HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/25/15 CC AGENDA HIGHLIGHTSAGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
� MARCH 25, 2015 COUNCIL MEETING
I�',' -;a REGULAR MEETING - 3:30 p.m.
NOTE: A separate meeting will be called to order at 3:30 p.m., followed by Public Statements
that will encourage comments pertaining only to the Workshop and Closed Session matters.
The Council will first receive a presentation from the Finance Department and then recess into
Closed Session. Upon conclusion of the Closed Session, we will announce any Closed Session
action and adjourn the meeting. At 5:15 p.m., the Regular Meeting will then be called to
order to address the remainder of the agenda items.
WORKSHOPS
Item 3a. Assessment District and Wastewater Revenue Bond Refinancing. In an effort to take
advantage of historically low interest rates, Finance Department staff has been evaluating
options to refinance certain City debt obligations. As part of this effort, two separate
refinancing opportunities have arisen. The first is the refinancing of various Assessment District
debts, where several mature districts would be combined into one pooled issue and
refinanced at lower interest rates. Staff anticipates property owners who live within the
boundaries of these areas would save between $30 to $50 annually per property for the
remaining terms of the existing obligations, which vary between 10 and 12 years. The second
opportunity is to refinance fixed rate Wastewater Revenue Bonds which were issued in 2007
to fund the expansion and upgrade of Sewer Plant #3. Staff estimates a savings of over $10
million over the remaining life of the bonds by conducting a refinancing. Staff is requesting
approval of an agreement with a financial advisor as an initial step in pursuing these
refinancing opportunities.
CLOSED SESSION
There will be a conference with legal counsel regarding two matters of existing litigation.
REGULAR MEETING - 5:15 p.m.
APPOINTMENTS
There will be three appointments to the Historic Preservation Commission.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Bids
Item 8ag. Sidewalk Improvements along Canteria Drive. In August 2014, the City Council
approved a land exchange whereby the City transferred surplus park land within the City in
the Hills neighborhood in exchange for a parcel adjacent to Mesa Marin Sports Complex
which allows for future expansion of the popular community park. As part of evaluating the
land exchange project, staff met with residents of the City in the Hills community, who
expressed interest in ensuring a segment of sidewalk was completed to improve pedestrian
access between their neighborhood on the north side of State Route 178 and the Mesa
Marin Sports Complex and schools located on the south side of SR 178. The City agreed to
construct the segment of sidewalk to improve pedestrian access between the neighborhood
and the amenities on the south side of SR 178. Staff is requesting the acceptance of the bid
and approval of a contract for the construction of these improvements.
HEARINGS
Item 10a. Old River Ranch Development Agreement. In 2005 the City entered into a
development agreement regarding the future development of approximately 1,833 acres of
land in west Bakersfield commonly referred to as Old River Ranch. On December 10, 2014,
City and owner amended the agreement to change its term and clarify the purposes for
which the required Community Facilities District ( "CFD ") would be formed. The City also
formed the CFD at this same meeting. The current owner of the property subject to the
agreement is now in the process of selling the area to Old River Ranch, LLC and RTS
Orchards, LLC. Staff is recommending approval of a resolution amending the agreement,
which will assign all of the benefits and obligations of the Agreement to the new owners.
NEW BUSINESS
Item 13a. 18th and Eve Streets Parking Garage. The City has owned and operated the
parking garage at 18th and Eye Street since the mid- 1980's. Currently, access is limited
beyond the 2nd floor to only those who rent spaces on a monthly basis. In some cases, the
designated daily user spaces on and below the 2nd floor fill up, resulting in frustration among
visitors and business owners in the area. As part of the FY 2014 -15 capital improvement
program, the City Council approved a project to automate the parking garage. Staff is
proposing an agreement to install an automated system allowing both daily users and
monthly renters to access all floors of the facility - which is anticipated to alleviate the
congestion during peak demand times. For daily users, staff is proposing two hours of free
parking per vehicle, then $1 per hour with a daily maximum not exceeding $10. Monthly
rental rates are proposed to increase from $25 to 30 per space. The increases would help
offset the annual cost of the automated system and garage security. In addition, staff is
requesting Council determination on proposed signage to be installed on the exterior of the
garage to improve visibility of the facility.
Approved:
Alan Tandy, City Manager Offor AT
cc: Department Heads
City Manager's File
City Clerk's File
News Media File
Agenda Highlights - March 25, 2015 Council Meeting
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