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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC-09/21/2000MINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 183 NORTH MAIN STREET LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2000 ~:~~~~:~~~:~~~:~~x~:~~~:~~~:~~:~:~:~:~*:~~~~*~:~~*~*~:~~~~~:~~~~~:~~~:~~~~:~~:~~~~~~x CALL TO ORDER Mayor Brinley called the City Council Study Session to order at 230 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: PAPE, SCHIFFNER BRINLEY ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBEIZS: METZE Also present were: City Manager Watenpaugh, Assistant City Manager Best, Administrative Services Director Boone, Community Development Director Brady, Community Services Director Sapp, Planning Manager Villa and City CIerWHuman Resources Director Kasad. Communitv Profile. (F:48.1)(X:70.1) Assistant City Manager Best presented analogies and stated that it was important for the City to evaluate its current position; set its destinations and decide how best to accomplish its goals. She introduced John Husing PhD, and explained that he was hired to assist and guide the City of Lake Elsinore in reaching its economic potential. COUNCILWOMAN KELLEY ARRIVED AT 2:41 P.M. Dr. Husing provided a Power Point Presentation, e~ibits and text to the Council regarding the economic past, present and future of the City of Lake Elsinore. He discussed the trends set by the economy of the State of California and the impacts they have on the City and presented an economic overview of the State, Region and City for the last 50 years. He noted that the reason for the growth in the City and Westem Riverside County was the availability of affordable land. He stressed, "We have dirt". He presented an overview of housing and business growth; and explained that the existing market would be in favor of the City of Lake Elsinore because of available space. He commented on the rapid population increase in Western Riverside County and noted that the growth was being generated from two directions; Orange County and San Diego County, along the I-15 corridor. He made a comparison between the I-15 corridor and other areas in the Inland Empire. He made note of the desirability of Lake Elsinore far the lifestyle it offers and its central location for a variety of educational institutions. He noted PAGE TWO - STUDY SESSION - SEPTEMBER 21, 2000 that Lake Elsinore is a mecca for recreation and one of its greatest assets is the Lake. George Rivera questioned the relationship between the reduction in the crime rate and the increased growth of the area. Dr. Husing addressed the reduction in the crime rate and the increase in population and noted that two contributing factors are a decrease in unemployment and better law enforcement. Pete Dawson questioned the impact of rail access for shipping. Dr. Husing ga~e an overview of the shipping process and explained the advantages companies have in shipping from the Inland Empire. Dr. Husing highlighted a company located in the City of Temecula that produces computer chips, and noted that the byproduct of that type of manufacturing is salt water, which has to be trucked from the site for disposal. He indicated that the Temescal/Elsinore Valley Regional Interceptor is being built and within the next year will connect in Lake Elsinore. He stated that at that time the salt water produced by companies producing computer chips could not be discharged into the Lake or the water table because of its salt content. Mayor Pro Tem Pape questioned the impact Fish and Wildlife would have on the development of companies that produce computer chips. Dr. Husing stressed the need for some type of an agreement with those agencies containing a"No Surprise" clause; and noted the problems with preserving the ecology while allowing development and economic growth to continue. Mayor Brinley asked if the community needed to be more economically diversified to continue developing. Dr. Husing stated that he did not think that being more diversified was as important as location. Councilwoman Kelley asked what could be done to discourage the comparison of the City of Lake Elsinore to the City of Perris. She noted that the local papers align the cities together and she felt that there was no comparison between the two. Dr. Husing concurred and stated that the City of Lake Elsinore has developed along the I-15 corridor and the City of Perris has developed along the I-215 corridor, which are vastly different forms of development. He suggested that the local newspapers should be realigned placing Lake Elsinore with Corona or Temecula. Mayor Brinley asked Dr. Husing his opinion of the City's image. Dr. Husing stated that he viewed the City as a"neat little place where people jump out of airplanes". Mayor Brinley thanked Dr. Husing for his report and stated that it was nice to have someone outside of the community recognize the importance of the Lake and Stadium as assets to the community. PAGE THREE - STUDY SESSION - SEPTEMBER 21, 2000 Councilman Schiffner commented that the type of incentives being discussed suggest that growth in the direction of the City is not impacted by image. Dr. Husing concurred and stated that cost and distance are the two main factors. He indicated that the I-15 corridor's capacity has the ability to accept growth and that will be the reason why companies will wish to locate in the area. George Rivera questioned the cost of living issues. Dr. Husing stated that the attractiveness of the community was a major issue and indicated that the infrastructure .preparation shows a definite difference. He stated that the look and feel of the community does impact the cost of living. Mayor Pro Tem Pape questioned the brine line and what other kind of businesses would look for that. Dr. Husings stated that he did not know, however he noted that there are a whole lot of companies that need the capacity and Lake Elsinore could offer that. Carl Johnson questioned if there was going to be a downturn in the economy. Dr. Husing stated that he did not know, and so far no one knows exactly what creates a fall in the economy. He noted that there is a pattern in the economy that is being violated. He explained that when unemployment is high, the employed persons are extremely productive and as unemployment drops, productivity drops. He noted that in the last three quarters, unemployment has dropped drastically and yet productivity has risen higher than it has been in the last 30 years. He indicated the reason for the increased productivity is technology. He noted that the trend is similar to what happened in the 1920s. Dr. Husing noted that there has been discussion of an east/west route to the coast. He stated that if there were a route designed and developed it would have an instant impact on the economy. Assistant City Manager Best indicated that Lake Elsinore is a tourist resort area and explained the need to provide a hotel to keep the visitors in the community. Dr. Husing concurred that a hotel would assist in the economy; noting that in Fontana they built a speedway and jobs are not the factor, but the dollars they bring are a major factor. Councilwoman Kelley stated that the information received today, along with the Study Session on the Riverside County Integrated Plan, have created a whole picture that relates to growth and traffic mitigation. She indicated that she understood the importance of ineeting the needs of the fizture with projects that are planned now. Assistant City Manager Best addressed the industrial market and stated that it is the biggest challenge to address. Dr. Husing stated that distance and time are the problem and they are resolving themselves through growth. PAGE FOUR - STUDY SESSION - SEPTEMBER 21, 2000 Mayor Brinley thanked Dr. Husing for his presentation and stated that she was looking forward to working with him in other areas. She fizrther thanked him for the time and effort he put into the study. ADJOURNMENT THE CITY COUNCIL STUDY~ESSXON WAS ADJOLTRNED AT 4:05 P.M. PAMELA BRINn.EY`, MAYOR CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE , ATTEST: ~~ ~,~,~ VICK~~~~~iTS'" C~C CITY CLERK/ > > HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE