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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 11558 (College of Marin Construction Funding)RESOLUTION NO. 11558 RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL MAKING FINDINGS REQUIRED BY HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 33445, COMMITTING FUNDS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF CERTAIN SCHOOL FACILITIES AT COLLEGE OF MARIN AND TAKING RELATED ACTIONS ($368,988) WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of San Rafael (the "City Council") adopted the Redevelopment Plan for the Central San Rafael Redevelopment Project Area (the 'Redevelopment Plan") on November 20, 1972, by Ordinance No. 1079, as amended, affecting the Central San Rafael Redevelopment Project Area (the "Project Area"); and WHEREAS, the City Council adopted the Third Amended and Restated Redevelopment Plan for the Central San Rafael Redevelopment Project Area (the "Restated Redevelopment Plan") on August 19, 2002, by Ordinance No. 1786; and WHEREAS, the San Rafael Redevelopment Agency (the "Agency") is vested with responsibility pursuant to the Community Redevelopment Law (Part I of Division 24 of the Health and Safety Code of the State of California) (the "Law") to implement the Redevelopment Plan in the Project Area; and WHEREAS, the College of Marin ("COM") intends to improve certain school Facilities as set forth in the attached Project list owned or operated by COM (the "Facilities") which are located within the Project Area or which serve Project Area residents; and WHEREAS, the Agency desires to expend funds for the construction of the Facilities; and WHEREAS, construction of the Facilities has been found to conform to the General Plan of the City; and WHEREAS, Agency expenditures for the Facilities improve educational opportunities and provide expanded economic opportunities in the community, thus assisting in the redevelopment of the Project Area, all as more fully outlined in the Section Report 33679; and WHEREAS, this summary was prepared and considered by the City Council, the Agency, and COM, and was made available to the public as provided in Section 33679 of the Law (the "Section 33679 Summary"), which summary (1) estimates the amount of funds to be used by the Agency for the Facilities, (2) sets forth facts supporting the findings made in this Resolution pursuant to Section 33445 of the Law, and (3) sets forth RI I N AL ����� the redevelopment purpose to be served by the proposed Agency expenditure for the Facilities; and WHEREAS, on April 20, 2004 the COM conducted a duly noticed public hearing pursuant to Section 33679 of the Law to obtain and consider public testimony regarding the expenditures proposed to be made by the Agency for the Facilities; and WHEREAS, on May 17, 2004, the City Council and the Agency conducted a duly noticed public hearing pursuant to Section 33679 of the Law to obtain and consider public testimony regarding the expenditures proposed to be made by the Agency for the Facilities; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 33445 of the Law, the Agency may, with the consent of the City Council, pay part or all of the installation of the Facilities, if the City Council and the District make certain specified findings; and WHEREAS, the COM made the required findings pursuant to Section 33445 of the Law by resolution adopted on April 20, 2004, following conduct of the public hearing further described above; and NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that based on information presented to the City Council, the Agency, and the COM, including the information provided in the Section 33679 Summary presented, and in compliance with the requirements of Section 33445 of the Law, the City Council resolves that: 1. All of the above recitals are true and correct, and the City Council has based the findings and actions set forth in this Resolution, in part, on such recitals. 2. The City Council hereby finds and determines that: (a) development of the Facilities will be of benefit to the Project Area; (b) no other reasonable method of financing the Facilities is available to the community; (c) development of the Facilities will assist in the elimination of one or more blighting conditions inside the Project Area; and (d) Agency assistance with the Facilities is consistent with the Agency's current Implementation Plan. The factual and analytical basis used by the City Council in making these findings and determinations is set forth in the Section 33679 Summary and in the staff report and materials regarding the Facilities provided to the City Council. 3. Subject to the conditions set forth in Paragraph 4 below, the City Council hereby consents to the expenditure of $ 368,987.64 for development of the Facilities by COM. 4. The Agency shall not expend any funds for the Facilities unless and until the City, the COM, and/or the Agency have completed all procedures and made all findings, in their sole and absolute discretion, required for such expenditure pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act. 5. The attached Exhibit A is incorporated in to this Resolution by this reference. 