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Home My WebLink About10/12/1998 - City Council Special Meeting - Redevelopment Agency71 SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITY OF COSTA MESA OCTOBER- 12, 1998 The City Council and the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Costa Mesa, California, met in special joint session on October 12, 1998, at 4:10 p.m., in conjunction with the regularly scheduled Redevelopment Agency meeting, in Conference Room 1-A of City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. Notice of the special meeting was given as required by law. The meeting was called to order by Mayor/Agency Member Buffa ROLL CALL Council/Agency Members Present: Mayor/Agency Member Peter Buffa Mayor Pro Tem/Agency Chair- person Gary Monahan Council Member/Agency Vice Chairperson Libby Cowan Council/Agency Member Joe Erickson Council/Agency Member Heather Somers Council/Agency Members Absent: None Officials Present: City Manager\Agency Executive Director Allan Roeder City/Agency Attorney Thomas Kathe Redevelopment and Housing Manager Muriel Ullman Assistant City Engineer Ernesto Munoz Budget and Research Officer Carol Jacobs Accounting Supervisor Diane Butler OLD BUSINESS The Assistant City'Engineer reviewed his Agenda Report Surplus City -owned dated October 12, 1998, stating that on December 1, 1997, Properties at 2150 the City Council directed that three City -owned surplus Maple Street, and properties at 2150 Maple Street, and at 570 and 574 Victoria at 570 and 574 Street were to be set aside for possible redevelopment for Victoria Street affordable housing purposes„ in connection with ongoing negotiations between the Redevelopment Agency and Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, Inc. He reported that at the special joint meeting of the City Council and Redevelopment Agency held on September 14, 1998, Vedat Demir, 2162 Maple Street, Costa Mesa, offered to purchase the three properties to develop a community park. The Assistant City Engineer mentioned that at this meeting, Council directed staff to investigate the potential traffic impacts of a . residential development on the three parcels as opposed to the impacts associated with development of a "pocket" park. He also reported that staff was directed. to determine the feasibility and, potential for developing a "pocket" park on the three parcels and to re- examine the need for parks in this area. The Assistant City Engineer reviewed the traffic considerations outlined in his Agenda Report, concluding that the additional Average Daily Traffic (ADT) generated by either the proposed Habitat for Humanity development or a "pocket" park is negligible. He added that the cost to develop these parcels (a combined area of 14,960 square feet) as a typical "pocket" park is estimated at $250,000.00; however, the Community Services Department does not recommend a park development because of the possible negative impact on the neighborhood. He noted that the properties- are ' located behind 'the Victoria Street sound wall, a4nd there is a potential' for creating problems by attracting transients. and 'Other" undesirables, particularly at night; and active recreation 'would not be appropriate adjacent to residences: Responding to Mayor Pro Tem Monahan's comment, the Assistant City Engineer Istressed the security concerns if -a park were developed:' The' City Manager added that the size of the site is":substandard for park purposes, but there are only a few parce'Is 'available for park development 'on the west side which meet the criteria contained in the Parks and Parkway Master Plan: Vedat Demir, 2160 Maple' Street, Costa Mesa, voiced his opposition to any'single-family' dwellings being developed on the three parcels under discussion. Mark Rosen, 2700' North Main Street; Suite 630, Santa Ana, Mr.' Demir's -attorney; '-questioned the soundness 'of `locating three houses on lots of less than 4,000 square feet, and asked if a mutual driveway along the property wall was necessary: - Mr. Rosen agreed that the proposal by Habitat for Humanity is a good one but in the wrong 'location'; asserted that a park wasmore suitable because it' would provide`a play area for children; disagreed - with" the Community Services Department's concerns because_ the neighbors agreed`to provide park security; and noted that Mr. Demir's offer relies on Government Code Section 54221 which allows for remnant surplus parcels to be offered to contiguous property owners. Nelson Hernandez;; `` 2232 Maple Street, Costa Mesa, expressed concernthat with Habitat's project, property values would sage-arid'ther 'e_ would be .a shortage' of' -parking." Julie Sage, 2221 'Maple Street, Costa Mesa, stated that 'a park would benefit many neighborhood families with children` Keegan McGrath; 2224 Maple