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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-20-1994 City Council Study SessionMINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 130 SOUTH MAIN STREET LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1994 ********,t************************************,t,t****************** CALL TO ORDER Mayor Pro Tem Dominguez called the Study Session to order at 2:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Alleqiance was led by City Treasurer Pape. ROLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: ALONGI~ CHERVENY, DOMINGUEZ, WINKLER ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: WASHBURN Also present were: City Manaqer Molendyk, Administrative Services Director Boone, Public Services Director Tecca, City Planner Leslie, Comxilunity Services Director Sapp, Manager of Special Projects Watenpaugh, City Treasurer Pape and Deputy City Clerk Bryning. DISCUSSION ITEM 1. Lake Master Plan/Economic Feasibility Study. (F:92.1) Manager of Special Projects Watenpaugh noted that the Lake Edge Specific Plan has been in proqress for the last year and a half and the EIR is in progress so that the Lake Master Plan does not duplicate information or create a conflict. He explained that the plan Ron Noble of Noble Consultants, Inc., is presenting is a Master Plan for the Lake, but many of the suggested projects are not proposed to be developed or funded by the City. This plan will include private enterprise. Councilman Alongi asked if the County had been removed from the Lake Edge Specific Plan. Manager of Special Projects Watenpaugh explained that the County is developing their own plan and the City's will be used as an advisory only. The Lake Edge Plan is for City Limits only. Ron Noble, Noble Consultants, Inc., explained the intent of the Master Plan is to maximize the usage and the diversity of the various recreational water sports activities that can take place in the Lake and along the shoreline; to make use of existing recreational water access facilities to the Lake and to review and modify the Plan to conform to the Lake Edge Specific Plan. He then presented exhibits which illustrated the intent of the Master Plan and explained the different projects proposed and their uses which included beaches, marinas, parks, hotel/restaurant facilities and other different types of concessions. He included the private proposals as well as projects which can be developed by the City. MAYOR WASHBURN ARRIVED AT 2:20 P.M. City Manaqer Molendyk asked if the exhibits reflected a 1240' or 1249' elevation, because if the projects were designed at the 1240' level they would be under water at the 1249' elevation. PAGE TWO - CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION - JANUARY 20s 1994 Mr. Noble stated that all the projects have been based and designed for a 1240~ to 1250' elevation ~o allow for the water to rise and fall. City Manager Molendyk explained that the shoreline could be contoured by either the City or the developer to control the type of activities which the shoreline could accommodate. Mr. Noble concluded that the types of facili~ies proposed would develop a good revenue base for the City and provide different types of water oriented recreation and related business to the public, City Manager Molendyk noted that this Master Plan is in rough draft form and is being presented to Council for their review and direction. He explained that it is necessary to have a Mas~er Plan in place in order to gualify for grants. Mr, Molendyk explained that the major questions the Council needs to consider for 1994 are as follows: What they want Staff to do regarding water quality; what is to be done with the boat launch facility to give the public access to the Lake; what is the launch policy. City Manager Molendyk asked Manager of Special Projects Watenpaugh and Mr. Noble what it would take to make the boat launch area useable again. Mayor Washburn stated that he has been asked why the City is doing this. He explained that he felt that it was obvious that the City owns the lake and to iqnore the revenue and recreational sources would be silly. He asked what was meant by pfiasing the project. City Manager Molendyk explained that staff needs direction in regard to which projects, such as fishing beaches, the Council would like staff to do first. He explained that this was for economic feasibility reasons. He further explained that it will be a mixture of public and private clevelopments, but there must be a financial plan in motion to pay for each item. Iie asked that Council give some thought to tfiese expenditures just as the City has done witfi the Master Plan of Streets on a five year program. Mr. Molendyk explained that certain street are done each year, and the Lake might be approached in the same mannere Councilman Winkler aslced if the Elsinore West Marina is based on a public concept. Mr. Noble stated that it coulcl be approach in either direction, public or private. Councilman Winkler stated that he was under the impression that the City had to provide a certain amount of public access to the Lake and wondered about that issue. He asked staff to check and asked Mr. Noble what percentage is qood for public aase and what should be used £or private usee Mro Winkler stated that the levee would be used as recreational. He further brought up the possibility of estate homes on the Cit~ side af the Lake and questioned if it would be of benefit to the community. kIayor Washburn explained that with the exception of the homes that are on the Lakeshore at this time, the only other homes in City Limits which were on the shoreline were the homes that used to be on Lakesfiore Drive from the old Aloha Pier site to ~he existing homes. He stated tfiat there was some suggestions of pontoon homes along tfie lower roadway next to ~he existincy Lakeshore Drive. PAGE THREE - CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION - JANUARY 20, 1994 Councilman Winkler stated that what he needs to know, both from staff and legal counsel is what are the requirements for public access. He asked Council to think about what they want to have as public access; the control and enforcement of the Lake should be taken into consideration. He stated that he is not in favor of having the fishing and beach area on Lakeshore Drive. City Manager Molendyk explained that if Lakeshore is widened to four lanes there will