6. This Resolution shall take immediate effect from and after its passage and approval. I, JEANNE M. LEONCINI, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a special joint meeting of the San Rafael City Council and the San Rafael Redevelopment Agency held on the seventeenth day of May, 2004, by the following vote: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Miller, Phillips & Mayor Boro NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None Je e M. Leoncini, City Clerk Page 3 EXHIBIT A MARIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT PROJECT DESCRIPTION 1) Upgrade instructional facility/laboratory at the Marin Conservation Corps. The purpose of this project is to remodel existing facilities at the Marin Conservation Corps (MCC) so that ESL and basic skills instruction may be offered in a central location in the Canal Area of San Rafael where there is a high need for these services. This project involves reconstruction of space at the MCC and installing a movable soundproof wall so two classes can operate at the same time in the current location. The computer lab will have 16 computer stations and a server; the two classrooms will each seat 30 students. Computers and the server from the Education Resource Center have been donated by the county for use in this lab. Once construction is completed, the College will be able to offer 12 to 24 hours of ESL classes in the evenings and Saturdays and to staff the computer lab for 10-13 hours a week for computer- based ESL instruction. Tamalpais Adult Education will be able to offer basic skills instruction and GED preparation in the new lab, as they did at the former Education Resource Center. Operating costs (i.e. internet access, office supplies, etc.) are expected to be minimal and will be shared by all three organizations. The college will not pay rent to use the remodeled facility. Scone of work: 4) Installing a movable soundproof wall in a large classroom 5) Reconfiguring interior walls to create a lab/training room 6) Upgrading HVAC and electrical 7) Building computer workstations and cabinetry An additional $20,000 is required to complete this facility and ensure that it is equipped with up- to-date, functional instructional equipment. Estimated cost: $20,000 2) Development of a High -Tech Language Laboratory on the Kentfield campus for students in ESL and Modern Languages classes. This lab will support instruction with interactive, multi- media software for in -class or individual instruction to improve speaking, listening and pronunciation in the target languages. The ESL and Modern Languages Departments, combined, serve about 1500 students per semester -- about 700 are residents of San Rafael. Both ESL and Modern Language faculty stress the need for a high-tech system that would focus on speaking, listening and pronunciation, for classroom instruction and as an open lab. The current "state of the art" technology for language laboratories supports a variety of interactive, multi -media applications that are particularly helpful for improving pronunciation, speaking and listening. Faculty and employers stress that more students need more support in these areas, and the current facilities are not adequate. EXHIBIT A Page 4 Scone of nroiect The proposed new hi -tech language lab would be located in a existing underutilized computer lab on the Kentfield Campus, with 30 student stations and one instructor station, all linked through a state-of-the-art language lab system with a server and dedicated software. It will be constructed so that the lab will also be able to accommodate instruction in a traditional manner as well as with computers. This lab will offer the potential for ESL students and modern language students to interact, a prospect that is highly touted by faculty from both departments. Scone of work: Install and equip 31 multi -media work stations $121,000.00 Conversion of existing lab (construction & rewiring) 23.748.50 Total estimated cost $144,748.50 3) Development of an Information Literacy Center in the College of Marin library at Kentfield. Information literacy refers to the ability to access, evaluate, and use information effectively. It calls for a wide range of skills, including the ability: to use information to solve problems and make decisions; share knowledge using appropriate formats for intended audiences; use a variety of information resources (books, periodicals, electronic databases and intemet websites); and learn independently throughout life. This center will provide state-of-the- art technology to assist students in becoming information literate. In particular, the center will help students to: 1. Improve library research skills (to find material for their reports and projects). 2. Learn how to use electronic resources and reference books for class assignments. 3. Improve their communication skills. 4. Learn how to use information to solve problems and make decisions. 5. Share knowledge with intended audiences (teachers, classmates, family and friends). 6. Learn how to adapt to new teaching technologies. 7. Learn how to locate information about jobs, internships, county agencies, and personal interests. Approximately thirty per cent of the students at the Kentfield campus reside in San Rafael and use the library. The proposed Information Literacy Center will be located in an under-utilized space within the Library at the Kentfield Campus. A new room with appropriate wiring, HVAC, and light fixtures will be constructed within the library. It will contain 30 state -of the -art, appropriately equipped workstations to accommodate classroom instruction and open lab hours for students to work on the development of information literacy skills. Page 5 Scone of work Construction of room, incl. wiring & HVAC 50,000 Install and equip 30 work stations 50,000 Total estimated cost $100,000 4) Improve access to the Science Building: Building and reconstruction on the Science Building is needed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. A project has been defined which will address the following issues: • Correct the slope on the main entrance ramp and bridge to the Science Center to bring it into compliance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. • Create handicapped -accessible bathrooms (men and women) that meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. • Provide four drinking fountains that meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. • Provide handrails at all stairways (3) that meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. • Create a handicapped -accessible counter in the Science Center Office that meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The total cost of this project is $250,000. Funds from the San Rafael Redevelopment project would pay for $100,000 of this work and the remainder would be provided from College funds. Estimated contribution of San Rafael Redevelopment Funds: $100,000 