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Home My WebLink AboutRA Minutes 2007-12-17SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 12/17/2007 Page 1 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL, MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2007 AT 7:30 PM Regular Meeting: San Rafael Redevelopment Agency Also Present: Ken Nordhoff, Executive Director Robert F. Epstein, Agency Attorney Esther C. Beirne, Agency Secretary CLOSED SESSION — CONFERENCE ROOM 201 None Present: Albert J. Boro, Chairman Greg Brockbank, Member Damon Connolly, Member Barbara Heller, Member Cyr N. Miller, Member Absent: None ORAL COMMUNICATIONS OF AN URGENCY NATURE: None. CONSENT CALENDAR: 7:35 PM Member Miller moved and Member Heller seconded, to approve the following Consent Calendar items: ITEM Approval of Minutes of Regular Meeting of December 3, and Special Meeting of December 10, 2007 (AS) 2. Monthly Investment Report for November, 2007 (Fin) — File R-123 3. Resolution Approving the Execution of a Loan to Marin Housing in an Amount Not to Exceed Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000) for the Purchase of a Below Market Rate Housing Unit (APN 179-471-25) (RA) — File R-173 x R-103 x (SRCC) 229 RECOMMENDED ACTION Minutes approved as submitted. Accepted Monthly Investment Report for November 2007, as presented. RESOLUTION NO. 2007-30 — RESOLUTION APPROVING THE EXECUTION OF A LOAN TO MARIN HOUSING IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($350,000) FOR THE PURCHASE OF A BELOW MARKET RATE HOUSING UNIT (APN 179-471-25) AYES: MEMBERS: Brockbank, Connolly, Heller, Miller and Chairman Boro NOES: MEMBERS: None ABSENT: MEMBERS: None ABSTAINING: MEMBERS: Brockbank and Connolly, from item #1 only. SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 12/17/2007 Page 1 SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 12/17/2007 Page 2 PUBLIC HEARING: 4. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE MID-TERM REVIEW OF THE CENTRAL SAN RAFAEL REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT FIVE-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 2005/06 - 2009/10 (RA) — FILE R-140 XIX x (SRCC) 140 Chairman Boro declared the public hearing opened. Indicating there were two reports before the Agency this evening - the mid -year review of the Five -Year Implementation Plan and a state required Annual Housing Report - Economic Development Director Nancy Mackle explained that Economic Development Coordinator Stephanie Lovette would present the Annual Housing Report and she (Ms. Mackle) would discuss the Implementation Plan. Ms. Mackle stated that along with the other departments, the Redevelopment Agency prepares Goals and Objectives and reports on them every six months; therefore, when departments report out on the two-year Goals and Objectives, the Redevelopment Agency would report in more detail. She noted the state requested a Five -Year Plan, with a mid -year review, together with an Annual Housing Report. Reporting that staff was working to ascertain whether additional Agency funds could be raised, Ms. Mackle stated the Agency Board authorized the hiring of consultants to do this; however, initially the agreement with the County and other taxing agencies would be sought, and this was underway. She hoped to be back before the Agency Board next year regarding re -funding of the bonds. Regarding the Implementation Plan, Ms. Mackle noted projects included • Construction would commence on completion of the San Rafael Corporate Center in January, 2008; • Staff was working to get new businesses installed on West Francisco Boulevard. Utilities had been undergrounded and Nissan, Smart Car and VW and Audi dealerships were in progress; • Target had submitted an application at the Shoreline Center; • Extended Stay Hotel had opened; • Staff was working with Chrysler -Jeep to open a Chrysler -Jeep Dodge; • The Marin County Community Clinic and County Wellness Center would be located in East San Rafael; • Parking Garage opened; and • Completion of Pickleweed Community Center. There being no comment from the audience, Chairman Boro closed the public hearing. Regarding the Chrysler -Jeep Dodge dealership, Member Heller inquired as to the timeline. Ms. Mackle reported that they were in the process of obtaining their building permits and construction would probably not commence until the end of the rainy season. She noted discussions were underway with regard to the John Irish lot. Ms. Mackle confirmed that soil testing was currently taking place on the PG&E site on Brook Street. PG&E would like to work with the Redevelopment Agency to select a developer and ascertain the best remediation. She anticipated meeting with PG&E in February or March, 2008. Member Brockbank inquired whether there would be an opportunity in the near future to obtain more information about some of these projects. Mr. Nordhoff suggested staff could provide an update on a number of these issues at the City Council Retreat in late January, 2008. Member Miller moved and Member Connolly seconded, to adopt the Resolution SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 12/17/2007 Page 2 SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 