Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - July 8, 2003 - RACITY OF AZUSA MINUTES OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, JULY 8, 2003 -10:19 P.M. The Board of Directors of the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Azusa met in regular session at the above date. Chairperson Madrid called the meeting to order. Call to Order ROLL CALL Roll Call PRESENT: DIRECTORS: HARDISON, STANFORD, ROCHA, CHAGNON MADRID ABSENT: DIRECTORS: NONE ALSO PRESENT: Also Present General Counsel Randolph, Executive Director Cole, City Department Heads, Economic Redevelopment Director Hennessey, Assistant Director Economic and Redevelopment Amador, Project Manager Ruiz, Deputy Secretary Toscano, Secretary Mendoza. THE CITY COUNCIL CONVENED JOINTLY WITH THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AT Cncl convened 8:40 P.M. TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING: Intly CRA The City Council and the Azusa Redevelopment Agency convened jointly at 8:40 p.m. to conduct the following Public Hearing: Continued joint Public Hearing - on Proposed Amendment to the Redevelopment plans for the Merged Central Business District and West End Redevelopment Projects Int Pub Hrg and concurrent Pubic Hearing on Proposed Amendment to the Implementation Plan for Amend CRA the Projects. Plan Councilmember/Director Ch48non made the fo/loWngstatement.• As required by the California Po/Itca/Reform act, !am d/sdoslrfg that! wli/not Part Patie In the public Chagnon hearing or future discussions related to the portion of the proposed redevelopment Comments plan amendment because ! am named bene®daryIn an Irrevocable fam//y trust mat Abstain holds rea/property/ocatied /n the 800 block ofSan Gabriel, because of this /nterestln this real property! wNl recuse myself from parddpatir{g/n this Item. CouncllmemberlDlrectorStanfordmadethe followlrfgstatement.• Asrequlredbydre California PbAtIca/ Reform act, ! am d/sdosirg that I will not partidpate /n drat porton of the proposed redevelopment plan amendment public hearlry or future Stanford discussions related to whether Azusa Pad& University's real property commonly Comments known as the old Krems site, should be removed from the redevelopment plan area Abstain because APU /s a source of Income tome from wife's salary from APU. ! wish to darlfy that I will on/yexcuse myself from parddpadon as related solely toAPU. I will fully partdpate In alf other aspects. Mayor/Chairwoman Madrid and City Councilmembers expressed concern and asked City Attorney Randolph for clarification on the reasons for the City Attorney's recommendation to abstain from the joint Public Hearing by Councilmembers as noted above; he advised he would get Information back to them. Mayor/Chair comments Concerns Director of Economic and Redev ment Hennessey addressed the issuting that the purpose of the Joint PublWearing is to take public comment rWkdlng the proposed redevelopment plan amendment. He provided an overview of the areas being affected by the redevelopment amendment plan and a brief history of the process taken Le. public Input, Citizens Congress, regarding the vision and goals for the City. He made the following statements as to what redevelopment doesnotdo: does not raise taxes, doesn't change the zoning of the general plan, doesn't allow for eminent domain on residential property, doesn't call for imminent domain on all commercial properties, (in this case it is only being called for on seven specific sites), redevelopment does not solve all problems. He stated that many public agencies have the power to exercise eminent domain in certain circumstances, it is controversial due to past abuses, but, the laws have been strengthened and changed to protect property owners. He reassured the citizens that the agency is obliged to pay fair market value for the properties being considered for eminent domain and the property owner must be compensated for all losses arising out of eminent domain. He stated that imminent domain is a tool needed in redevelopment when two parties cannot reach an agreement, when negotiations have reached an impasse and it is a judge that arbitrates the value of the property and it allows projects to move forward so that one property owner cannot stop an entire project. He noted that eminent domain cannot be ministerially applied by staff, but needs four-fifths approval by Council, and with regard to capital gains, the tax laws have changed to aide property owners and grant relief to the affect of capital gains on their property. He stated that redevelopment Is a series of tools allowing agencies to keep a greater portion of property tax revenues generated within the project area, which are funneled back into the project area that are used to make infrastructure improvements, rehabilitation loans, sales tax rebates, acquire real property and discount the sale of real property to promote projects. He noted what redevelopment has done for specific properties throughout the city. City Manager/Executive Director Cole addressed the Issue basically reiterating the circumstances In which eminent domain will be utilized. He displayed power point photographs of the different sites considered for eminent domain and the reasons for their consideration. The sites were: the Emerald Court on San Gabriel Avenue, property on south west corner of Foothill Boulevard and Pasadena, the Foothill Center, Azusa and Arrow Highway and vacant property behind it, south east corner of Azusa Avenue and Foothill Boulevard and property on Foothill between Azusa Avenue and the alley, and property at Newburgh and Azusa Avenue. Mayor/Chairwoman Madrid asked If properties could be added and removed from the list. City Attorney