Month 1999.10 October.


Day 1999.10.20HR


HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

MINUTES OF THE MEETING
October 20, 1999
5:45 p.m.


The Housing and Redevelopment Commission meeting was called to order at 5:45 p.m. by Chairperson Pat Gideon.
  1. Roll Call

Members Present:    Lee Kloppenburg, Shauna Manina, Denise Suihkonen, Steve Kappel, Pamela Ponce, W. R. Wilkinson

Members Absent:    Pat Gideon, (excused)

Staff Present:    Charles Learned, Director of Housing & Redev., Terry Rogers, Housing & Redev. Mgr., Cyndi Johnston, Housing & Redev. Mgr., Kevin Smith, Project Coordinator, Mike Palombo, Economic Development Mgr.
  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion:  To approve the minutes of the Housing and Redevelopment Commission meeting of September 22, 1999.  Approved, Suihkonen/Wilkinson, unanimous.
  1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Chair Pat Gideon asked for approval to change the order of the Agenda, to move Agenda Item 8.b. to the first position under Business, and move Item 8.a. to the second position.

Motion:  To approve the Agenda with the requested changes.  Approved, Manina/Kloppenburg, unanimous.
  1. CORRESPONDENCE
None.

5.    BUSINESS FROM THE FLOOR
None.

6.    PUBLIC HEARING
None.

7.    REPORTS
None.

8.    BUSINESS

a.    Proposed sale of land located at the southwest corner of Orange and Auto Center Drive to Anthony Batarse, Jr.

Charlie Learned introduced Mike Palombo, Economic Development Manager, who presented the proposed sale of Redevelopment Agency-owned land to the Anthony A. Batarse Trust.  The Redevelopment Agency currently owns approximately 16.89 acres of land in the Auto Center. Mr. Batarse is proposing to purchase approximately 5.1 acres of that property.  A new Nissan dealership would be built on the portion of the property currently used by the Chrysler franchise to display the Dodge trucks.   The Dodge Truck portion of the existing operation will be relocated to the 5.1 acre site.  Mr. Batarse anticipates eventually constructing one or two additional dealerships on the site.

Mr. Palombo outlined details of the sale and pointed out the advantages to the City of entering into this agreement:

Motion:  To recommend that the Redevelopment Agency approve the proposed sale and terms.  Kloppenburg/Suihkonen, unanimous.

b.    Authorization to apply for $1 million in HOME funds from HCD for the year 2000-2001.

The Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) is a HUD program designed to increase the supply of affordable housing administered through the California State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).  The City was awarded a total of $6,000,000 of HOME funds from the first through sixth rounds.  It is recommended that the City apply for another $1,000,000 of funding to assist with rehabilitation and acquisition of substandard apartments, and if feasible, to reconfigure existing two bedroom units to create larger three and four-bedroom units for which there is a great need in Vacaville.

Kevin Smith presented possible acquisition/rehabilitation projects in the Trower Neighborhood. All projects to be funded through the program would be brought back to the Commission for consideration.

Motion:  To recommend that the Council approve the resolutions to continue Vacaville’ s HOME program.  Suihkonen/Manina, unanimous.

c.    Recommendation to approve entering into a Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) with Allison Parkway, L.P.

After the completion of the Allison overpass in 1997, the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) became owner of a 6-acre remnant parcel located near the intersection of Nut Tree Parkway and Harbison Drive.  This surplus property was transferred from CalTrans to the RDA.  The RDA became the entity to own the parcel to provide flexibility in disposing the property for private development. Since the land was transferred from Cal Trans, any proceeds from the sale will be used for transportation projects.

This proposal is to authorize the sale of approximately 70,000 square feet of property located near the intersection of Nut Tree Parkway and Harbison Drive to ALLISON PARKWAY, L.P. under the terms of a Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) for the purpose of developing a restaurant.  The Agency would agree to substitute, if necessary.

The Developer agrees to close escrow on or before May 1, 2000.  Construction of the proposed development must begin no later than July 1, 2000 and be completed by December 31, 2000. Developer would be reimbursed for access road and extra parking.

In entering into this agreement, the City would derive benefits from an increase in commercial space, the addition of a good restaurant, and gain an access road which would make it easier to sell the remaining parcels.

Motion:  To recommend that the Agency approve entering into a Disposition and Development Agreement with ALLISON PARKWAY, L.P.  Wilkinson/Manina, unanimous.

d.    Update of the Vision for Downtown and the Downtown Area Economic Development Strategy (DAEDS).

Charlie Learned reviewed the vision incorporated into the DAEDS.  From the public meetings that were held, staff compiled several concepts that would guide the development of the Downtown and these were presented to the Commission.


1.    Assess parking needs and address localized parking problems via multiple new parking projects to facilitate and maximize economic vitality.

2.    Continue the concept of Downtown as an events and entertainment center.

3.    Continue the concept of Downtown as a major employment center of the community.

4.    Provide incentives to attract anchor retail and/or restaurant tenants to the downtown area.

5.    Develop Agency-owned land in the Dobbins-Bernard-Kendall area with a mixed-use project that is clearly an attraction to the Downtown (Town Square).

6.    Address existing traffic circulation into and within the Downtown area and develop projects to ensure that circulation facilities and patterns enhance rather than impede economic vitality.

7.    Assemble sites large enough to create self-contained Class A office projects on the periphery of Downtown.

8.    Continue existing Downtown Loan Program to enhance Main Street and gateways to the Area.

9.    Complete the Class A office and Hotel projects on the former Basic American Foods site.

10.    Complete Phase 2 Creek Walk Projects such as continuing the project to the McClellan Street Bridge, rehabilitation of the west side of the Creek, restroom facilities, portable stage and vending areas and various monuments.

11.    Assemble land for the development of high density housing on small infill sites or larger sites on the periphery of the Downtown area.

12.    Assist in finding a home for local theater and entertainment groups for live performances in the Downtown area.

13.    Maximize historic character of Downtown via better organization of and publicity for historic resources.

14.    Create pedestrian links between the new Theater and Ice Rink property and Main Street.

15.    Explore supporting several smaller project and ideas including updating and improving Downtown signs, public art, flag pole stands, additional twinkling lights in street trees, sesquicentennial/millennium town clock, etc.


Motion:  That the Commission recommend that the strategy presented be approved by the Council.  Kloppenburg/Manina, unanimous.

9.     COMMISSION COMMENTS

Shauna Manina asked if additional decorations were planned for the Downtown and whether the Creekwalk Plaza and bridge would be open for the Tree Lighting Ceremony.  She also expressed appreciation for all of the exciting plans for the Downtown area.  Charlie responded that requests for decorations would have to be made quickly if they were to be incorporated and that the Creekwalk Plaza would not be completed in time for the Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Steve Kappel suggested a contest in which a prize would be awarded for the best new slogan for the Downtown area.

10.    ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.