HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPR - JULY 1971 MINUTES RA-98-
Bakersfield, California, April 20, 1971
Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Bakersfield Redevelop-
ment Agency held in the Council Chambers of the City Hall at 5:15 P.M.
April 10, 1971.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Robert King,
and the secretary called the roll as follows:
Present: Robert King~ Chairman
Vincent Casper
Gerald Clifford
Bill Lee
James Stewart
Theron Taber
Absent: Dr. Glenn Puder
The chairman introduced Mr. James Stewart who was recently
appointed as member of the Redevelopment Agency to fill vacancy
created by the resignation of Mrs. Peggy Ghezzi.
The chairman staled that this is a special meeting of the
Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency to receive a letter from the Kern
County Economic Opporfunity Corporation regarding redevelopment
programs. He asked Mr. Bergen, City Manager, to give the background
on this letter from KCEOC.
Mr. Bergen explained that the letter was read at the City
Council meefing of April 12, 1971, and at that time it was received,
ordered placed on file and referred to the Redevelopment Agency.
Considerable discussion took place at the Council meeting regarding
this matter. Also, he has had calls from several property owners
who wish fo be heard at this meeting.
Agency,
matter
Mr. Gene Jacobs,
stated that he had
which is relevant.
attorney retained by the Redevelopment
obtained additional information on this
The Kern County Economic Opportunity
Corporation has filed an application with OEO seeking funds for an
Innovative Program to make a study on the types of programs they
might use in the City of Bakersfield for the poverty area. The
major basis of the application is found in the possibilify of a
redevelopment project on the east side of California Avenue, and is
the relevant portion of that application. The Corporation received a
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Bakersfield, California, April 20, 1971 - Page 2
notice from OEO that in filing their application they had to add to
it specific commitments from the Bakersfield Planning Commission and
the City Council indicating support and cooperation for the proposed
endeavor.
Mr. Jacobs stated that it is
boundaries as now established may fail
his judgment that this project's
to meet eligibility requirements
for HUD funds and that
do not have sufficient
KCEOC is asking for.
the Redevelopment Agency and the City Council
information on what is before HUD and what the
He stated that he believes Mr. Taylor of the Corporation
will join in this recommendation, that he meet with them and ascertain
specifically what the proposal is so that they can come up with
more detail and place before the Agency and the City Council more
specifically what it is they desire, as he does not think there are
sufficient details for the Redevelopment Agency to take any action
on it at the present time.
Mr. Taylor, Executive Director of KCEOC, stated that he
and Mr. Sundaram are satisfied with Mr. Jacob's recommendation.
They feel they are very fortunate to have Mr. Jacobs working with
them and helping them formalize a document to present to this body
which will be enlighting to the Agency and from which it could make
a recommendation to the City Council.
Mrs. Helen Graf asked for a ruling on a 1966 election in
which Bakersfield residents voted to prohibit City participation in
anti-poverty programs, stating that she feels endorsement by the
Council of the proposal would be overruling the people'~ vote.
Mrs. Selena A. Stevens, who resides at 1118 Chico Street,
stated that she was present as a representative of the Sunset-May-
flower Progressive Club, who were objecting to a contribution made
by the Kern County Economic Opportunity Corporation to a newly
organized non-profit corporation designated as the United Progress
Corporation. She stated that thereare many organizations in the area
in which KCEOC will not contribute and in her opinion there was no
reason to organizae another group and fund it.
100
Bakersfield, California, April 20, 1971 - Page 3
Mr. King commented that he is not familiar with the matter
discussed by Mrs. Stevens, and he suggested that she leave her name
and address with the City Manager and a meeting can be arranged with
Mr. Jacobs to bring out the points she has presented here. After a
study is completed, a decision will probably be made to hold a public
hearing and at that time she can submit pertinent information to the
Agency.
The chairman stated that
is going to hold a meeting with Mr.
as he understands it, Mr. Jacobs
Taylor to study the various
matters which have been submitted to him, and come back with a
recommendation to the Agency as soon as possible.
Mr. Jacobs suggested that the matter be continued until
the May meeting of the Redevelopment Agency and if he can have
something ready sooner than that, a special meeting can be called.
