HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/28/81 MINUTES RA JOINT MTG MINUTES
BAKERSFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY REGULAR MEETING AND
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION
July 28, 1981
The Regular Meeting of the Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency was called to
order by Chairman Casper Tuesday, July 28, 1981 at 4 p.m. in the City Council
Chambers. The secretary called the roll as follows:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Vincent Casper, Chairman
Jeanne Foth, Vice Chairman
Dr. Richard Bilas
Frank Lewis
John Mooneyham
Gene Winer
ABSENT:
Dr. Glenn Puder
CITY COUNCIL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Mary K. Shell
Councilman James Barton
Councilman J. M. Christensen
Councilman John Means
Councilman Don Ratty
Councilman Art Rockoff
Councilman Vernon Strong
PLANNING COMMISSION
MEMBERS PRESENT: Benjamin D. Phipps, Chairman
James Redstone, Vice Chairman
Mary L. Jones
Stephanie L. McCormick
Mary Prewett
Gerald Van Horn
STAFF PRESENT:
Philip Kelmar, Executive Director
Richard Russell, Deputy Executive Director
W. D. Higginbotham, Jr., Treasurer
Richard Oberholzer, City Attorney
David Kennon, Economic Development Coordinator
MINUTES
Minutes of the Special Meeting of June ll, 1981 and Regular Meeting of
June 23, 1981 were approved as mailed.
CORRESPONDENCE
a) Chamber of Commerce Letter - The secretary read a letter received from
the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce dated June 26, 1981 in whibh they
advised the Redevelopment Agency of their support of redevelopment in the
Central City.
GENERAL
a) Specific Plan StudS Presentation - Mr. Kennon introduced staff members
involved in the Study. He then gave a brief introduction as to the purpose
of the Study. A slide presentation followed, depicting problem areas within
the area surveyed (i.e., parking, structural deterioration, underutilization
of buildings, etc.). Additionally, slides depicting the Study area's poten-
tial for revitalization were presented.
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b) Goals and Objectives - Mr. Kennon introduced a series of preliminary
Goals and Objectives for the Central Business District Specific Plan and
asked for suggestions or comments from the Agency, Council and Planning
Commission.
Mayor Shell stated that in her contact with the people of Bakersfield,
she has found that there is a general need for cleanup, more enforcement of
the Weed Abatement Ordinance, a plan for downtown landscaping, and the rest-
oration of certain buildings, "capitalizing on the era of the building and
restoring the building to that era".
Ms. Foth commended the staff for the work done on the Specific Plan.
She stated that she liked the Mayor's idea of restoring some of the old
buildings in Bakersfield. Ms. Foth also stated that the idea of "old town
is exciting'l, but that the City "must not lose sight of the new projects
it has in mind now".
Dr. Bilas stated that he enjoyed the presentation, but feels it raises
questions the Agency, Council and Planning Commission should ask themselves.
Dr. Bilas' main concern is how much control should government take in rede-
velopment projects. "What is the role of government."
Mr. Lewis asked if the structures surveyed through the Study belong to
absentee or local owners.
Mr. Kennon stated that most of the structures are occupied by renters
or lease holders.
Mr. Lewis then stated that he feels too much government handling can
"mess things up, but the City of Bakersfield has a right to ask for standards
on which it can exist and function."
Mr. Mooneyham felt the goal for public participation and involvement in
the planning process should be expanded so that the public can have direct
input as to the proper role of the Plan and input as to how they would like
to see the downtown area developed.
Mr. Kennon then stated that a public participation plan will be brought
before the Agency and City Council for review. Mr. Kennon also stated that
questionnaires will be submitted to the Agency, Council and Planning Commission
for additional input relative to the preliminary goals.
Councilman Means then asked if there are any known examples where a city
has had no government involvement in downtown redevelopment and have come out
successfully.
Mr. Kennon did not know of any cities coming out of the type of decline
downtown Bakersfield is in, without some degree of government interference or
assistance.
Councilman Rockoff stated that his feeling about redevelopment is a
"partnership and cooperative effort between government and the private sector."
After a given project is proven to be financially viable, it is the private
investor and the public that will make the project successful by their invest-
ment. These should be the tests that determine whether a particular project
will be supported or assisted by government.
Mr. Phipps stated that he feels the function of government is to provide
the opportunity for businesses to move into the downtown area; but before th~s
can be accomplished, a definite plan must be developed. The public needs to
be aware of precisely what government plans to do and when it is to be done
before the private sector begins investing in rehabilitation. Mr. Phipps
also stated there should be residential development in the Central City in
order to have people "living and shopping" in the downtown area.
Mayor Shell stated that she feels a very important reason the private
sector has not invested their money in improving businesses downtown is that
they are waiting on the decision regarding the shopping center.