Street, Costa Mesa, was I in favor of a park 'since there were already. traffic problems in the area. He volunteered to help provide security for park, Alex Tortes, 2182 Maple Street, Unit 103, Costa Mesa, a n`ew property owner. in the neighborhood, supported a tot lot 1 1 ui3 Ia ' �y t 73 park which would benefit all families in the area. He thought the parcels were too small for residential development. David Law, 2212 Maple. Street, Costa Mesa, stated that the people in the neighborhood support the park concept and would help to make it a safe place. Shirley, Stahler, 2157A Maple Street, Costa Mesa, did not believe .vandalism :would be a. problem if a park were constructed. Mayor Buffa wanted to make sure that Mr. Demir understood the full, responsibility that accompanied the development of a private park;.'., Mr. Rosen, Mr. Demir's attorney, responded that his clienf -,is,. aware -of that responsibility. Mayor Buffa was concerned :about the City Council's decision to review development of `a City -owned park rather than ownership by a private citizen . Mayor Pro Tem Monahan asked the Assistant City Engineer if the Victoria Street sound wall could be removed if the park were developed. The Assistant City Engineer responded that staff would need. to do some research to make such a determination. He believed that the wall may have been a requirement of the Environmental Impact Report for the Victoria Street widening. Motion Made to Council Member Cowan made a motion to reserve 2150 Reserve Properties Maple Street, and 570 and 574 Victoria Street for for. Habitat for development by Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, Inc. Humanities Council Member Erickson seconded the motion for discussion. Council Member Erickson expressed concern with the limited park facilities on the west side of the City. He was also uncertain about the three sites being suitable for the Habitat for Humanity's project.. Council Member'Somers would not support the motion since she believed further -discussion was -necessary concerning the park option. She questioned the cost for a park predicted by staff, and suggested` development of a passive park containing trees and .sidewalks only. 'She concurred with Council Member 'Erickson's comment and, given the size of the subject lots, she felt they would not be conducive to the Motion Withdrawn promotion of good family living. Council Member Cowan withdrew her motion. MOTION/Gave A motion was made by Council -Member Somers directing Directions to Staff staff to investigate 'the.,,actual costs of-diwieloping a park and to .Obtain Costs for to bring a budget adjustment forward. Park Development Mayor Pro Tem Monahan asked_ .for clarification of the motion. Council Member Somers explained that she wanted all three parcels to _ be set aside fori possible park development, and ' staff is 'to' bring forward `a budget item for all ihreel lots during` Fiscal `Year 1999-2000. The City Manager suggested obtaining public input prior to development .of' the 'park.` 74 AMENDED MOTION Council Member Somers amended the motion to include a Directed Staff to direction to staff , to, obtain community input prior to Obtain Community development -of 2a park. The amended motion was seconded Input by Mayor Pro•Tem- Monahan; and" carried 5-0. NEW BUSINESS The City- Manager ' summarized, his Agenda Report dated Appointment of October 8, 1998', stating that after Acting Finance Director Acting Treasurer Marcus Davis terminated his tenure with the City on August 31, 1998, the City Council appointed Revenue Supervisor Jason Simpson as Acting Treasurer. He reported that on October 1, 1998, , Mr. Simpson tendered his resignation effective October 16, 1998, and Section 2-3 of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code requires that the City Council make an appointment to fill this position. MOTION/Andrea Daroca Appointed Acting Treasurer; Authorized Invest- ment Advisor ADJOURNMENT The City Manager added "that the Personnel Department is recruiting for.the'positions" of Finance Director and Assistant Finance Director, and 'he expects these positions to be filled by the end of 1999.- The "City Manager recommended that Andrea Daroca, who is presently serving as Interim Finance Director, be appointed as Acting Treasurer, and "that the City Manager be authorized to contract for an Investment Advisor who will not 'make investments but will provide monitoring services. On motion' by' Mayor B.uffa, seconded by Council Member Cowan,' and carried 5-0, Andrea Daroca was appointed Acting City Treasurer, and the City Manager was authorized 'to 'contract for an Investment" Advisor. " Mayor Buffa declared the meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m. Mayor of �he City of Costa" Mesa ATTEST: Deputy City t1lerk of the City of Costa Mesa 1 1 1