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12-10-1997 - Regular Meeting - MinutesMINUTES AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF WEST COVINA AND A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF WEST COVINA DECEMBER 10, 1997 The joint meeting of the West Covina City Council and the Redevelopment Agency was called to order by Mayor Wong at 7:07 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina. ROLL CALL Mayor Wong, Mayor Pro Tern Melendez, Councilmembers: Herfert, Howard, Touhey Others Present: Starbird, Yoshizaki; Collier, Fong, Martyn, Dunlap, Miyasato; Berry REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:08 pm. ROLL CALL Chairman Wong, Vice Chairman Melendez, Agency Members: Herfert, Howard, Touhey HEARINGS CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING — GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. IV-97-31- ZONE CHANGE NO. 658 NEGATIVE DECLARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT EXECUTIVE LODGE — PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ISSUANCE OF MULTI -FAMILY HOUSING REVENUE BONDS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AGREEMENT WITH SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HOUSING DEVELOP- MENT CORPORATION Applicant: Southern California Housing Development Corp Location: 1333 West Garvey Avenue North General Plan Amend. IV-97-31 Mayor Wong explained the purpose of the hearing was to consider the conversion of the Executive Lodge Motel into a 124-unit multi- family, affordable housing development and the issuance of multi- family housing revenue bonds. He stated that these two hearings are related and would be considered together. City Clerk Berry stated that the record contains ,the following documents: From Planning 1. Draft - resolutions certifying the Negative Declaration of Environment Impact and approving General Plan Amendment No. IV-97-31 and an ordinance approving Zone Change No. 658. From Redevelopment: 1: Draft resolution approving the issuance of multi- family housing revenue bonds by the Redevelopment Agency. 2. Affordable Housing Agreement between Southern California Housing Development Corporation and the. Rede- velopment Agency. Agency/Council Minutes of 12/10/97 • Staff Presentation Redevelopment Agency Director Yoshizaki presented the staff report, discussing the history of the project, the terms of the Affordable Housing Agreement, and the issuance of bonds by the Redevelopment Agency. He corrected the requested amount of $100,000 to $150,000. Project Coordinator Miyasato addressed the developer's fees. Planning Director Collier presented the staff report on the General Plan Amendment, Zone Change, and the Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact for the Executive Lodge project. Public Testimony Mayor Wong opened the public testimony portion of the hearing and asked for comments favoring the Executive Lodge project and its accompanying documents. The following addressed Council: Jeff Burum Jeff Burum, Executive Director of SoCal Housing, detailed his company's vision and method of operation. He stated that several of his staff members and related program staff members would following him in addressing the Council/Agency Board. Dena Gutierrez Dena Gutierrez, Water of Life Community Church based in Rancho Cucamonga, addressed the social activities and positive impacts on the residents and community of a similar site in Rancho Cucamonga. Beth Walls Beth Walls, social director for the Rancho Cucamonga project site, spoke of her program and work, noting that the West Covina project would benefit as well from programs set up specifically for the City of West Covina. Lisa Zatek Lisa Zatek, a volunteer with VISTA, echoed Ms. Walls' comments. Gerald Falls Gerald Falls, a resident at the Rancho Cucamonga site, spoke highly of the social programs made available to him which have given him a new lease on life. He was very appreciative of the efforts of SoCal Housing Development Corporation. Jeff Burum Jeff Burum, Executive Director of SoCal, presented a slide show of other revitalized sites located in Realto, Cathedral City, and Yorba Linda. He then introduced his staff that would be working on specific areas on the West Covina Executive Lodge project and they in turn spoke about their particular facets of the project: * John Busey, SoCal's project director. * Timothy Smith, principal architect. * Richard Karlinger, construction contractor. * James Aliberti, director of project management. * Allyson Holt, marketing strategist. * Olen Jones, director of social programs. Jeff Burum wrapped up the presentation, reaffirming his com- mitment to the Executive Lodge project. City Manager Starbird clarified that the Agency had paid SoCal Housing $17,500 a month for consulting and management fees from April through September, as part of the original agreement. The Agency was to be credited back $5,000/month. Recess Mayor Wong called a recess at 9:00 pm. The City Council reconvened at 9:23 pm with all members present. City Manager