It was then moved, seconded and carried that Mr. Jacobs'
recommendation be accepted.
Mr. Bergen recommended that this action be sent to the
Council so that they will understand why no report was forthcoming
at the next Council meeting.
After some additional discussion from persons in the
audience, the meeting was adjourned at six o'cock P.M.
Assis~t-a~t Secretar~y to the Bakersfield Redevelopment
Agency
101
Bakersfield, California, July 6, 1971
Minutes of a special meeting of the Bakersfield Redevel-
opment Agency held in the Council Chambers of the City Hall at
11:00 A.M., July 6, 1971.
Vice-Chairman Vincent Casper called the meeting to order
in the absence of Mr. King, Chairman, and asked the Secretary to
call the roll.
Present:
Vincent Casper, Vice-Chairman
Gerald Clifford
Bill Lee
Dr. Glenn D. Puder
James L. Stewart
Theron Taber
Absent: Robert E. King, Chairman
Mr. Casper introduced Mr. Bob Mathias, Congressman from
the 14th District and his assistant Mr. Bob Jennings, Mr. Raymond
Carrasco, Director of the Los Angeles Area Office of HUD, Mr.
David Holloway, Urban Renewal Representative for this area, and
Mr. Martinez, Labor Relations office.
Mr. Bergen, City Manager, filed the following letters:
Communication to Mr. William W. Stover, Washington,
D. C. Consultant, from Mr. Robert E. King, Chairman
of the Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency, dated
April 29, 1971.
Reply from Mr. William W. Stover, Washington, D. C.,
to Mr. Robert E. King's Letter,
Communication from Mr. Gordon J.
Production Division HUD, to Mr.
dated June 14, 1971.
dated May 20, 1971.
Hunt, Director,
H. E. Bergen,
Communication to Mr. H. E. Bergen, from Mr. Dallas A.
Martini HUD Program Manager, enclosing a partial
laundry list containing comments, suggestions and
objections made by the technical branches as a
result of a review of City's Survey and Planning
Application, dated July l, 1971.
Mr. Eugene B. Jacobs, the City's Special Counsel, pro-
vided the Agency with a status report on the City's Survey and
Planning application, stating that the original application
filed with HUD was for a Neighborhood Development Program (NDP)
which carried to its ultimate, would have involved something in
the neighborhood of a twelve to fifteen million dollar grant
from the Federal Government. Later on the application was modi-
102
Bakersfield, California, July 6, 1971 - Page 2
fled to a Survey and Planning (S & P) application deleting the
properties on Chester Avenue which reduced the grant request to
around a five million dollar figure, on which no action has been
indicated by HUD. He asked Mr. Raymond Carrasco, Director of the
Los Angeles Area Office of HUD, to comment on the possibility of
funding the project.
Mr. Carrasco stated that HUD does not want to "lead the
Agency down the primrose path," because there are many factors as
far as funding is concerned. First of all, it is necessary to
meet the national goals, of which one of the primary factors to
take into consideration is low income housing. HUD has been working
very closely with Congressman Mathias to see where they can get the
funding, as this is the problem at the present time. There is no
Survey and Planning money available at this time and no money is
being allocated for new projects. This situation could change,
in fact quite a bit of money could be allocated to this area, and
if that is done, they could then proceed with the evaluation of
this proposal. The City's application has to compete with other
proposals in HUD's area office, and this is where the housing factor
comes into consideration as far as heading the priorities. He
pointed out that Congressman Mathias has really worked hard for
this community and that there is a lot of push behind the project,
however, at the present time they do not have the money to allocate
to the project. He thanked the Agency for inviting him to visit
the community and attend this session to discuss the problem.
Congressman Mathias stated that he and his staff have
been working on this project for several years and to him it is one
of the most important projects in his Congressional District, as
anyone who visits downtown Bakersfield can see that the area does
need help, does need federal funds to get started on its revital-
ization. He stated he is very optimistic over Bakers£ield's chances
to receive federal funds, pointing out that there is not a great
deal of money involved in the City's application compared with
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Bakersfield, California, July 6, 1971 Page 3
projects in other communities. Also, another saleable point is
that the City will put up the front money, however, will not be
seeking the funds until a developer is interested in and committed
to the project. He thanked the Agency for inviting him to the
meeting and stated it is his hope that the problems can be ironed
out and the project funded by HUD in the very near future.