Randolph advised that properties could be added and removed. Mayor Madrid advised that letters have been received from the following: Department of Transportation, Department of Toxic Substances Control, Owner of Ying's Coin Laundry — Jane -Ping Chen & Ching -Ching Ying, Dr. Habem, Robin A. Deppe, Attorney for Wimpy's, and Joan Singleton of Azusa Pacific University. Mr. Roy Fowler who owns furniture business on Azusa and Arrow Highway, addressed Council stating that he would not be Interested in any change in his property at all. He stated that his business is thriving at this time and profits have been going up for the past few years and he Is proud of his business. He Is against redevelopment and against eminent domain. Mr. Lyle Moritz addressed Council regarding the property on North San Gabriel, stating that he is against eminent domain. He noted that the two businesses have been there since it was built and the businesses are thriving, the buildings are good and in good condition. He Is not against redevelopment, but he is against eminent domain. He stated that he is In favor of redevelopment and against eminent domain. M. Hennessey Comments City Mgr Comments Madrid Comments R. Fowler Comments Mr. Johnny Lambrecht of Cardinal Church Furniture addressed the issue and thanked L. Moritz Council for presenting this issue In public, so that the public can participate. He read a Comments letter Into the record and basically stated that he is against eminent domain and in favor of redevelopment. Ms. Robin Deppe, Attorney for Wimpy's Pawn Shop, addressed the issue stating that her client has a viable business and has been in the City for a long time. She stated J. Lambrecht that she is in favor of redevelopment against eminent domain. Comments R. Deppe Comments 07/08/03 PAGE TWO Mr. Shams Karimi owner of 710hj�zusa and Newburgh Avenue, addres the issue S. Karimi stating that he has been before dWcil In the past and has presented plarwich were Comments not good with the city. He stated that he still wants to improve his property. He stated that he is against eminent domain and In favor of redevelopment. Moved by Councilmember/Director Hardison, seconded by Mayor Pro-Tem/Director Rocha and unanimously carried to continue the Joint Public Hearing to the meeting of Jnt Pub Hrg September 2, 2003. Cont' to 9/2 THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY RECESSED AT 9:28 P.M. AND THE CITY COUNCIL CONTINUED. CRA recess/ Cncl continued THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY RECONVENED JOINTLY WITH THE CITY COUNCILAT 10:18 P.M. TO DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING: Cncl convened Joint City Council/Redevelopment Agency Item — Redevelopment Agency Jntly CRA Administration/Advance From the City. ' Administration Director Stanford offered a Resolution entitled: Advance from City A RESOLUTION OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE AZUSA REQUESTING A LOAN FROM THE CITY OF AZUSA FOR PURPOSES OF THE MERGED REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA. Res. 03 `R20 Moved by Director Stanford, seconded by Director Hardison to waive further reading Requesting and adopt. Resolution passed and adopted by the following vote of the Agency: Loan AYES: DIRECTORS: HARDISON, STANFORD, ROCHA, CHAGNON, MADRID NOES: DIRECTORS: NONE ABSENT: DIRECTORS: NONE Councilmember Stanford offered a Resolution entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITYCOUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA AUTHROIZING LOANS FOR PURPOSES OF THE MERGED REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA. Moved by Councilmember Stanford, seconded by Councilmember Hardison to waive further reading and adopt. Resolution passed and adopted by the following vote of the Res. 03-059 Council: Authorizing Loan AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: HARDISON, STANFORD, ROCHA, CHAGNON, MADRID NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE THE CITY COUNCIL RECESSED AND REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CONTINUED AT 10:19 P.M. The CONSENT CALENDAR consisting of items VIII -A through VIII -D, were approved by motion of Director Chagnon, seconded by Director Rocha and unanimously carried. Cncl Recess A. Minutes of the regular meeting of June 16, 2003, were approved as written. Convene CRA B. A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY OF AZUSA Consent Cal. REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MAKING A FINDING THAT THE PLANNING AND Approved ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES TO BE FUNDED FROM THE LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING FUND ARE NECESSARY FOR THE PRODUCTION, Min approved IMPROVEMENT OR PRESERVATION OF THE COMMUNITY'S SUPPLY OF LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING. Res. 03-R21 Low & Mod Ping C. A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF & Admin AZUSA APPROVING A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF Expenses CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT 638 NORTH AZUSA AVENUE. Res. 03-1122 Pur &Sale Agmt 638 N. Azusa 07/08/03 PAGE THREE D. The following Resolution wasfipted and entitled: • A RESOLUTION OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF AZUSA Res. 03-R23 ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS TO BE PAID OUT OF Warrants REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FUNDS. It was consensus of the Redevelopment Agency Boardmembers to adjourn Adjourn TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 10:22 P.M. t/ SECRETARY NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 03-R24. NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 03 -ROI. 7/08/03 PAGE FOUR