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
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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
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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
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