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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - March 13, 2006 - CCCITY OF AZUSA MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL, AND I THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SPECIAL MEETING MONDAY, MARCH 13, 2006 — 6:00 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 Chagnon called the meeting to order. ROLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: HARDISON, CARRILLO, HANKS, ROCHA, CHAGNON ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Delach, Assistant City Manager Person, Economic Development Director Coleman, City Clerk Mendoza, Deputy City Clerk Toscano. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION None. Call to Order Roll Cali Also Present Public Part None 'CLOSED SESSION Closed Sess It was consensus of CouncilmembersBoardmembers to recess to Closed Session to discuss the following: CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (Gov. Code Sec. 54957.6). Conf w/labor Agency Negotiators: City Manager Delach and Assistant City Manager Person Negotiators Organizations/Employee: ACEA, APMA, AMMA, CAPP, IBEW, LABORERS, EXECUTIVE. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (Gov. Sec. 54957) Pub Emp Per Title: City Manager City Mgr REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS (Gov. Code Sec. 54956.8) Real Prop Neg Address: 100 W. Foothill Boulevard, Azusa, CA 91702 100 W. Foothill Negotiating Parties: Ms. Mercy Moreno Agency Negotiators: City Manager Delach and Assistant City Manager Person Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment The City Council/Redevelopment Agency recessed at 6:02 p.m. and reconvened at 6:50 p.m. Recess There was no reportable action taken at this time. Reconvened PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Pub Part ,Ms. Peggy Martinez of the Azusa Downtown Association addressed Council announcing the P. Martinez Grand Opening of a new clothing store, Hypnotiq Trends; the ribbon cutting ceremony will be Comments held on Friday. March 17, 2006 at 6: 00 p.m., at 623 N. Azusa Avenue, Azusa. Mayor/Chairperson Chagnon read into the record that there was an e-mail received by Mr. Chagnon Jorge Rosales which was similar to the request at the January 23, 2006 Special meeting, of Comments which he requested that it be presented, and it is summarized as follows: "He hoped that Re: e-mail Council considers the issuance of an open and competitive request for qualifications/ proposal J. Rosales and not just limit the consideration of firms to the three firms recommend by staff." City Manager Delach added that Mr. Rosales' e-mail included that it was his position that the F. Delach City of Azusa is in non-compliance with State Law (California Public Contract Code) and the Comments Azusa Municipal Code (Section 2-517) in the procedure and selection process of a Developer Re: e-mail for the North Downtown Development Area. Mr. Delach responded that according to the J. Rosales California Municipal Law Handbook published by the League of California Cities, Section 5.4.15 (C ), page 119, Disposition and Development Agreements (DDA) (a) Selecting a Developer, states: "Although the California Redevelopment Law does not require a bidding or other competitive process, developers are usually chosen through a request for proposal (RFP) or request for qualifications (RFQ) process. The agency may tailor this process to its particular needs as there are no "rules" (other than compliance with the owner participation and 'preference requirements), by which the agency must abide." He also stated that the section of the Azusa Municipal Code referenced by Mr. Rosales pertains to bidding and that's specifically for professional services and that is not what is being presented at this meeting and does not apply. Further, the sections Mr. Rosales is citing In the State Law and Azusa Municipal Code pertain to public works contracts, and this is neither professional services nor public works contract. He also stated that staff did engage in the process after seeking legal advice from the City Attorney as well as the Redevelopment Agency Legal Counsel. Mayor/Chairperson Chagnon announced the following: "Discussions tonight may include Chagnon properties in which I have a specific ownership interest, in three particular cases, the first case Abstained from is my personal residence, the second case is that 1 own property that produces income and Participation the third case is that my parents own property that 1 may have a future ownership interest in." Downtown She recused herself in the discussion of the Downtown North Master plan area. North Proposals REVIEW OF DOWNTOWN NORTH DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS. City Manager/Executive Director Delach