Mr. Clifford asked Mr.
be available if the application
find a developer to do the job.
Jacobs how long the money would
is approved by HUD in order to
Mr. Jacobs stated he has sugges-
ted a six month's period, however, this point would be something
to negotiate with the Federal Government, for a commitment of
money for at least a period of a minimum of six months, because
in that time they would know whether or not it was really possible
to bring a developer into the picture.
Mr. Bergen asked Mr. Carrasco if there is anything further
the City can do to expedite the City's application, and Mr. Carrasco
replied at this point it is just a matter of waiting, it would be
futile to spend any more money as far as the City is concerned.
He stated that HUD favors approving the application at the time of
funding, and any changes in the application can be made at that
time as the economic situation may change in the City or other
factors may enter into it as time goes on.
Mr. Jacobs stated that the Bank of America is prepared,
after a two year period, to move forward on the site at the north-
east corner of Truxtun and Chester Avenues, but is not desirous
of developing the property themselves. They have called for pro-
posals from a number of developers who might want to come in and
construct a building on a long term land lease and are accepting
proposals. The Agency and the Council have been contacted regarding
their position on the matter of making available public parking to
encourage the development of the Bank of America site. Mr. Jacobs
stated he has prepared a joint resolution upon the request of the
City Attorney and members of the Agency and read the proposed
104
Bakersfield, California, July 6, 1971 - Page 4
joint resolution of the City Council and the Redevelopment Agency
regarding public parking being made available to encourage the
development of the Bank of America site in downtown Bakersfield.
After discussion, it was moved by Mr. Clifford that the
This motion carried by the following roll
Resolution be adopted.
call vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Clifford, Lee, Casper, Taber, Stewart
None
King, Puder (who had left the meeting previously)
Mr. Bergen filed the following additional correspondence:
Budget Bureau From #116-R047 - Application of
KCEOC dated May 14, 1971 to OEO for funds for
Innovative Program for the development of
housing and economic development project in
Kern County for the benefit of low income
people.
Communication from Planning Director Sceales
to Mr. Eugene Jacobs relative to the Kern
County Economic Opportunity Corporation
application for an Innovative Program.
Communication from Lanier C. Greet, ~xecutive
Director of the Kern County Council of Govern-
ments, dated July 6, 1971, asking to be advised
on action taken on KCEOC's application for an
Innovative Program by the Redevelopment Agency.
Mr. Casper asked Mr. Jacobs to read his report on the
Kern County Economic Opportunity Corporation's application to the
Office of Economic Opportunity for funding of an Innovative Program
for the development of an Urban Renewal and Economic Development
Program in Southeast Bakersfield. This program is proposed to be
carried out with a delegate agency entitled United for Progress
Inc., a private non-profit housing development corporation formed
to work as an advisory group for the Redevelopment Agency to
implement a redevelopment project proposed by KCEOC's application.
In his report Mr. Jacobs made the following statements:
It is my judgment that the proposed project as
presently conceived would not complement and be
coordinated with the City's current and planned
efforts to eliminate poverty.
The area chosen is in the best condition in the
general area. The most deteriorated area is in
the County, not in the City. From a housing
105
Bakersfield, California, July 6, 1971 - Page 5
standpoint the areas south of the proposed project
area are more in need of attention.
From an economic standpoint it appears that a
neighborhood commercial center is needed in the
area, but academic economic research and studies
are not what is needed. An active program to
convince a developer and tenants to commit to
the area would be more effective.
There is substantial empty land in the proposed
project area which would prove useful in per-
mitting immediate development if public and
private tenants can be motivated to come into
the area. Moreover, such vacant land could
result in property tax increment if the land
is developed.
It should be noted that well maintained County
public housing is adjacent to the proposed
project area.
In conclusion Mr. Jacobs stated "I recommend that the
City not submit a letter of support for KCEOC to HUD, but that
the City consider commencement of a redevelopment project or
projects in southeast Bakersfield both with and without Federal
assistance in close cooperation and consultation with represent-
ative citizen's groups in the area."
Mr. T. M. Sundaram, Planning Coordinator of KCEOC,
addressed the Agency, stating that some three months back KCEOC
had requested the City Planning Commission to support the basic
concepts of the Southeast Bakersfield Urban Renewal Project and
the matter was referred to Mr. Jacobs for his recommendation.
Later, he had appeared before the members of the City Council
and requested that they give an endorsement letter for the
Innovative Program to be sent to Washington, as he has been told
by the Director of the Program that some funds were available
and they would be able to assist the redevelopment projects in
Bakersfield if they received the support of the City Council
and also of the Redevelopment Agency. He did not ask that the
Urban Renewal Project be turned over to KCEOC, as only the
Redevelopment Agency can make the application and can be made
completely responsible for a redevelopment project in Bakersfield.
'[06
Bakersfield, California, July 6, 1971 Page 6
He pointed out that there were many minority people
present in the audience who were in support of a renewal project
in southeast Bakersfield.
He stated that the last day for submitting applications
for funds was June 30th, and since the deadline was passed, and
they have not submitted an application for an Innovative Program
to the Washington office, they do not need a letter of support
from the City Council and they would like to withdraw that request.
He asked that the Agency approve the basic concepts of the need for
improvement in the minority area, approve the need for a feasibil-
ity study to support this program, and approve the basic concepts
of the need for the improvement in the southeast Bakersfield area
by an Urban Renewal Program. With this, they will be able to obtain
more federal funds for the City, can reinforce the downtown project
and meet the national goals of the Urban Renewal Program.
Mr. Jacobs stated that he had visited the project area,
and it is his judgment that there is a very definite possibility
of the need for a project in the area; however, anyone who has
visited the project area would know immediately the problem of
substandard housing is not to be f~und in that portion of south-
east Bakersfield~ it is found in another area. He stated that
there would be great difficulty in finding blight and HUD eligi-
bility in the boundaries suggested and proposed. In a letter from
KCEOC it was stated that this organization wanted the City Council
and the Redevelopment Agency to delegate the program to KCEOC, and
he would assume that Mr. Sundaram is now withdrawing that recom-
mendation. He stated he feels a redevelopment project would be
useful in the area, but he does not think the suggested program
as set forth in KCEOC's application would be in the best interests
of the City or of the southeast Bakersfield area.
Dr. Richard Lyness, member of the Board of United For
Progress, commented that he is in general agreement with Mr. Jacob's
report but he does take exception to his opposition to delegating
~.07
Bakersfield, California, July 6, 1971 - Page 7
the program to United For Progress, which is an incorporated~ non-
profit group entirely separate from KCEOC. United For Progress
was started in order to help people help themselves, and when Mr.
Jacobs opposes this kind of delegation without exploring what the
delegate agency is and what the opportunities are, then he dis-
agrees with him. He thinks there is a great deal of difference
between a group doing something for themselves and a group sitting
in an advisory capacity to the Redevelopment Agency. He stated
that he is not disagreeing with Mr. Jacob's report, but he would
not have made such a negative recommendation.
Mr. Jacobs stated that he does not believe he and Dr.
Lyness are in any disagreement at all because he does agree com-
pletely that any value of the project is found in the economic
area. He does not think it is in a housing project, as he would
be very surprised if the project would produce more than five or
six housing units.
After additional discussion, it was moved and seconded
to accept and adopt Mr. Jacobs' report dated July 6, 1971. The
Council, Planning Commission and Kern County Council of Governments
are to be advised of the action taken by the Redevelopment Agency
and furnished with copies of Mr. Jacobs' report. This motion
carried unanimously.
There being no further business to come before the
adjourned at 12:20/~.M.
Agency, the meeting was ~~~l~~
y eld' - '
Redevelopment A
Assisfant Secretary to the Bakersfield
Redevelopment Agency