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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-10-07; Housing and Redevelopment Advisory Committee Ad Hoc; MinutesMINUTES MEETING OF: HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE DATE OF MEETING: October 7, 1981 - Continued Meeting TIME OF MEETING: 4:OO P.M. PLACE OF MEETING: CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Co-Chairman Hayes at 4:03 P.M. City Council Chambers ROLL CALL Present - Members Hayes, Carney, Chriss, and Moralez. Member Ward arrived at 4:08 P.M. Member Runzo arrived at 4:09 P.M. Member Hall arrived at 4:lO P.M. Absent - Member Helton. Also present were: Drew Aitken, Acting Director Chris Salomone, Administrative Aide Frank Aleshire, City Manager Ron Beckman, A s s is t ant City Manage r /Development Frank Mannen , Ass is t ant City Manager /Admini s t rat ion Marty Orenyak, Building Official Joe Eggleston, Administrative Assistant Girard Anear, Council Liaison Amy Villalobos, Administrative Assistant James Hagaman, Planning Director Laeuna Plaza Drew Aitken gave a staff report on the matter, indi ti - g that the project adequately meets the goals and intents of the Design Manual. He explained that most of the open space is taken up in a slope, parking will be underground, and there are provisions for a pedestrian system, Mr. Aitken continued to explain that the project is compatible with the Village atmosphere. that the only concerns Staff had were with the underground parking; however, since that time, Staff has met with the applicant , and same has been revised. He indicated Following discussion, the Committee found that the Design Review Proposal, DRB #l5 Laguna Plaza, meets the objectives and guidelines of the Village Design Manual, and recommended that same be found consistent with the Design Manual, subject to the following conditions: 1) Approval of a sign program, prior to the issuance of a Building Permit. 2) Approval of a landscape plan, prior to the issuance of a Building Permit. 3) That the Notice of Violation be cleared with the Engineering Department, prior to the issuance of a Building Permit. 4) The addition of a trash enclosure. Member Hayes indicated she would abstain on this item, as she lives next door. CITY MANAGER'S SPECIAL MEETING Frank Aleshire, the City Manager, indicated he would like to discuss where the City is going in Housing and Redevelopment, and filling personnel vacancies in that Department. MEMBERS \I Carney Chriss Hal 1 Hayes Moralez Run z o Sanchez Ward - X X X X X X _..- MINUTES October 7, 1981 Page 2 Mr. Aleshire continued that Staff has been asked to make a presentation on where they feel they are going with Housing and Redevelopment, and what the goals and objectives are. He inquired if the Committee felt that it was a good idea to have Housing and Redevelopment combined, or should the City consider separating the two programs. Mr. Aleshire then discussed the main functions of Redevelopment, and requested input from the Committee on same. Drew Aitken then explained the Workplans provided by Staff, outlining the specific tasks within the Department. He indicated that Staff has been informed by the County that the block grants have been increased. Committee discussion then reflected on the existing personnel vacancies within the Housing and Redevelopment Department . Mr. Aleshire explained that the City could contract with the County to run the program; however, they would also receive the funds. Discussion reflected on the level of services, should the program be turned back over to the County. Mr. Aleshire indicated that the HUD Program is primarily a paper work program, and the only reason the City would want to turn it over to the County is that they are more familiar with the paper work and audits. Amy Villalobos explained the County Program, indicating that there are 13 cities in the County Housing Authority, and they are working out of San Diego. the County has not decentralized their office. She added that Committee discussion then reflected on the feasibility of separating the Housing and Redevelopment Advisory Committee into two Committees. Mr. Frank Mannen explained that the objectives were general at the time of the reorganization, which grew out of an overall examinat ion of reorganizat ional possibilities by the then City Manager. He added that the objectives were to deal with general objectives in existence at that time, and the City was under a requirement to make allowances for Housing in the Redevelopment area. The Redevelopment Law placed a lot of emphasis of Housing, and he explained that at that time, it made sense to look at the programs as a combined operat ion. Mr. Mannen continued that the Staff resources were the main concern, and even though the interest of the members of the Committee might not have been compatible, the re- organization was an attempt to respond to internal needs in the City Manager's span of control. In conclusion, Mr. Mannen explained that the Housing Authority can operate anywhere within the City, but the Redevelopment activities are specifically defined in the Redeve lo pment are a. Member Hayes expressed concern that the Human Services Advisory Committee was not present at this meeting. Y MEMBERS MINUTES October 7, 1981 Page 3 Mr. Aleshire agreed that Human Services is also involved; however, explained that the Committee need more time to organize. He added that they are to meet with Council on October 27, 1981. The Committee indicated that the Human Resources drain on Staff time set the Housing and Redevelopment Committee back. Discussion then reflected on personnel changes. Mr. Mannen continued to explain that when the City combined the objectives of the programs, they were somewhat general in nature; and in the meantime, the Housing Element of the City was adopted which gives more specific direction. The Redevelopment Plan was also adopted, which outlined more specific objectives. Mr. Mannen added that the Housing and Redevelopment Committee objectives have never really been clear, which is what we need to focus on now. Chairman Ward indicated that the Committee was getting into implementation, rather than setting policy. He added that we need to begin implementing the guidelines. Mr. Ron Beckman indicated that the City is in the process of implementation, and suggested that the program be staffed . Mr. Aleshire inquired if the Committee wanted to keep the Staff at its present level, or put it together into different combinations. Following discussion, the concencus of the Committee indicated their desire to Staff the Housing Program. Discussion included the feasibility of integrating the