Total estimated construction costs for the four projects: $ 364,749 Contingency $ 4,239 Total funds provided by SRRDA $ 368,988. S s1\schools\33445\33445 rda. rpt SUMMARY OF FINDINGS PURSUANT TO SECTION 33679 OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE Marin Community College District 1. Summary Of The Prop -ram. The San Rafael Redevelopment Agency (the "Agency") and the Marin Community College District ("COM") are proposing that the Agency assist financially in the development of and rehabilitation of facilities at several sites (the "Facilities") in, or serving residents of, the San Rafael Redevelopment Project Area (the "Project Area") as set forth in the attached Exhibit A. These facilities will allow people in the project area to participate in language and ESL classes in the community and at the College, in Science programs at the College, and in information literacy development in the College Library. The Agency would provide $368,988 for COM's development and rehabilitation of these facilities. Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 33445, the Agency is authorized, with the consent of the City, to pay part or all of the cost of constructing buildings and facilities that are publicly owned and are of benefit to the Project Area. The City must determine (a) that the public improvements are of benefit to the Project Area or to the immediate neighborhood in which the improvements are located, and (b) that assisting the development of the improvements will assist in the elimination of one or more blighting conditions inside the Project Area. The City and COM must each determine that there are no other reasonable means of financing the public improvements available to the Community. Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 33679, the City and COM are each required to hold a noticed public hearing on the proposed funding of the public improvements, and to make available to the public a summary of the proposed transaction containing the following information. II. Estimate Of The Amount Of Tax Increment To Be Used By The A2encv For The Construction Of The Facilities. The Agency would pay . $368,988 of tax increment to COM, which would use the funds to defray the cost of developing and rehabilitating the Facilities. III. Facts Sun_ nortin2 The Findings To Be Made Pursuant To Health And Safetv Code Section 33445. A. Facts SunnortinR The Finding That The Facilities Is Of Benefit To The Proiect Area Or The Immediate Neighborhood in Which the Proiect is Located. The classroom and language lab at Marin Conservation Corps offices located at 27 Larkspur Street, San Rafael is in the Project Area. The College of Marin is located outside of the Project Area but serves residents of the Project Area, the City of San Rafael and the County. Almost 60% of the non-credit ESL students at COM are from San Rafael. About 30% of all College of Marin students reside in San Rafael. The Canal neighborhood located within the Project Area has very few venues for language classes. Current language classes offered in the community have waiting lists due to space constraints. The construction and rehabilitation that will occur at COM and at the Marin Conservation Corps offices will substantially expand the capabilities and facilities currently utilized by Project Area residents. LC kwo EXHIBIT A B. Facts SupnortinR The Finding That There Are No Other Reasonable Means Of Financing The Facilities Available To Either The Citv Or COM. funding for school facilities is extremely limited. No other sources are available to COM to fund development and rehabilitation of the Facilities. The City has determined that it cannot provide funds for the Facilities without reducing essential City activities funding. Thus Agency participation is the only reasonable means of financing the Facilities available to the City and District. C Facts Supporting The Finding That Assisting The Facilities' Development Will Assist In The Elimination Of One Or More Blighting Conditions Inside The Proiect Area. Assisting the development and rehabilitation of the Facilities will assist in the elimination of blight inside the Project Area caused by the lack of complete utilization of property because it will substitute newly constructed and rehabilitated improvements educational facilities in place of the currently under utilized and inadequate facilities. The Facilities will also stimulate economic activity by providing better educational opportunities for Project Area residents. COM, the City and the Agency, hope to provide better qualified job seekers to employers and thereby preserve and enhance the Project Area's employment base and provide a stable and strong economic base, two of the specified goals of the Redevelopment Plan. D. Facts Supporting The Finding That Assisting The Development Of The Facilities Is Consistent With The Aaencv's Current Implementation Plan. The proposed project is included in the Central San Rafael Redevelopment Project Implementation Plan 2000/01-2004/05 as a project under the Public Facilities Improvements Program addressing the blight factor of a reduction or lack of proper utilization of property. IV. Redevelopment Pumose For Which Tax Increment Revenues Are Being Used To Pav For The Facilities. Assisting the development of the Facilities will increase educational opportunities for Project Area residents and increase their employment qualifications and potential. COM, the City and the Agency desire to provide better qualified job seekers to local employers and thereby to preserve and enhance the Project Area's employment base and provide a stable and strong economic base, two of the specified goals of the Redevelopment Plan. As stated in the Implementation Plan, the Agency focus for the five years addressed in the Plan includes the reduction in public facilities deficiencies, especially those that impact housing and job development. This improvement to public facilities will directly improve job development by increasing the education and skills of the Project Area residents.