12/17/2007 Page 3 RESOLUTION NO. 2007-31 — RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE REVIEW OF THE CENTRAL SAN RAFAEL REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA FIVE-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 2005/06 THROUGH 2009-2010 AT THE MID-TERM PERIOD AND APPROVING AMENDMENTS AYES: MEMBERS: Brockbank, Connolly, Heller, Miller and Chairman Boro NOES: MEMBERS: None ABSENT: MEMBERS: None AGENCY CONSIDERATION: 5. APPROVAL OF THE ANNUAL REPORT, INCLUDING A BLIGHT PROGRESS, AGENCY -OWNED PROPERTY, AND LOAN COMPLIANCE REPORTS FOR THE SAN RAFAEL REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, AND FORWARD TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL (RA) — FILE R-62 x (SRCC) 8-18 x 8-9 Economic Development Coordinator Stephanie Lovette stated these were compliance reports by the Agency annually for both the State Controller's office and the Office of Housing and Community Development at the state. They were in addition to the Audit, providing more information on the Agency activities, both in housing and expenditures. She noted the Housing and Community Development report discussed how the Agency spent its Affordable Housing funds. Ms. Lovette explained that each Redevelopment Agency in the state was required to put aside 20% of their funds for affordable housing to increase and improve the supply of affordable housing for low and moderate income, together with very low income persons. San Rafael receives approximately $900,000 annually in housing funds which are spent in a variety of ways. She indicated that the Agency works with its non-profit partners to leverage other funding and programs. The Agency annually provides funding for the Rebuilding Together rehabilitation program, the Mediation program on tenants rights and the Housing 101 program at Ritter House, to help the homeless. Ms. Lovette reported that the Agency also works with its non-profit housing partners to help them acquire properties, which they manage with long-term affordability. Noting the report indicated the state was concerned about certain issues, therefore, requiring the Agency Board make certain findings, Ms. Lovette stated these included concern that the administrative expenses for the Agency on the Affordable Housing side were proportional to the housing as assisted by Agency funds. She indicated that San Rafael spends 33% of its funding on administration, including the administration of the Below Market Rate Affordable Ownership program with Marin Housing, and also the Below Market Rate Rental program, which she manages. Ms. Lovette noted there were approximately 30 apartment complexes in that program currently for which annual reports are received. She reported that the Agency also funds a Code Enforcement Officer, as well as her (Ms. Lovette) salary. Regarding a second area of concern by the state, Ms. Lovette reported that all of the funds in the program were being spent to assist people in the areas of need in terms of the affordability levels. In San Rafael, all of the Agency funds are spent on low income and very low income programs, with the exception of the administration of the ownership BMR (Below Market Rate), which is both low and moderate income. Ms. Lovette stated the state was also concerned about loans outstanding to the Redevelopment Agency; therefore, they wanted to see a loan report. She indicated that all of the loans made by the Agency had met their commitments, were fully funded and meeting Agency requirements in terms of affordability levels, etc. In conclusion, Ms. Lovette noted the state required a listing of Agency properties, included in this SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 12/17/2007 Page 3 SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 12/17/2007 Page 4 evening's packet. She reported that all of the Agency owned properties had a productive use on them, including parking downtown, with the exception of one lot on Andersen Drive, which was very steep and which staff had not yet figured out how to develop. Ms. Lovette stated staff was requesting the Agency Board approve the Annual Report of the Redevelopment Agency and forward it to the City Council, the legislative body making the actual findings required by state law. Member Connolly moved and Member Brockbank seconded, to approve the reports and forward to the City Council for review and approval. AYES: MEMBERS: Brockbank, Connolly, Heller, Miller and Chairman Boro NOES: MEMBERS: None ABSENT: MEMBERS: None 6. APPOINTMENT OF VICE -CHAIR FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR YEAR 2008 (AS) — FILE R-58 x R-140#8 x (SRCC) 9-1 Member Heller placed in nomination the name of Member Cyr Miller to serve as Vice -Chair of the San Rafael Redevelopment Agency for year 2008. Member Connolly seconded the motion, and Member Miller was elected Vice -Chair by acclamation for the year 2008. AYES: MEMBERS: Brockbank, Connolly, Heller, Miller and Chairman Boro NOES: MEMBERS: None ABSENT: MEMBERS: None AGENCY MEMBER REPORTS: 7. None. There being no further business, the San Rafael Redevelopment Agency meeting was adjourned at 7:45 PM. ESTHER C. BEIRNE, Agency Secretary SRRA MINUTES (Regular) 12/17/2007 Page 4