HomeMy WebLinkAboutRA Minutes 2004-06-21
SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 06/21/2004 Page 1
IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL, MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2004 AT 7:30 PM
Regular Meeting: Present: Albert J. Boro, Chairman
San Rafael Redevelopment Agency Cyr N. Miller, Vice-Chair
Paul M. Cohen, Member
Barbara Heller, Member
Gary O. Phillips, Member
Absent: None
Also Present: Rod Gould, Executive Director
Gary T. Ragghianti, Agency Attorney
Jeanne M. Leoncini, Agency Secretary
CLOSED SESSION – CONFERENCE ROOM 201
None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS OF AN URGENCY NATURE:8:21 PM
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Member Phillips moved and Member Miller seconded, to approve the following Consent Calendar item:
ITEM RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of Monday, June 7, Minutes approved as submitted.
2004 (AS)
AYES: MEMBERS: Cohen, Miller, Phillips and Chairman Boro
NOES: MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: MEMBERS: None
ABSTAINING: MEMBERS: Heller (due to absence from meeting)
PUBLIC HEARING:
2. CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE SAN
RAFAEL REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY BUDGETS FOR FISCAL YEARS 2003-2004 AND 2004-2005
BUDGET (MS) – FILE R-103 x (SRCC) 8-5
Assistant City Manager Ken Nordhoff stated this report proposed actions for the two fiscal years of the
current two-year Redevelopment Agency budget. He noted that last July, the Agency adopted a two-
year budget and laid out a specific set of spending plans and priorities, some of which he would
highlight this evening.
Mr. Nordhoff reported that a number of projects remained in progress or under consideration due to the
fact that bonds were issued in 1999. Funding that remained is committed to the Medway/Canal project,
Pickleweed Expansion, completion of the Third and C Street parking structure, and a small amount set
aside for administration, through 2008. Explaining the purpose for this, Mr. Nordhoff stated the Agency
staff had generated a five-year funding plan for the offices and staff, and the monies to do this had been
committed through 2008 as part of this budget plan.
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Indicating that for the first time low and moderate-income housing money was being used to assist in
the payment of debt service that related to the 1992 bond issue, Mr. Nordhoff stated that approximately
$292,000 would be used in this current year as an amendment, and also next year, in terms of paying
for that debt. He added this was a new item.
With regard to the amendments for fiscal year 2003-2004, Mr. Nordhoff stated that almost $3 million had
been added to recognize the cost of project expenses to date, particularly for the Pickleweed facility, as
well as the parking structure. He indicated these were not new monies, rather simply identified the
amount of appropriations necessary this year to match up with projected expenses.
Mr. Nordhoff stated the Agency had already approved a payment to the College of Marin, and this
budget modification had been made in a separate action last month. He stated that an obligation to the
San Rafael High School District was also included; therefore, payments to them had been increased by
$179,000.
Mr. Nordhoff stated that Exhibits 1, 2 and 3 summarized the revenues and expenses as adjusted and
identified the revised balances of the six funds for the current year.
Looking ahead to next year, Mr. Nordhoff stated there were some operational items that were a
reflection of some budget balancing coming from the City Council action on tonight’s agenda. This
included the addition of a Code Enforcement Officer to be paid from the low and moderate income
housing funds, some additional support for events run downtown, and the work performed by streets
and parks crews. Mr. Nordhoff stated that $15,000 of cost was being added, to be borne by the Special
Events budget, which relieved the City of that obligation for the coming year.
Mr. Nordhoff stated that Exhibits 4, 5 and 6 codified revenues, changes in expenses and the projected
balances. He indicated there was a series of monies identified as reserves that were set aside for
future projects, administration and an obligation to the High School District, and $1 million was set
aside for future housing programs.
Indicating that Economic Development Director Nancy Mackle had updated the Goals and Objectives,
included with the report, Mr. Nordhoff stated she would be happy to answer questions.
Chairman Boro declared the public hearing opened and there being no comment from the audience,
closed the public hearing.
Chairman Boro invited Ms. Mackle to address in general terms the future of the Agency and issues
under consideration with respect to the School District, the College Board, County, etc.
Ms. Mackle reported that staff had been working for some time evaluating the fiscal agreement with the
other taxing agencies to find a way to rearrange or amend it, in order to keep funding the Agency for
future years without having an impact on the other agencies. She indicated staff had a draft plan which
they believed would work. They were endeavoring to schedule meetings with the School District and
Rich Arrow’s office at the County, to work through it in more detail with their staff and consultants to
ensure it was correct and would work as envisioned. Ms. Mackle indicated it would take a few more
meetings over the summer for it to come together; however, staff was optimistic it would work, the
Agency would be funded and bonds would be issued in the future to do additional projects, as in the
past.
1) Member Heller moved and Member Phillips seconded, to adopt the Resolution.
