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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-03-06-79-Adjourned Regular Meeting62"7 . f I MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING MARCH 6, 1979 The City Council/Community Development Commission of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 4:30 p.m., March 6, 1979, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor/Chairman William L. Greene presiding. PRESENT: City Council/Commissioners: Theodore H. Jackman Kenneth J. Miller Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chairman Milton R. Mackaig Lyell W. Swearingen William L. Greene Mayor/Chairman ALSO PRESENT: Charles W. Thompson, City Manager Ervin Spindel, Director of Community Development Ronald Leege, Treasurer Howard Stup, Building Official Thomas Tincher, Housing d Redevelopment Coordinator Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Mr. Tincher explained the purpose of the resolution to approve the Diller Owner Participation Agreement (OPA) which would lead to the construction of a senior citizen board and care facility. He said minimal technical changes recom- mended by the City Attorney would involve condemnation costs to be borne by Mr. Diller. Other changes involve typos in the initial draft. Mr. Diller has authorized signing of the agreement. He has one or two changes that would not affect the overall substance of the agreement. Mayor Greene asked how the City is protected if the project starts and nothing else happens with the rest of the property. Mr. Thompson replied Mr. Diller is the leaseholder of the remaining 2/3 school property and would be at liberty to do as he desires unless there were other interests that wanted to come in, in which case the Redevelopment Commission would have authority to condemn the leasehold. Councilman Swearingen feels there is not enough information and asked if any proposal has been discussed with doctors interested in the development project. Mr. Thompson said he has met with the..doctors.and their Attorney. Mr. Diller has also met with Mr. Gasdia who had broached the idea of a possible joint endeavor. One doctor was not interested. However, he did not know if that represented the feeling of the other doctors. Mr. Tincher stated Mr. Diller has offered to the doctors to make a coopera- tive.effort toward constructing a 50,000 square foot area building and any sub- sequent structures on the property. Discussion followed regarding the building structures proposed for the subarea C (portions). The possibility of leasebacks was pointed out. Any lease- back would have to be a part of the OPA because the buildings would be on Mr. Diller's leased property. Mr. Diller has said he is willing to build a 50,000 square foot area structure and sell outright 30,000 square feet on agreeable terms with the understanding the other buildings would be constructed at a later date. Discussion continued with attention to Mr. Diller's lease. The lease is for 55 years. Councilman Jackman asked if the City is going to develop on leased pro- perty or on owned property. Mr. Thompson responded yes, Mr. Diller is developing on leased property; but, the OPA would be consummated prior to the end of the leases. The lease has 47 remaining years with an option for a 10-year renewal. The plan should work in close harmony with the hospital needs. An additional sewer will have to be in- stalled to accommodate any new development. Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes 3/6/79 (adj.) _1_ Mayor Greene asked if anyone in the doctor's group was notified about the study session now taking place. Mr. Thompson indicated there was no official notification, although in- terested members were present in the audience at a former Council meeting when the study session time was set. Councilman Swearingen feels more time is still needed before arriving at decisions. Mayor Greene agrees a communication problem possibly exists. Councilman Mackaig feels the present proposal under consideration is not a plan and he cannot vote on it without more input. He wants to see a more con- crete development, i.e. a whole "ball of wax" instead of piecemeal presentations. Mr. Thompson said the original plan presented to the Council was an OPA that included the whole City block. He believed it was Mr. Mackaig's idea then that it should be split apart to see about the possible joint development of the office building. The original proposal was to build the whole project. Mr. Diller asked for approval of the entire block. The doctors proposed to build an additional 30,000 square feet onto their existing building which would present a competitive element to the proposed building to be located at Davis d Brookshire. As such, the program was delayed to see if anything could be done to reconcile the differences. Sewers and parking were the two big existing problems for the doctors. If a sewer could be installed the doctors would not have to install a holding tank for their proposed building. Mr. Spindel said a sewer is needed not only to serve the subarea C project but also the adjoining neighborhood because the Downey area sewer is now operat- ing under pressure instead of normal flow. Councilman Mackaig asked why Mr. Diller's project would include a parking area and none being allocated to the doctors program. Mr. Thompson replied the existing doctors office building is not a part of the redevelopment area; neither is the psychiatric receiving center. Both facilities would, however, be to everybody's.benefit. Councilman Mackaig would be in favor of voting on a complete project package without any Leaseback agreement. Councilman Jackman inquired if Mr. Diller would resolve the current competitive problem with the doctors. He would be willing to approve the nursing home with the exception of one thing: Mr. Diller should be asked to develop the whole project. Mr. Thompson said Mr. Diller would be willing to work with doctors even to the extent that they could buy the 30,000 square feet needed for expansion. There is an existing known market for using the 30,000 square feet. Discussion followed, wherein the question arose as to why the parking area could or could not be divided between the Diller project and the doctors facility. Mr. Tincher said Mr. Diller would be willing to share the parking area on an option that they would participate in construction cost of parking facility. It was moved by Councilman Swearingen, seconded by Councilman Mackaig and passed by the following vote to conduct a joint meeting of the Community Development Commission, the Hospital Foundation Board and Hospital staff, Mr. Frank Gasdia, et al, and Mr. Diller, et al, at 4:30 p.m. March 20, 1979, in the Council Chamber. Mayor Greene prefers that Mr. Diller be present at the proposed discus- sion in an effort to obtain answers to direct questions. Mr. Thompson will set up meeting of the Commission, doctors, Mr. Gasdia, Mr. Diller and Hospital Staff members for March 20 to discuss subarea C project and agreement. Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes 3/6/79 (adj.) -2- Mr. Tincher told about plans for Mr. Raul of Western Lock & Washer, who is ready to settle with Mr. Diller and planning to relocate as soon as possible. Councilman Miller asked if Mr. Raul is eligible for relocation benefits Mr. Dick Hill of Municipal Services, Inc., replied yes. Councilman Jackman inquired if any decision to pay for acquistion of the Western Lock & Washer property will have to wait until March 20th. AYES: 5 Council Members: Jackman, Miller, Mackaig, Swearingen, Greene It was moved by Councilman Swearingen, seconded by Councilman Mackaig, and passed by the following vote that staff return and look at the Mingura project under the terms of possible commercial development and include Mingura, McAllister and concerned people in the discussion. The time scheduled is 4:30 p.m., March 20, 1979, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall. Discussion followed regarding the option that exists for either commercial or residential development of the Mingura project. Mr. Thompson reviewed the history of the Redevelopment Program aided by a map of original conservation areas. He explained how a meeting was called with the residents of the Gardendale area to discuss their neighborhood problems in- cluding more police protection and a problem with junky strip commercial (east . side of Paramount Blvd.). Slides indicating distressed economic areas were shown. The cleanup of the Gardendale/Paramount strip could be planned so as to dovetail residential and commercial projects as a means of improving the area. Mr. Mingura was informed of this proposed plan of development and he agreed to follow the plan. AYES: 5 Council Members: Jackman, Miller, Mackaig, Swearingen, Greene Councilman Miller pointed out the problem confronting the Redevelopment Commission in approving a staff recommended project and then later reversing the decision. Mayor Greene commented on the system for the Pasadena Redevelopment Commission. Members of the Commission serve four-year terms. They are separate individuals (not Council Members) and the appointments do not vary each time a change occurs on the Council. This makes for better performance by the staff. He asked if the Downey Council can continue to be a viable Development Commission or whether there should be another body to perform as a commission. Councilman Miller thinks the Mayor's statement has merit but questions whether or not the Commission would be answerable to the Council and whether or not Council would overrule the Commission. Mr. Hill explained the organization of the Pasadena Redevelopment Commis- sion: The Downey Council could establish a separate Redevelopment Commission which would be a recommending body only, appointed by the City Council who would establish guidelines and make decisions; or, the Council could appoint an agency that would make decisions and would be separate and apart from the City Council. Councilman Mackaig raised a question regarding the Cardono Jewelry Mart project and whether or not it should be zoned as commercial M-1 because of the manufacturing of jewelry. Mr. Thompson replied the zoning ordinance has been checked and manufactur- ing of such jewelry is permissible because it is design and assembly of gems and precious metals. Councilman Jackman reported on the boxing program at Apollo Park Neighbor- hood Center. He requested a list of all participants in the boxing program by name, age and address. He would like to know if participants must meet medical requirements. Councilman Jackman likes the boxing program and feels Mr. Mike Testi should be placed under a supervisor rather than a committee. Mr. Thompson said such a change is now being studied, and goals and objectives are being established to implement a continuing boxing program. Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes 3/6/79 (adj.) -3- ®62�i Councilman Jackman commented that dues are being paid to the A.A.U. (Amateur Athletic Union) and must be in cash. Receipts are issued. Mr. Thompson explained reason for the cash procedure and use of pre - numbered receipts. Former collections contained N.S. F. (non -sufficient fund) checks. Daily cash receipts are deposited to a specified account. Councilman Mackaig asked if the boxing program is strictly for Downey residents. Councilman Jackman would like to know how many Downey youths are parti- cipating in the boxing program. Councilman Mackaig inquired regarding the English Language Instruction Program at Apollo Park. He has not heard of such a program. Mr. Thompson said this is possibly a Cerritos College activity, and a classroom at Apollo Neighborhood Center is being used for instruction sessions. He will check this and report back. Councilman Mackaig would like to receive a status report on possible closure and selling of a portion of Brookshire Park. Councilman Swearingen commented on the Committee on Aging. All of the surrounding cities are providing economical homes and housing for senior citizens who cannot afford adequate shelter. He asked that a program be considered in Downey if Federal Funding is available. He referred to a particular facility. in Norwalk. Councilman Miller said he understands through a H.U.D. agent that such funds are available for aging people in Downey. Councilman Jackman recalled that Downey approved a program two years ago. Mr. Thompson will report to the Council regarding the housing program. Councilman Miller reported on a property in the Paramount Blvd. Re- development Area adjacent to the alley where someone has started modifications of a house. The area is cluttered with trash. Mr. Thompson said the owner would now like to replace the house with a new dwelling. Mayor Greene reminded Council of the 105 Freeway meeting at 1:00 p.m., March 13, 1979, at Bateman Hall in Lynwood. Mayor Greene then commented on weekly Council meetings at Whittier that usually last only one and one-half to two hours. Mr. Thompson reviewed the Council meeting procedure per City Charter. Councilman Mackaig said he would favor a meeting of one and one-half hours every Tuesday night rather than a meeting every two weeks that would go until 1:00 or 2:00 a.m. Discussion followed. At 6:15 p.m. the meeting was adjourned. Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer William L. Greene, Mayor Council/Community Devl Corm. Minutes 3/6/79 (adj-) -4-