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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-22-2007 SSMINUTES JOINT CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SPECIAL STUDY SESSION CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 183 NORTH MAIN STREET LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2007 ~*«.*,.*.*..~..«*«.~~***~.~~*.****,~~.,~:.***.~.~..****.~««*:***.****~..*~:~:,~.~„*,.~,~~:.*„~,t,k,~*: CALL TO ORDER - 5:00 P.M. Mayor Magee called the Joint Special Study Session to order at 5:04 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: BUCKLEY, HICKMAN, KELLEY, SCHIFFNER MAGEE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE Also present were: City Manager Brady, City Attorney Leibold, Administrative Services Director Pressey, Community Development Director Preisendanz, Public Works Director Seumalo Building & Safety Manager Chipman, RDA Project Analyst McCarty, Information/Communications Manager Dennis, GIS Analyst Barrazo, Administrative Assistant Paltza and Deputy City Clerk Soto. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Civic Center City Manager Brady introduced the item and acknow~edged Administrative Services Director Pressey and RDA Project Analyst McCarty for their outstanding work. Administrative Services Director Pressey stated that RDA Project Analyst McCarty was new to the City presented his background, education and skills. RDA Project Analyst McCarty commented on meeting a member of the Historical Society and discussed the future of the City. He gave a summary of the previous Study Session, discussed the revitalization and vision of downtown as well as sites for the new Civic Center. He commented on the Design Competition and the details associated with the competition. Me commented on the public facilities that need to be updated and retrofitted. Fred Dominguez commented the Main Street Merchants would like to keep City Hall on Main Street, in addition to a post office. Enwood Thompson, representing Lee Ruben & Allen Partnership Developers, commented that as an architect he was in favor of Site 4. He said the location is important and Main Street was the best location. Kristine Zortman, Shopoff Group, indicated the location was important to a project. She suggested having multi-family housing nearby to bring residents into the Civic Center area: Councilmember Buckley commented on the size of the Library and stated that the Vick Knight Library will remain open. He also suggested renovating the existing Council Chamber if sites 1 or 2 are chosen, instead of building a new one. He noted the problem with site 1 will be the on-going litigation. He suggested the possibility of building upward on the new Civic Center. Councilmember Kelley complimented RDA Project Analyst McCarty on his report, charts, pictures and the research that he completed. She stated she liked site 1 and 2 combined, but was in favor of site 4. She also stated she was in favor of a historical style of design and a peaceful campus setting. She stated that there should be no more than 3 stories if it is decided to build up on the new Civic Center. Mayor Pro Tem Hickman commented that the report was excellent. He noted he was in favor of site 1, but because of legal problems that may not be possible. He inquired whether or not the City has eminent domain authority. City Attorney Leibold stated the City does have eminent domain authority for municipal projects. Mayor Pro Tem Hick'man commented that he was in favor of site 4 and site 2. He also stated he was in favor of the 2-stage competition and also of building up beyond 3-stories if need be. Councilmember Schiffner stated the reason for building was to revitalize the downtown area. He stated he was in favor of combining sites 1 and 2. He indicated he was in favor of more than 3 stories. Councilmember Buckley commented on the project being financially feasible. He stated that he met with the post pffice officials who indicated that Lake Elsinore is high on their priority list for a new facility. - Mayor Pro Tem Hickman commented he was in favor of site 1. He stated the outflow channel couid possibly be made into a river walk. He commented on the 2 need to revitalize Main Street. He noted site 4 would be an ideal location for housing. Mayor Magee commented on what the Council, as a whole, was in favor of. He noted how he would like staff to proceed. MOVED BY MAYOR MAGEE, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM HICKMAN TO DIRECT STAFF TO; 1) INCLUDE THE SITE 1 AND 2 COMBINATION IN ADDITION TO SITE 4 FOR CONSIDERATION; 2) AUTHORIZE A DESIGN COMPETITION IN A 2-STAGE PROCESS TO INCLUDE JUDGES THAT REPRESENT THE POST OFFICE AND LIBRARY; 3) BEGIN THE PROCESS TO EXPLORE THE 20 GRANTS AND STRATEGIES TO HELP IN THE REDEVELOPMENT OF DOWNTOWN, 4) PURSUE THE PURCHASE OF SITE 4; 5) TO HAVE THE DESIGN MAINTAIN THE HISTORIC STYLE OF DOWNTOWN AS PART OF THE ARCHITECTURE; 6) TO HAVE THE DESIGN INCORPORATE A"CAMPUS STYLE " APPROACH IN REGARD TO THE SET UP OF THE FACILITY; AND 7) TO HAVE THE DESIGN INCLUDE UP TO 3 STORIES, POSSBLY 4. Councilmember Buckley inquired about changing the language on site 1 and 2, to consider legal ramifications and/or modifications. He stated the Council should be less specific on the design competition. RDA Project Analyst McCarty stated he will provide specifications at the next Council Meeting. THE FOREGOING M.OTION CARRIED BY A UNANIMOUS VOTE. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Magee adjourned the Joint City at 6:10 p.m. CITY OF AT~,E$T: P , n t' r-. /' Study Session E.'fVlA,fi~E, MAYOR THOM CK , CHAIRMAN REDEVELOP NT AGENCY MICHELLE SOTO, DEPUTY CITY CLERK CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 3