Starbird stated that there is certain predevelopment work that could be completed now to get the project going, such as Agency/Council Minutes of 12/10/97 architecture and construction drawings. If the Council wishes to get the project moving now, it could fund these items before CDLAC approval and the issuance of bonds. Mayor Wong asked for comments in opposition and the following addressed Council: Paul Gipple Paul Gipple, 125 N. Walnuthaven Drive, commented on the survey conducted by Council several months ago. He stated that he was not in opposition to the selling of the property, but was opposed to the cost of the acquisition and the financial arrangements. Mayor Wong asked for comments in rebuttal. Jeff Burum Jeff Burum, SoCal Executive Director, responded to Mr. Gipple's comments. He compared per unit costs of this project versus the Lark Ellen Towers project. City Manager Starbird noted that such comparisons are difficult when discussing affordable housing, but the $45,000 per unit was reasonable. Testimony closed Mayor Wong closed the public testimony portion of the hearing and commenced Council discussion. Council Discussion Mayor Pro Tern Melendez and Councilmembers Herfert and Touhey spoke favorably of the project and the benefit to be derived by the community upon its completion. Councilmember Howard was not supportive of developing the property as proposed; that there is no need for the City to become the social agency for the community; and the consequence would be spending the City's money unwisely. Mayor Wong commended SoCal for their professional presentation and their other successful projects. He stated support for the land entitlements; however, he had problems with the financial aspects of the project and would not support that. Action by City Council: City Clerk presented: Resolution 9518 - RESOLUTION NO. 9518 — A RESOLUTION OF THE certifying Neg. Dec. CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, CERTIFYING THE NEGATIVE DECLARA- TION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT FOR GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. IV-97-31, ZONE CHANGE NO. 658, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 507, AND PRECISE PLAN NO. 861, PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT OF 1970, AS AMENDED Resolution 9519 - RESOLUTION NO. 9519 - A RESOLUTION OF THE approving General Plan Amend. CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALI- FORNIA, APPROVING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. IV-97-31 Motion by Herfert and seconded by Touhey to waive further reading of the resolutions and adopt. Motion carried 4-1 with Howard voting ra. City Clerk presented: Ordinance introduced - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE Zone Change 658 CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALI- FORNIA, APPROVING ZONE CHANGE NO. 658 Motion by Touhey and seconded by Herfert to waive further reading of the ordinance and introduce. Motion carried by roll call vote: AYES: Herfert, Melendez, Touhey, Wong NOES: Howard 3 Agency/Council Minutes of 12/10/97 City Clerk presented: Resolution 9520 - RESOLUTION NO. 9520 — A RESOLUTION OF THE issuance of bonds CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALI- FORNIA, REGARDING ISSUANCE OF MULTI -FAMILY HOUSING REVENUE BONDS Motion by Herfert and seconded by Touhey to waive • further reading of the resolution and adopt. Motion carried 4-1 with Howard voting no. Redevelopment Agenc Ay ction Secretary Berry presented: Resolution 512 - RESOLUTION NO. 512 — A RESOLUTION OF THE agreement approved CITY OF WEST COVINA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY APPROVING THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Motion by Herfert and seconded by Touhey to (1) waive reading and adopt the above resolution and (2) appropriate and approve the expenditure of up to $150,000.00 uncommitted 20% set -aside funds for predevelopment and property operation costs for the project. Motion carried 3-2 with Howard and Wong voting no. ADJOURNMENTS Redevelopment Agency Motion by Touhey and seconded by Herfert to adjourn the Rede- velopment Agency at 9:56 pm. Motion carried 5-0. City Council Closed Session Motion by Touhey and seconded by Herfert to add a closed session to the City Council Agenda to discuss a matter of pending litigation. Mayor Wong clarified that the motion requires a 4/5 affirmative vote of the Council to enable the Council to agendize the matter for Council consideration at a closed session. Motion carried 5-0. . Attest: City Clerk -Janet Berry Mayor Wong recessed the City Council meeting at 9:58 pm to conduct a closed session to discuss the following matter in the City Manager's Conference Room at City Hall: CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL: POTENTIAL LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(c): One Case. The closed session concluded at 10:24 pm. Motion by Touhey and seconded by Herfert to adjourn the meeting at 10:24 pm. Motion carried 5-0. o h 4 W AIJ,_ A (4' Mayor )jamin Wong 4