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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/17/19 CC AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS JULY 17, 2019 COUNCIL MEETING NOTE: A separate meeting will be called to order at 3:30 p.m., followed by public statements that encourage comments pertaining to the workshop and closed session matters only. After receiving any public statements, the Council will 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. REGULAR MEETING – 3:30 p.m. CLOSED SESSION There will be a conference with legal counsel regarding one item of existing litigation and a conference with the Labor Negotiator. REGULAR MEETING – 5:15 p.m. APPOINTMENTS Appointments by the Vice-Mayor to an Adhoc Committee for evaluation Item 7a. of Public Sector Executive Recruitment Firms for the recruitment of the City Manager. At the Special City Council meeting on July 10, 2019, Council voted to form an adhoc committee to evaluate public sector executive recruitment firms for the recruitment of the City Manager. The Vice Mayor will appoint three members from the Council to the Committee who will present their recommendations to the full Council. CONSENT CALENDAR Resolutions Senate Bill 5 – Local-State Sustainable Investment Incentive Program. Items 8.J. Since the elimination of Redevelopment in 2011, the Legislature has created new tools that use tax increment financing such as “enhanced infrastructure financing districts” (EIFD) and “community revitalization authorities” (CRIA); however, the tools lack sufficient financial capacity compared to what existed under the development agencies. SB 5 would allow local jurisdictions to submit project applications to a newly created State “Sustainable Investment Incentive Committee,” would decide which projects would be authorized, and then direct the County auditor to transfer tax revenue from the Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund (ERAF) into an Investment Fund to be used for the project. Eligible project categories include: construction of workforce and affordable housing, transit-oriented development, and projects promoting strong neighborhoods. SB 5 would help improve financing in support of local development efforts and is also recommended for support by the California League of Cities. HEARINGS Public Hearing to consider General Plan Amendment/Zone Change at Item 10.a. Weill Park. The action would change the land use in order to qualify the site as a possible location for the construction of a future “emergency shelter facility” to address the local homeless crisis. The most recent annual "Point in Time" count showed an increase in un- sheltered homeless individuals in Bakersfield, and local service providers and community members have indicated that there is a shortage of available emergency beds and affordable housing. Therefore, on November 1, 2018, City Council adopted Resolution No. 143-18 declaring a shelter crisis within the City of Bakersfield, and on June 28, 2019, Council adopted the FY 19/20 Budget which included a $4 million dollar allocation for construction of an emergency shelter facility in Bakersfield. Staff continues to research the specific needs among homeless within the local community and potential locations for the shelter. Weill Park has been identified as a potential candidate because it is already owned by the City, most park amenities have been removed over the last decade, it is not heavily used by the surrounding community as a park, and because the site is relatively isolated from surrounding properties due to being bound by the Railroad, Golden State Highway, and industrial businesses. This action is a preliminary step to allow the site to be a possible location for the facility, but there will be additional items before City Council before the final decision is made on the location and features of the shelter. Next steps will include additional research by Staff related to the possible design of the facility, services to be provided, possible “low barrier” components, potential service provider partners, and possible operators. Staff will also continue to review of alternative site locations, if available. This research will be presented to Council in tandem with future decisions on construction and operation contracts. NEW BUSINESS Economic Opportunity Area Plan Update. In 2016, City Council Item 13.a. approved the City’s Economic Opportunity Area Plan and seven Economic Opportunity Areas (EOAs). The Plan is a locally initiated program that uses tax increment financing to promote economic growth within the EOAs. The purpose is to facilitate increased private sector investment in economically challenged areas by creating growth in tax revenue, promoting business growth, and generating new jobs. The passage of the Public Safety and Vital Services measure now allows general funds to be added to fund economic development activities, a top community priority. City Council also requested updates to the Plan during the FY 19/20 Budget adoption process. Therefore, a Draft Updated EOA Plan is being presented for Council consideration with the following updates: Enhanced financial incentive options with more developer assistance and loan financing with community or non-profit partners, Program implementation details, Extension of EOA term to 15 years, Increased threshold for Council approval to $25,000, and inclusion of $100,000 per year of initial PSVS funds for the first 5 years of the plan. AT Approved: Alan Tandy, City Manager cc: Department Heads City Manager’s File City Clerk’s File News Media File ____________________________________________ Agenda Highlights – July 17, 2019 Council Meeting Page 2