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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-02-22; Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Committee Ad Hoc; MinutesApproved 11/7/11 CITY OF CARLSBAD AGRICULTURAL CONVERSION MITIGATION FEE AD HOC CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACMF COMMITTEE) MINUTES Monday, February 22, 2010 Faraday Center, Room 173A 1635 Faraday Avenue, Carlsbad, CA 92008 1. CALL TO ORDER: ACTION: Chairperson Larson called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Committee Members Present: Chairperson Eric Larson, Vice Chairperson Julie Baker, Jackie Stone, Hope Wrisley, Richard Erhardt, and Ken Alfrey. Staff Members Present: Minutes Clerk, Leticia Treviño; Associate Planner, Kevin Pointer 2. APPROVAL OF JULY 6, 2009 MINUTES: ACTION: Committee member Hope Wrisley moved to approve the minutes of the July 6, 2009 Committee meeting. The motion was seconded by Jackie Stone and carried unanimously. 3. RECEIVE REPORT ON STATUS OF PROJECTS AWARDED WITH AGRICULTURAL CONVERSION MITIGATION FUNDING The Committee received a report from Mr. Pointer on the status of grant projects awarded between 2007 and 2008. At the November 17,, 2008 meeting the Committee requested that staff return at future meetings and provide a status update to the Committee on grants that have been awarded by City Council since the Committee began making recommendations on expenditures of the funds. 4. RECEIVE REPORT ON AVAILABLE FUND BALANCE The Committee received a report on the available fund balance from Mr. Pointer. Page 2 Committee discussion ensued regarding the available fund balance. The Committee reached consensus, agreeing that the available fund balance is insufficient to solicit applications for grant funding. 5. COMMITTEEE DISCUSSION ON AWARDED GRANT AGP 06-16 (LA POSADA FARM WORKER HOUSING) Mr. Pointer introduced the item indicating that in 2008, a $2 million grant was awarded for the La Posada project; however, a condition of the grant only authorizes disbursement of $108,500 to fund project design work. In June 2009, staff disbursed $54,400 to the grantee. Prior to disbursement, (in January 2009) the Committee received testimony from the grant recipient explaining that the project could still be constructed however the grantee was having a difficult time securing operational funds necessary to operate and maintain the building once constructed. At is January 6, 2009 meeting the Committee passed a motion indicating that the grant recipient should return to the Committee within six months to provide a status update and again within one year, upon which the project should be viable. If project is not viable, the Committee could consider making a recommendation to City Council that the remainder funding ($1,945,600) be reprogrammed such that it would be made available to fund other grant projects. The grantee provided its first report to the Committee at its July 6, 2009 meeting and is returning at the present meeting to address the Committee’s concerns regarding project viability. Catholic Charities representative, Sister RayMonda DuVall, addressed the Committee regarding design; a plan for funding operations; and, a preliminary construction budget. Sister DuVall requested that the Committee make a recommendation to City Council that the remainder funding be made available to Catholic Charities so they can proceed with construction of the project. Committee discussion ensued regarding the operations and construction budget. Mike Colarusso, also representing Catholic Charities, responded to Committee concern regarding the construction budget. Chairperson Larson opened the item to public comment. Tom Maddox addressed the Committee regarding La Posada de Guadalupe as a component of the Housing Element of the General Plan. Chris Calkins expressed concerns regarding the construction budget and the use of the funds to support housing for homeless, as well as women and families. Tom Maddox additionally referenced the use of the shelter for farm worker housing purposes until a time when there is no longer a need. Kathy Wellman addressed the Council regarding a need for farm worker housing needs in Carlsbad. Committee member Baker requested that staff address the timeframe for which it is anticipated that farm worker housing in Carlsbad will no longer be needed. Page 3 Committee member Alfrey made a motion, which was seconded by Chairperson Larson, that the Committee recommend City Council approve release of the full amount of the funding with disbursement being based upon milestone benchmarks and progression towards completion of the project. The motion was approved 5-1 with Committee member Baker dissenting. 6. PUBLIC COMMENT Casey Cinciarelli addressed the Committee regarding separation of funds to support homeless and farm worker housing needs. Greg Rubin introduced himself as the new chairperson for the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation. 7. FUTURE COMMITTEE MEETING DATE Fred Sandquist stated that he anticipates addressing the Committee by the third week of March to discuss the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation’s grant for lagoon monitoring and management. The Committee identified March 29, 2010 as the next potential meeting date. 8. ADJOURN Chairperson Larson adjourned the meeting at 2:44 pm. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, Leticia Treviño, Minutes Clerk