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RESOLUTION NO. 2004-14 – RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE 2003-2004
BUDGET
AYES: MEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Miller, Phillips and Chairman Boro
NOES: MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: MEMBERS: None
2) Member Cohen moved and Member Miller seconded, to adopt the Resolution.
RESOLUTION NO. 2004-15 – RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE 2004-2005
BUDGET
AYES: MEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Miller, Phillips and Chairman Boro
NOES: MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: MEMBERS: None
AGENCY CONSIDERATION:
3. PRESENTATION OF DRAWINGS AND PLANS TO BE SUBMITTED TO MTC (METROPOLITAN
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION) FOR THE CANAL MEDWAY PROJECT (RA) –
FILE R-459 x (SRCC) 140
Economic Development Director Nancy Mackle reported three projects were being funded from 1999
bonds – Pickleweed Expansion, Parking Structure and the Canal Medway Street Improvements. She
indicated these were the types of projects where Agency staff works as team members with other
departments, i.e., Public Works and Community Services. Ms. Mackle stated that the team of
Stephanie Lovette, Economic Development Coordinator and Richard Landis, Administrative Supervisor,
Public Works, would present the plans for the Canal Medway project.
Ms. Lovette reported that a couple of years ago the Redevelopment Agency committed $250,000 to this
project, and a grant of $900,000 was received from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission-
Transportation for Livable Communities (MTC-TLC) for this project. She anticipated the plans would be
to MTC at the end of June.
Ms. Lovette explained that the project basically covers Medway Street, from East Francisco Boulevard
to Canal Street and is the major entrance to the Canal neighborhood, which is home to approximately
12,000 people. She noted that all of the Golden Gate Transit and school busses pass through that
area; it is an informal town square where people get off the bus from work, shop, and meet school
busses.
Stating it was an active commercial and industrial area with delivery trucks and auto uses, Ms. Lovette
indicated that the existing conditions could be seen from the first and second slides. Although
unattractive, she stated this was the area that anchored the neighborhood on one side with Pickleweed
on the other.
Referring to Slide 3, Ms. Lovette explained that a large part of the MTC grant process was focused on
community participation, which was gratifying to work on as it was possible to build on what had been
done in Canal Voice, in the Pickleweed Expansion, and also all of the work on community leadership
done by non-governmental organizations in the neighborhood. She believed the neighborhood was
now aware of the City, was becoming more excited about engaging, and City staff had also become
better at figuring out who neighborhood leaders were and how to engage the community.
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In terms of outreach, Ms. Lovette reported they worked with Amphion, consultants chosen by the
community. Questionnaires were distributed, they walked the streets and stood at bus stops to
ascertain what people wished to see. She indicated that a lot of community engagement was
conducted.
Ms. Lovette explained that a further slide depicted what people wanted, which was mainly wider
sidewalks.
Subsequent to garnering these opinions, Ms. Lovette reported that Amphion produced a plan, which
basically reconfigured the Canal Medway/Belvedere intersection to afford more pedestrian safety, less
pedestrian time in the intersection, acquainting people through intersection tabling, etc., that they now
were in a pedestrian area and carried out bulb-out to reduce the time in a crosswalk. She indicated that
more lighting was being installed, sidewalk widening would be carried out, and she noted the repeated
request for “más árboles” - more trees. Ms. Lovette also noted the request for a gateway at Francisco
Boulevard, similar to Terra Linda.
Ms. Lovette reported that staff was now working with Engineer, Doris Toy and Amphion to put the
concepts into the final design.
Richard Landis, Administrative Supervisor, Public Works, stated the project needed to be designed and
with MTC by June 30, 2004, and should this not happen, there would be no chance of obtaining the
capital funding associated with the project, noting there only was a partial approval at this time to spend
money on the final design. He stated the complication with this go around with the TLC (Transportation
for Livable Communities) project was that it is CalTrans’ money and brings a level of bureaucracy not
experienced previously.
Regarding the next steps, referring to a slide, Mr. Landis explained the final design was due in nine
days. A 90% design was received today which had been forwarded to MTC and CalTrans for their
review. Should all go as expected, over the summer, they would go through their final review process
and hopefully, approve the project as of September. The project would then go out to bid in November
with a three-four month construction timeline. He noted the work could be carried out very quickly.
Explaining the caveats, Mr. Landis stated the funds were by no means certain. This had to do with the
state budget crisis, the California Transportation Commission making final decisions in July for these
and other TLC projects. He indicated it was staff’s recommendation not to go forward with the project
unless formal assurances were received from CalTrans and MTC that the funds were available. Mr.
Landis stated that otherwise, the City would be in the position of having to front almost $1 million for the
project, which was not realistic at this time.