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Ms. McCormick stated that she was not certain of what is expected of the
Planning Commission at this time, since the Planning Commission has not dealt
with matters regarding the downtown area since she has been on the Commission.
She stated she personally would welcome the opportunity to be involved with
planning for the downtown.
Mr. Kennon stated there were two basic reasons for getting the Planning
Commission involved early in this process: 1) to have more policy making
bodies participate in the planning of the downtown; and 2~ Planning Commission
will be required to review any amendments to the General Plan and Redevelopment
Plan; therefore, it is important they be knowledgeable and informed on the
issues.
Chairman Casper thanked the Council and Planning Commission members for
their attendance and participation in the Specific Plan discussion.
c) 1981-82 Budget - Following discussion, on motion by Ms. Foth, seconded
by Mr. Mooneyham, and carried, the 1981-82 Redevelopment Agency Budget was
approved as presented, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Bilas, Foth,
NOES: None
ABSENT: Puder
Lewis, Mooneyham, Winer, Casper
d) Agreement for Legal Services - Following discussion, on motion by Mr. ~
Lewis, seconded by Mr. Mooneyham, and carried, the Agreement for Legal Services
with Jones, Hall, Hill & White for the purpose of providing certain legal counsel
concerning Bell Towers project was approved by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Bilas, Foth, Lewis, Mooneyham, Winer, Casper
None
Puder
FINANCIAL
a) Voucher Approval - Following discussion, on motion by Dr. Bilas seconded
by Mr. Mooneyham, and carried, Vouchers 1 through 16 totalling $75,144.16 were
approved for payment.
PROJECTS
a) Development of Parking Structure - A preliminary plan for the proposed
parking structure on the Sill-Hoenshell property ~as been submitted to the
Agency. Mr. Guay stated he has already discussed this matter with Mr. Sill,
and he is ready to meet with City staff. At this time, Mr. Guay requested
the Agency instruct staff to get together with Messrs. Sill and Hoenshell
to discuss the plan.
Following discussion, Ms. Foth made a motion to instruct staff to contact
Messrs. Sill and Hoenshell regarding the proposed parking structure, and that
at the appropriate time, staff inform the Agency of the feasibility and financ-
ing for this project. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lewis, carried, and
approved by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Bilas, Foth, Lewis, Mooneyham, Winer, Casper
None
Puder
b) Shoppin9 Center Project
1. Status of Appraisals - Enclosed in the Agency's packet were letters
from four appraisers. Mr. Kennon stated that the letters are to inform the
Agency of appraisal updates and that no action is required at this time. He
also stated the appraisal process should be completed within a few days.
2. Status on EIR - Mr. Kennon reported that Requests for Proposals have
been sent to seven consultants and there has been a good response. All the
consultants have been invited to attend a meeting with staff on July 31. Mr.
Kennon stated the recommended proposal will be brought before the Agency at a
special meeting of the Agency on August 17 or 18.
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c) Hotel Project
1. Letter from Hedrick/McBride Development Co. - The secretary read a
letter received from Mr. Tom McBride advising the Agency of the status of his
efforts regarding the hotel project.
2. Status of Cits's Requirements - Mr. Kennon reported that a survey
of the hotel project site has been completed. Also, an improvement program
delineating how the project will be "meshed" with the Auditorium, should be
completed by next week.
Mr. Kennon also reported that it appears there will be a delay in receiv-
ing the appraisals on property being considered for the hotel development
because of the various projects the appraisers are involved with. The
developer has been notified of this matter, and it is agreed that in order
to have time to properly review the appraisals and conduct preliminary lease
negotiations, an additional 30 days will be required after the appraisals are
received. Mr. Kennon then recommended the Agency grant an additional 30 days
after the appraisals have been received in order to give staff and the Agency's
financial consultants the time needed to review the appraisals.
Following discussion, Mr. Lewis made a motion to grant an additional 30
days beginning upon receipt of the appraisals. The motion was seconded by
Dr. Bilas, carried, and approved by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Bilas, Foth, Lewis, Mooneyham, Winer and Casper
None
Puder
d) GET Terminal - Mr. Ruggenberg of GET reported the GET Board of Directors
have reaffirmed their previous interest in the site on 19th and 20th/"K" and
"L" Streets for the location of GET's downtown terminal. Mr. Ruggenberg also
reported that an application for the funding of the terminal has been made
with the Urban Mass Transit Administration (UMTA). He reported on GET's
efforts regarding this matter, and stated that GET plans to continue to
pursue it diligently.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Redevelopment Agency,
Chairman Casper adjourned the meeting at 5:55 p.m.
~kkCENT CASPER, Chaii~man of the
ersfield Redevelopment Agency
M. Compton
Secretary
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