be no room for development, that area would be used for circulation only; the remainder of the area would be used as a green belt for the public. Councilman Winkler asked when ~Council decided that. City Manager Molendyk stated that when Council adopted the Tourism Study, that area was a designated scenic route. Councilman Dominquez stated that since long before the State turned over the Lake, they have recommended that Lakeshore Drive be a green belt. He stated that when the flood of 1980 occurred, that was the recommendation of F.E.M.A. City Manager Molendyk stated that there is a difference in philosophy in regard to Lakeshore Drive. If Public Services Director Tecca is asked, he would like Lakeshore Drive to be a four lane road. Mr. Molendyk explained that Lakeshore Drive can be kept a two lane road to slow traffic down and promote a scenic and tourist area. He further explained that piers can be developed to address fishinq, and grant monies are available for that specific development. Mr. Molendyk explained that the minimum of public land must be the amount of what the City received at the time we assumed ownership of the Lake. He explained that one of his concern is as the population grows there is a greater need for public access. Councilwoman Cherveny asked if fishing is going to be in restricted areas. Mr. Noble stated that there would be designated areas but not restricted areas. Councilman Alongi questioned the facilities that would be placed on the proposed sites and asked if they would be at a low elevation. Mr. Noble stated that all the buildings would be at 1265' elevation. The beaches and marinas would be at 1240' to 1249'. The design allows for the water to rise and lower to those levels, but the structures themselves would have to be at 1265'. Only the parking lots would be at 1260'. Councilman Alongi explained that his concern is not with the marinas themselves, because they float up and down, but rather the launching facilities. Mr. Noble explained that the problem with the existing site of the public launch ramp is ~chat at the former elevation it rose steeply and then tapered off into a long flat area before dropping off again. The other proposed ramps are at a steeper elevation. That problem would be addressed at the time of construction to be sure that they are at a steep enough angle to allow for the rise and fall of the elevation of the water, with the proposed ramp going from 1260' to 1236'. City Manager Molendyk clarified the fact that when a permanent launch ramp is installeci, there would not be the problems that the current ramp has experienced. Mr. Noble stated that the location is better and the area would be dredged to assure the proper contours. PAGE FOUR - CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSYON - JANUARY 20~ 1994 Councilman Alongi aslced if the City could build severai launcka ramps tha~ would accommodate launching at different levels. Mr. FlatenpaugP~ explained that ~he proposed ramps woulcl accommodate at all levels. They are designed to allow for the water to come up and go down in elevation. City Manager Molendyk explained that before further discussion to reach a decision, he felt a study from the Engineering Department regarding a two lane road and a four lane road on Lakeshore Drive would have a direct impact on this project. Mayor Washburn stated that he felt that suggestions from Engineering were important ,and he stated that he would like input from the different organizations using the lake and the Water District as well. Manaqer of Special Projects Watenpaugh explained that this plan followed the original direction that was given at the first presentation and the EIR was based upon that. He stated that he will proceed with a projection of eacpected construction cost, operatinq costs and revenue sources. Councilman Dominquez stated that if staff looks at the first General Plan, Lakeshore Drive was designated as a four lane road and Lakeshore Drive from the bridge ~o Main Street was intended as a hotel row. City Manager Molendyk explained that whafc Mr. Noble and Mr. Watenpaugh are looking for is any specific instructions that Council might want ir- regard ~o the project, such as what Councilman Winkler asked in regard to estate homes. Councilman Alongi sta~ed that he would like to see where the County of Riverside is going to be and what they riave plannecl since this does have a direct impact on the project. Manager of Special Projects Watenpaugh explained that 5upervisor°s Aide Mr. VanVechten and Supervisor Buster were unable to attend today's meeting, but they will be receiving a copy of this draft for their input. City Manager lKolendyk stated that Lakeshore Drive is a major issue and what the City and the Water District are going to clecide wlaat tfie water elevation is going to be, FIe concluded by saying fhat Lakeshore Drive, lake access and water quality are issues that must be resolved before the project can go forward. He explained that improved water quality will bring in the private sector. NYayor Washburn thanked Mr. Noble for a good presentation and stated tfiat this is a good start. He explained that having a Master Plan and the EIR in place will encourage private snvestment. City Manager Molendyk explained phasing and priorities that would place the private sector in the situation where they would develop where we want them to and when we want them to. NYr. Noble explained the plans for the State Park and stated ~hat doing an EIR is necessary in order to apply for qrants for Marinase City Manager Molendyk explained that fie has been working with Ken Edwards of the Riverside County Flood Control Agency regarding the outflow Channel and Mr. Edwardsa agency and the City are in the process of applying for a$200,000 grant for landscaping of the Outflow Channel. PAGE FIVE - CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION - JANUARY 20, 1994 Manager of Special Projects Watenpaugh explained that he had been in contact with the State Park regarding patrol of the Lake. He stated that they were looking into cost and he felt that dollar wise this would be the best solution. Mayor Washburn invited the Lake Advisory Committee to review the Master Plan Draft for their input. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 3:30n p.m. ~ V"!v ~ . WASHBURN, MA: Respectfully submitted, . ~ ~ . Adria L. Bryn ng, De uty Ci lerk ATTESTo ~ e ~ ~~~~ ~~~ VICKI Ir.A~AD, CITY CLERK