Regarding the second caveat, Mr. Landis explained it could be seen from the “after” slide what the
corridor would look like without the overhead utility lines, which were unattractive and added to its visual
negativity. He noted that participants repeatedly indicated their preference to remove those lines and
the proposal was submitted to MTC with that in mind. Mr. Landis stated staff had learned since then of
the ability to identify funds, approximately $500,000, to design and construct an underground utility
district, to remove the overhead lines and underground all utilities. The difficulty, he explained, was that
it would take two years from start to finish, to design and construct. Mr. Landis reported that staff had
approached MTC, met with the liaison, brought her to the project area and discussed the possibility of
delaying the streetscape portion for two years to carry out the undergrounding. Reporting that the
liaison was very open to the idea and although she ultimately would not be the decision-maker, Mr.
Landis stated staff wanted her to approach MTC in a formal manner. He added that the best project
was that without the overhead utility lines, which had general agreement amongst staff and most
importantly, in the community. He indicated that staff hoped the project could be delayed to
underground the utility lines to do it right.
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Member Heller stated it was her understanding that all Rule 20A program funds had been promised to
the Terra Linda community as the next project to be undergrounded.
Mr. Landis stated there was approximately $730,000 in hand presently for undergrounding. PG&E Rule
20A money was still being received, which was approximately $350,000 - $360,000 each year, and staff
was proposing the option of considering diverting some of those funds. He stated that in a very
preliminary way, staff believed it would cost approximately $500,000 for design and construction, which
could change. Mr. Landis stated it would be the Agency Board’s decision to consider that option.
Executive Director Rod Gould stated staff would present a separate agenda item with these choices and
the information when fully developed, for decision-making.
Reiterating Member Heller’s question, Member Cohen stated he would like to see some more on this as
he believed there was a commitment, and while this was a real opportunity, it needed to be balanced in
light of promises made.
Member Cohen inquired whether it was envisioned obtaining this money from CalTrans and MTC and
then holding it for two years, or would the money merely be allocated. Assuming the Rule 20A program
money was available, and in the absence of the issue just raised it was decided to proceed, he inquired
whether there would be a commitment, whether the funds would be in hand, or whether the indication
would be that it would be funded, making the money available in two years.
Agreeing this was the heart of the matter, Mr. Landis stated staff posed this question to the liaison, who
is relatively new to the project. He indicated that MTC and CalTrans’ decision would be to either hold
the money, giving a formal commitment that the funds would be available in two years, or make the
money available up front. Mr. Landis suspected the funds would not be available up front and he further
suspected they had probably over-obligated their grants.
Member Cohen expressed a need for caution, and while agreeing it would be a shame to miss the
opportunity to carry out the undergrounding, he believed it would be more of a shame to carry out the
undergrounding and lose the grant funding to do the project itself.
Regarding the transportation funding world presently, Member Cohen stated that projects ready to go
were being funded and future projects were being raided. He stated staff would have to verify that the
money was available, and assuming it was now, would have to think really hard about taking it and
going forward with the project without the undergrounding, as he was unsure whether even a promise it
would be there in two years would hold up.
Mr. Landis stated staff just wanted to pose the question to at least give the project a chance.
Referring to the section of the staff report which indicated there were 55 applications totaling $59
million, Chairman Boro reported that $9.5 million was allocated, and from this figure, San Rafael was
being allocated potentially $900,000. He stated staff and the community were to be congratulated on
presenting a project that could compete with others throughout the entire Bay Area at that level, which
was extremely commendable. Chairman Boro stated it made sense to at least explore the
undergrounding; however, concurred with Member Cohen’s expression of concern about transit funds.
From his own experience and the current experience on 101 and completion of the GAP Closure, he
noted money had a tendency to disappear. Chairman Boro stated he was more concerned about that
than possibly trying to explain postponing Terra Linda for a year and a half. He concurred with Member
Cohen that it was necessary to ensure there was a lock on these funds; otherwise, it would be wise to
obtain them and do whatever was possible. He thanked Ms. Lovette and Mr. Landis for their great
work.
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Chairman Boro invited comment from the audience.
Roger Roberts stated he was speaking as a private citizen who participated in a lot of Steering
Committee meetings for the General Plan 2020 and the Charette process, one of which involved the
Medway area. He inquired whether this Redevelopment proposal for the Medway corridor would be
consistent with the 2020 Vision. He indicated it appeared that a lot of time was spent thinking about
how to create a neighborhood character and entry in the 2020 plan for that particular area and it would
be a mistake to go forward with this project, even at this late date, should it not be consistent with the
2020 General Plan.
Economic Development Coordinator Stephanie Lovette confirmed it was consistent with General Plan
2020.
Member Cohen moved and Member Heller seconded, to accept the Plan.
AYES: MEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Miller, Phillips and Chairman Boro
NOES: MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: MEMBERS: None
AGENCY MEMBER REPORTS
:
San Rafael City Plaza: - File R-423 x R-140#8
4.
Thanking the Agency Board for working with the Business Improvement District to place furniture in the
Plaza, Economic Development Director Nancy Mackle reported that it was installed today and she
distributed pictures.
There being no further business, the San Rafael Redevelopment Agencymeeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM.
__________________________________
JEANNE M. LEONCINI, Agency Secretary
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