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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/18/16 CC AGENDA HIGHLIGHTSAGENDA HIGHLIGHTS � MAY 18, 2016 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 to Closed Session matter(s) only. The Council will then recess into Closed Session. Upon conclusion of the Closed Session, any Closed Session action will be announced prior to adjournment of the meeting. At 5:15 p.m., the Regular Meeting will be called to order to address the remainder of the agenda items. CLOSED SESSION There will be a conference with the labor negotiator, followed by a conference with legal counsel regarding one item of pending litigation and one item of existing litigation. REGULAR MEETING - 5:15 p.m. CONSENT CALENDAR Resolutions Item 8h. Economic Opportunity Areas. In April 2016, the City Council established three economic opportunity areas, including the downtown, Bakersfield Airport and Highway 58 /Mt Vernon areas. In each established economic opportunity area, the City's portion of property tax growth (known as tax increment) will be reinvested back into each area to encourage further development and increase property values. During Council discussion on this item, Councilmembers suggested that consideration be given for three areas that staff had identified, but were not included in the initial rollout. After further review, staff is proposing to establish the East Hills, 34th Street Corridor and Baker Street Corridor economic opportunity areas. The terms are proposed to be same with a base year of July 1, 2014 and an initial term of 10 years. Additionally, while the areas are proposed to be established at this time, due to current General Fund revenue constraints, the actual accrual of tax increment will be postponed until a later date. HEARINGS Item 10a. 24th Street 2016 Final Environmental Impact Report. The 24th Street Improvement Project is part of the Thomas Roads improvement Program (TRIP) for which the City is the lead agency in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act. The project proposes to widen 24th Street and make other improvements to enhance traffic flow. In February 2014 the City certified the original Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the project. Shortly after this occurred, a group challenged the adequacy and completeness of the original EIR. In July 2015, the Court ruled that the original EIR did not fully address two items, the additional cul -de -sacs requested by local residents and eight potentially feasible alternatives to the project. As a result of this finding, the Court ordered the City decertify the original EIR and issued an injunction, which stopped all work on the project. To satisfy the Court's concerns M regarding the original EIR, the City prepared a Recirculated Draft Environmental Impact Report (R -DEIR) that comprehensively addresses the additional cul -de -sacs requested by local residents and eight potentially feasible alternatives to the project. In January 2016, the R -DEIR was released for public review and comment. Throughout the public review period, the City received written comments, oral testimony and signed petitions from a total of 120 persons. Approximately 70 percent of persons responding were in support of the project, 12 percent were opposed, and 18 percent were neutral. Staff is requesting the City Council approve a resolution certifying the new EIR and approving the project. NEW BUSINESS Item 13a. City -Owned Property on P/Q Streets. The Planning and Development Committee met on April 19, 2016 and discussed the future use of the City -owned property at the northeast corner of California Avenue and P Street. After discussion on the potential uses for the site, the Committee voted unanimously to direct staff to bring a resolution to the City Council for consideration that the City's original vision of dining and entertainment uses for the P/Q Street Property within South Mill Creek area be maintained. The Committee is recommending the full City Council approve a resolution reaffirming this vision. Approved: Alan Tandy, City Manager cc: Department Heads City Manager's File City Clerk's File News Media File Agenda Highlights -May 18, 2016 Council Meeting Page 2 RIM