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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-26-2011 RDAMINUTES REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 183 NORTH MAIN STREET LAKE ELSINORE, CA 92530 TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2011 CALL TO ORDER Chairwoman Melendez called the meeting to order at 8:40 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Chairwoman Melendez Vice-Chairman Tisdale Member Hickman Member Bhutta Member Magee ABSENT: None Also present: Executive Director Brady, Agency Counsel Leibold, Treasurer Baldwin, Director of Administrative Services Riley, Public Works Director/City Engineer Seumalo, Director of Lake, Parks and Recreation Kilroy, Agency Secretary Bloom and Office Specialist Porche. CLOSED SESSION There were none. PUBLIC COMMENTS - NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS - 1 MINUTE Steve Stafford stated that he has been in contact with the City's Code Enforcement Department regarding his property on issues that began in 2006 and requested the Redevelopment/Council assistance. Chairwoman Melendez recommended Mr. Stafford speak with Mr. Chipman in the Code Enforcement Department. PUBLIC COMMENTS - AGENDIZED ITEMS - 3 MINUTES There were none. Lake Elsinore Redevelopment Agency Page 2 of 4 Regular Meeting Minutes of April 26, 2011 CONSENT CALENDAR (1) Approval of Minutes Recommendation: It is recommended the Redevelopment Agency approve the following minutes: a) Joint Study Session Meeting of March 22, 2011 b) Regular Redevelopment Agency Meeting of March 22, 2011 c) Joint Special Meeting of March 24, 2011 (2) Warrant Lists Dated April 14, 2011 Recommendation: Authorize payment of Warrant Lists dated April 14, 2011. (3) Investment Report - March 2011 Recommendation: It is recommended the Redevelopment Agency receive and file the report. (4) Consideration of the California Redevelopment Agency Association's Alternative Proposal to Governor's Proposed Elimination of Redevelopment Agencies Recommendation: It is recommended that the Redevelopment Agency support the CRA proposal, select Alternative 1 as the preferred alternative and direct staff to complete and submit the California Redevelopment Association Alternative Proposal Survey accordingly. It was moved by Agency Member Bhutta and seconded by Agency Member Hickman to approve Consent Items 1 through 4. The motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARING(S) No public hearings scheduled. BUSINESS ITEM(S) (5) Status of Building at 154, 156, 158 Main Street Recommendation: It is recommended that the Redevelopment Agency direct Agency staff to (1) begin the demolition process of the building located at 154, 156, and 158 Main Street; (2) prepare plans for an interim downtown public parking lot and improvements; and (3) evaluate proposed long-term uses consistent with the proposed Downtown Master Plan. Redevelopment Analyst Carlson provided an overview of the project. Lake Elsinore Redevelopment Agency Regular Meeting Minutes of April 26, 2011 Page 3 of 4 Connie Soto asked the Agency how much did the City pay for the property? When was it purchased? Why is the demolition fee range so different? How much would it cost the City to rehab the buildings and why is CR&R offering free trash disposal from the demo debris? She suggested the City sell the property to a private sector which would bring business and revenue to the City. Kimberly Ryan, business owner, spoke in favor of demolishing the buildings. She stated, as a business owner adjacent to the property, parking is difficult and the Council needs to look out for the interests of the businesses on Main Street. Chairwoman Melendez stated that the property was purchased in 2009 for $1.2 million. City Manager Brady stated the idea was to purchase the property for an opportunity to redevelop the Downtown area. Agency Member Tisdale asked what a realistic bid would be to demo the buildings? City Manager Brady suggested going out to bid again. Agency Member Tisdale stated the Fire Department was given permission to conduct training in the buildings. He would like to see the buildings removed and to develop the land to enhance Main Street and the City. Agency Member Magee noted that the owners of the Main Street buildings asked to be purchased by the Redevelopment Agency, and that CR&R offers free service as part of their franchise agreement with the City. He noted that the buildings are not current with earthquake standards and if rented, could place the City in liability. He stated the way the property stands it does not support economic development and that an interim use as a parking lot would be appropriate. Agency Member Hickman stated his concerns with the way the project was presented. He stated the City has been renting out the buildings for approximately $40,000.00 yearly. He stated the buildings are no use now and will need to be demolished. Agency Member Bhutta agreed that the buildings should be demolished. She suggested having an interim parking area or to go out for a request for proposals to see if someone would be interested in constructing a business on Main Street. Chairwoman Melendez provided a timeline of the purchasing of the buildings. She noted she was displeased that City Council/Redevelopment Agency was not asked if they would like to rehab the buildings or have them demolished. She announced that these buildings represent $1.2 million dollars of tax payer's funds, including attorney fees and the City has nothing to show for it. City Manager Brady stated it was staff's intent to move forward with the process of future development with the property. Chairwoman Melendez asked why the City would move out three businesses that brought revenue into the City and demolish the buildings. City Manager Brady stated the buildings needed significant amount of repairs because the buildings had been neglected for many years. He stated the City was moving forward with the design of the Incubator, but because of the tax increments and the Lake Elsinore Redevelopment Agency Regular Meeting Minutes of April 26, 2011 Page 4 of 4 decline of the property values, did not get the funding from the tax revenues. Chairwoman Melendez asked how much damage was done to the buildings as a result of the Fire Department training? Building Official Chipman stated holes were cut into the roofs, some structural damage to the walls and the entire building was saturated with water. Chairwoman Melendez stated she would like to see a private developer purchase the building and then they could decide for themselves to demo the building rather than the Redevelopment Agency. Connie Soto noted the date of the economic decline and asked why the property was purchased during that time as $1.2 million for the property was too much. She stated the community needs to be made aware of who was responsible for the selling of the property and how they spend the tax payer's money. It was moved by Agency Member Hickman and seconded by Agency Member Bhutta to direct Agency Staff to begin the demolition process of the buildings located at 154, 156 and 158 Main Street, prepare plans for an interim downtown public parking lot and improvements, and evaluate proposed long-term uses consistent with the proposed Downtown Master Plan. The vote passed 4 to 1 with Chairwoman Melendez voting no. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COMMENTS There were none. LEGAL COUNSEL COMMENTS There were none. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS There were none. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Agency Board, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. to a regular meeting to be held on Tuesday, May 10, 2011, the Cultural Center located at 183 N. Main Street, Lake Elsinore CA. Melissa Melendez, Chairwoman Redevelopment Agency Virginia" Ji. l Ioomj AVency Secretary