions; it is all private money". Mr. Mott stated he would assume Mr. Bernardi and Mr. Preston were quoted correctly. His understanding of the Fair, Isaac payment, however, was that it was a penalty the City negotiated with them in the event they canceled the project, and was intended primarily, to reimburse the City for expenses incurred around infrastructure changes made to accommodate the Fair, Isaac Project. Mr. Mott strongly urged the Agency to reject approval of the expenditure, stating there are other priorities more deserving, and the monies could be utilized by more citizens than this project, which he believed, would primarily enhance a privately owned commercial building. He stated that should the City consider the fountain necessary, it should take the advice given to the lady in Sun Valley when she requested funds to repair her park, which was to the effect that she should raise half of it herself. SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 06/18/2001 Page 1 SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 06/18/2001 Page 2 CONSENT CALENDAR: Member Phillips moved and Member Miller seconded, to approve the following Consent Calendar items: ITEM Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of Monday, June 4, 2001 (AS) 2. Acceptance of Statement of Disclosure from John Alden, newly -appointed San Rafael Planning Commissioner (AS) - File (SRCC) 9-4-3 x 9-2-6 x R-140 #8 3. Report on Bid Opening and Adoption of Resolution Awarding Contract to Ghilotti Construction Company re Court Street Plaza, Project No. 019-4438-713-8000 (Bid Opening held on Tuesday, June 12, 2001) (PW) — File (SRCC) 4-1-532 x R-423 4. Report on Bid Opening and Adoption of Resolution Awarding Contract to Ghilotti Construction Company re Woodland Avenue Storm Drainage Improvements, Project No. 913-9013- 709-8000 (Bid Opening held on Tuesday, June 12, 2001) (PW) — File (SRCC) 4-1-533 x R-140 #8 RECOMMENDED ACTION Approved as submitted. Accepted Statement of Disclosure. RESOLUTION NO. 2001-20 — RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT FOR COURT STREET PLAZA TO GHILOTTI CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,570,102.00 (Lowest responsible bidder. RESOLUTION NO. 2001-21 — RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT FOR "WOODLAND AVENUE STORM DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS", PROJECT NO. 913-9013-709-8000, TO GHILOTTI CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, IN THE AMOUNT OF $690,469.80 (Lowest responsible bidder.) AYES: MEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Miller, Phillips and Chairman Boro NOES: MEMBERS: None ABSENT: MEMBERS: None AGENCY CONSIDERATION: 5. APPROVAL OF TWO-YEAR BUDGET FOR YEARS 2001/2003 (MS) — FILE R-103 x (SRCC) 8-5 Assistant Executive Director Nordhoff stated the Redevelopment Agency's Budget for the next two fiscal years was being presented for final consideration. A series of activities had been summarized, including housing projects and other projects in progress, and the report identified the necessary appropriations and expected revenues to cover expenses in the coming two years. He referenced the two new service options evaluated: 1. Funding the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce at a level of $37,500 for year 1 and $40,000 for year 2; and 2. Hiring a Special Events Assistant for the first year, at a cost of $20,000, to be offset by additional expected donations or contributions. Member Phillips, complimenting staff on the budget, moved and Member Cohen seconded, to adopt the Resolution. SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 06/18/2001 Page 2 SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 06/18/2001 Page 3 RESOLUTION NO. 2001-22 — RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEARS JULY 1, 2001 — JUNE 30, 2002 AND JULY 1, 2002 — JUNE 30, 2003 PROVIDING FOR THE APPROPRIATIONS AND EXPENDITURE OF ALL SUMS SET FORTH IN SAID BUDGET (IN THE AMOUNTS OF $5,361,601 AND $5,211,428, RESPECTIVELY) AYES: MEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Miller, Phillips and Chairman Boro NOES: MEMBERS: None ABSENT: MEMBERS: None RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH RITTER HOUSE FOR HOUSING SUPPORT PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $40,000 (RA) — FILE R-392 x R-173 Economic Development Director Nancy Mackle stated that in prior years the housing set-aside funds have been used to assist Ritter House in their Housing 101 program, and the item before the Board this evening was requesting a further year of funding, in the amount of $40,000. This program assists people in a variety of ways as detailed in the report, to procure and retain their housing. Ms. Mackle reported that Jim Schaefer, Past President and current Board Member of Ritter House, would introduce the new Executive Director, Bruce Jack. Jim Schaefer stated it was a pleasure to be present, under different circumstances, to introduce Bruce Jack, who replaces Rob Simon as Executive Director of Ritter House. He stated that Mr. Jack comes from Oakland and Ritter House is very happy to have him. Bruce Jack stated that pursuant to his couple of months at Ritter House, he felt fortunate to have been selected Executive Director and to work with the Agency on the important task of providing basic services to the homeless and working poor in San Rafael and Marin County. Mr. Jack reported that the old Day Service Center which houses the medical clinic, showers and laundry facility is substantially dismantled and hopefully will be removed from the property on Tuesday, with a new modular building, constructed to specification, expected to be delivered on Wednesday. This will include expanded medical clinic space, extra exam rooms, extra medical offices, showers and laundry facilities, together with full ADA accessibility. He thanked the Board for considering the request to continue the housing support services. Chairman Boro, on behalf of the Agency, stated there has been an excellent relationship between Ritter House, the City and the Community. He noted that Rob Simon had set a great example and the Agency was looking forward to working with Mr. Jack. Being cognizant of the fact that although he had only been at Ritter House for a few months, Chairman Boro appreciated the fact that Mr. Jack was pleased with his findings. He stated that Ritter House provides a much needed service in the community and the Agency was more than happy to support it. Member Cohen moved and Member Miller seconded, to adopt the Resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 2001-23 — RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH RITTER HOUSE FOR HOUSING SUPPORT PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $40,000 AYES: MEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Miller, Phillips and Chairman Boro NOES: MEMBERS: None ABSENT: MEMBERS: None There being no further business, the San Rafael Redevelopment Agency meeting was adjourned at 7:56 PM. JEANNE M. LEONCINI, Agency Secretary SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 06/18/2001 Page 3