Housing Program with Redevelopment, and implement at ion of the Housing Element of the General Plan. With regard to personnel, Member Hayes indicated she would like to see an efficient staff, and spoke in opposition of the City utilizing consultants. Committee concensus revealed reluctancy to give up the Housing Authority which is well established; and if it were staffed properly, could be a very efficient organization. With regard to Housing, Committee concensus reflected no objection to the idea of separating Housing as functional, and have its own department head, operating as a sub-department. Chairman Ward suggested that Housing is going to have to be implemented by the City if we are going to have Housing other than Section 8. With regard to Redevelopment, Chairman Ward indicated that they act as the advocate with the municipality to promote redevelopment. If the Redevelopment staff were consumed or taken over by other departments within the City, the advocate role of Redevelopment would be influenced by those department s . MEMBERS October 7, 1981 Page 4 Chairman Ward continued to explain that the Redevelopment Department is the major issue, since the policy makers have made the commitment to Redevelopment to be the promoters of same. He added that there does have to be some promotion to induce the private sector to invest in the Redevelopment area. Chairman Ward continued that he does not see how the Redevelopment Department would blend into certain functions, such as Engineering and Planning. committee discussion reflected their desire to see a full compliment of Staff augmented. It was suggested that the City operate on a trial basis for a year or eighteen months with the appropriate number of Staff, and offer more attractive salary inducements for City employees. Mr. Aleshire expressed concern that the Committee spends most of its time in the planning aspects of many of the projects, instead of being advocates and promoters of Redevelopment. Member Hayes responded that the Design Manual gives the Committee the tool to implement such issues as signing and parking spaces. Member Chriss stated that the Committee has been given the responsibility of acting as an interim Planning Commission, and now act as the Design Review Board, which is not their function. Mr. Chriss stated that in his opinion, the Committee is to act on policy, not as a Design Review Board. He added that the Committee was appointed as the Design Review Board by Council, as the Redevelopment Plan was not approved. Mr. Aleshire expressed concern about creating another Committee, and suggested that the Committee hold a joint meeting with the Planning Commission and Planning Staff. Committee discussion reflected on the qualifications and personality of a new director, and the purpose of the Redevelopment Program. Mr. Aleshire stated his opinion that Housing and Redevelopment should be separated, as they are separate programs. Discussion again reflected on the feasibility of separate Housing and Redevelopment Committees. James Hagaman, the Planning Director, indicated he was interested in any negative feelings with regard to planning, and stated he was unsure of the origin of same. He added that there have been procedural problems within the two departments; however, he stated he feels the goals and support are similar. Mr. Aleshire explained that the Planning Department and Staff has been an obstacle in getting things done in the Redevelopment area, as the goals and object ives are different. Mr. Hagaman as head of the Redevelopment Program, or possibly another Staff person from Planning, in order to build better communication between Planning and Redevelopment . He suggested the possibility of appointing MEMBERS ‘ MINUTES October 7, 1981 Page 5 Mr. Aleshire continued to suggested that possibly the Planners should be appointed as the Design Review Board, or at least attend Committee meetings. Mr. Beckman explained that one of the goals since Developmental Services was formed, is to achieve the goal of working together. He added that we have to develop the feeling that we can trust each other to do out jobs within the program. Planning, Engineering, and Building have been working together, and we need to work towards adding Redevelopment. Marty Orenyak, the Building Official, stated that this City is no different from another other City. He added that it seems Redevelopment never gets along with other departments, as they are an advocate of development, and Planning, Engineer, and Building are more regulatory departments. Mr. Orenyak also stated his opinion that the City does not have to look very far for a qualified Director for Redevelopment. Member Hall stated his feeling that the two major priorities are to get the paperwork and staffing in order, and then get Council to make a firm commitment. He added that everything else will then fall into place. Mr. Harold Clarke addressed the Committee, and indicated he would like to see the Streetscape Plan move forward. He indicated he has been talking with businessmen in the ara, and they want to see action. He added that they are not present at the meetings, as they are "burned out .I1 Design Manual and Procedures Manual Drew Aitken suggested that the Committee set a special meeting to discuss this item. With regard to the Design Manual, he indicated that the City Attorney has reviewed the documents, and has raised some concern that deals with policy. regard to the Procedures Manual. He added that he has not heard any comments with Following brief discussion, the Committee set a special continued meeting for Wednesday, October 21, 1981 at 4:OO P.M., at Harding Community Center, for the purpose of discussing the Design and Procedures Manuals. Senior Housing Project Drew Aitken indicated this was an informational item, and gave a brief status report on same. He added that Staff will be meeting with the County on Tuesday, October 13, 1981 to firm up some agreement positions, and will go to Council sometime in November. He also added that the Board approved the allocations for the $300,000. Chairman Ward commended Staff for their work on the program. Eighth Year Community DeveloDment Block Grant Chris Salomone gave a brief report on the matter, and indicated that he convinced them to use the 1981 census data. MEMBERS -- . . ,. MINUTES October 7, 1981 Page 6 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of the Meeting, held August 17, 1981, were cont hued . ADJOURNMENT By proper motion the meeting was adjourned at 6:07 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Ann R. Alleman Minutes Clerk TRANSCRIPTS ARE KEPT UNTIL APPROVAL OF MINUTES. MEMBERS Y