addressed the issue stating that several developers expressed interest regarding the potential of the development opportunities adjacent to the future Gold Line rail transit zone in Azusa; this occurred when seeking developers for Block 36. They opened up the new process for the general master plan area, entitled Downtown North Transit Oriented Development. ' Economic Development Director Coleman addressed the Issue providing background information regarding the project and noting certain parameters and objectives as 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. Proposals were presented by Lowe Enterprises, Urban Partners and Watt Commercial Properties. Each presentation was approximately one hour long with question and answer session at the end. Representatives of Lowe Enterprises presented key objectives as follows: Creation of a strategic development plan for downtown Azusa. Develop a coordinated implementation plan that will attract significant new private investment in downtown Azusa. Foster the development of transit oriented development and related uses in the vicinity of the planned Metro Gold Line station. Secure the development of a new public library to serve the Azusa community. Provide practical and effective solutions for parking in the downtown area. Keep the existing redevelopment momentums moving. Provide a practical, phased plan that fives the best opportunity for success. Design for the maximum impact In Azusa without creating an undue burden on the community. Proposal was presented in detail and they responded to questions posed by Councilmembers/Directors regarding square footage of entertainment, and library, use of allies, Azusa/San Gabriel two way possibility, residential tenants, parking, residential units, security, pedestrian traffic, time line, possible Gold Line delays, and existing buildings in back of City Hall, building heights, and retail. 03/13/06 PAGE TWO Rev Downtown North Proposals F. Delach Comments B. Coleman Comments Presentation Lowe Enterprises Representatives of Urban Partners presented information regarding their experience in retail, transit and mixed use, and civic centers, with a conceptual design of the proposed project. They noted the "good bones" existing structures in the City of Azusa and possibilities to work with what is existing and especially its ambience. They responded to question from Council members/Directors regarding Library funding, but provided no specifics on retail square footage, mixed uses, two way streets for Azusa and San Gabriel, parking, or residential. Representatives of Watt Commercial Properties presented five key principals in their presentation as follows: Gold Line Transit, strong retail district, quality driven residential mix, strong civic pride in public buildings, paseo style, and quality parking. They talked about making a place, complimenting what exists, mixing the uses, creating a flexible plan, varying street types, making usable places public, providing housing choices, retail strategy, traffic and parking and community participation. They provided details regarding residential housing, square' footage, mix uses, retail, and parking as well as streetscape improvements. They responded to questions from Councilmembers/Directors regarding retail mix, theater opportunities, and markets. Urban Partners Presentation Watt Commercial Properties Presentation Economic Development Director Coleman thanked all for participation in the process and B. Coleman advised that the selection date would be April 4th, at 6 p.m. Comments Mayor/Chairperson Chagnon returned to the Council dais . CLOSED SESSION It was consensus of CouncilBoardmembers to recess to Closed Session to discuss the following: Agency Negotiators: City Manager Delach and Assistant City Manager Person Organizations/Employee: ACEA, APMA, AMMA, CAPP, IBEW. LABORERS, EXECUTIVE. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (Gov. Sec. 54957) ' Title: City Manager REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS (Gov. Code Sec. 54956 8) Address: 100 W. Foothill Boulevard, Azusa, CA 91702 Negotiating Parties: Ms. Mercy Moreno Agency Negotiators: City Manager Delach and Assistant City Manager Person Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment Chagnon rtn Closed Sess Conf w/labor Negotiators Pub Emp Per City Mgr Real Prop Neg 100 W. Foothill The City Council/Redevelopment Agency recessed at 10:20 p.m. and reconvened at 10:45p.m. Recess There was no reportable action. Reconvened It was consensus of the City Council and the Redevelopment Agency Boardmembers to Adjourn adjourn. TIME ADJOURNMENT: 10:46 P.M. NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 06-C20. (City) NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 06 -RI 1. (CRA) 03/13/06 PAGE THREE