HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - April 4, 2006 - OBCITY OF AZUSA
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL, AND
I
THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
SPECIAL MEETING
MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2006 — 6:30 P. M.
The City Council of the City of Azusa met in special session at the above date and time at the
Azusa Light and Water Conference Room located at 729 N. Azusa, Azusa.
Mayor/Chairperson Chagnon called the meeting to order
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: HARDISON, CARRILLO, HANKS, CHAGNON
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: ROCHA
ALSO PRESENT:
City Manager Delach, Assistant City Manager Person, Economic Development Director
Coleman, Library Director Tovar, Library Adult Services Supervisor Shahsavari, Interim Chief of
Police Garcia, City Clerk Mendoza, Deputy City Clerk Toscano.
Call to Order
Roll Call
Also Present
Mayor Chagnon advised the Mayor Pro -Tem Rocha has sent an e-mail that he will not be Chagnon
attending the meeting but that he is in favor of staff's recommendation. comments
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr. Jorge Rosales addressed Council stating that he supports the recommendation made by
staff; in his review of the three proposals he thought that Urban Partners were strong towards
the Transit -Oriented Development and weak in retail and residential, Lowe's phasing in
aspects were very critical and very strong, but that Watt's proposal, which included very
aggressive retail, is what is needed in Azusa. He expressed his opposition to some of Watt's
proposal which eliminates some existing housing components, housing right next to City Hall
and underground parking.
Mayor/Chairperson Chagnon announced that she will be recusing herself from participating in
the discussions/actions regarding the selection of a master developer for the Downtown North
area due to reasons noted in the past i.e. area include properties in which she may have a
specific ownership interest, in three particular cases, the first case is her personal residence,
the second case is that she owns property that produces income and the third case is that her
parents own property that she may have a future ownership interest in. She turned the
meeting over to Councilmember/Director Hardison who then introduced City
Manager/Executive Director Delach.
Public Part
J. Rosales
Comments
Chagnon
Abstained from
Participation
Downtown
North Proposals
City Manager/Executive Director Delach provided background regarding the proposed project CityMgr
and selection of the proposed developers for the project. He stated that not all of the Comments
Downtown North is in the Redevelopment Area so it would be a public/private partnership. He
stated that the action at this meeting will be to begin a process of exclusive negotiations
period.
Economic Development Director Coleman addressed the issue providing background B. Coleman
information regarding how the project was established and parameters and objectives as Comments
follows: Master Developer for the Downtown North who can bring private dollars for
reinvestment, significant national regional retailers for the area, seeking development
residential mixed use, development of a Public Library, senior housing, practical uses for
parking issues, enhance and preserve the civic center, looking to identify commercial building
to rehabilitate, not seeking to include existing single family homes unless property owners
want to voluntarily, and the Agency Is not seeking to acquire property In the Downtown North.
He stated the selection criteria will include: experience, financial strength, experience with
transit oriented development, public and private partnership, senior housing, a way to link the
Downtown North with other areas, i.e. Block 36, Metro Gold Line station, Dalton site, Civic
Center, and APU. He recommended that the City Council and Agency Board select Watt
Commercial Properties as the Master Developer for Downtown North and to direct staff to
prepare an ENA. He then answered questions posed by Council member/Director Hanks
regarding Watt's aggressiveness and the benefit of having two large developers working in the
City.
City
I
Manager/Executive Director Detach responded to comments and offered additional City Mgr
comments noting that using retail as the primary cornerstone need in the downtown areas will Comments
help existing businesses flourish. He also responded to questions from
Councilmember/Director Carrillo noting the process of an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement.
Councilmember/Director Carrillo reiterated that in the criteria it notes that City of Azusa is not Carrillo
seeking to include single family housing within the boundaries of Downtown North unless the Comments
owners agree to allow their property to be included.
Moved by CoundImember/Director Hardison, seconded by Council member/Director Carrillo Watt Commercial
and unanimously* carried to select Watt Commercial Properties for the Downtown North Approved
project and authorize staff to prepare an Exclusive Negotiations Agreement (ENA) with Watt
for consideration by the Agency Board at a subsequent meeting.
Mayor/Chairperson Chagnon returned to the Council dais. She thanked Economic Chagnon
Development Director Bruce Coleman for all his hard work. She also expressed appreciation Rtn to Dais
to the developers for their participation. She wished Shala Shahsavari a happy birthday and Comments
talked about the feasible, buildable and affordable Library option. She referred to the business
persons in attendance and advised developers that they should get to know them. Ms. Peggy
Martinez of Downtown Business Association advised that she would hold a mixer and invite
the developer in order for them to get to know them. Lastly, she stated that she, staff and the
developers Lowe, and Watt, would be attending ICFC Conference in May and would report
back.
' It was Moved by Councilmember/Director Hardison, seconded by Mayor/Chairperson Chagnon Adjourn
and unanimously* carried to adjourn.
TIME ADJOURNMENT: 7:01 P.M.
CITY CLERK
NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 06-C23. (City)
NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 06-R13. (CRA)
'indicates Rocha absent.
04/04/06 PAGE TWO