Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-09-29-81-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 29, 1981 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 4:30 p.m., September 29, 1981, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor Milton R. Mackaig presiding. PRESENT: Council Members: Milton R. Mackaig Mayor Lyell W. Swearingen Mayor Pro Tem James T. Quinn Robert G. Cormack Theodore H. Jackman ALSO PRESENT: John W. Donlevy, City Manager Dudley Lang, Assistant City Manager William Goggin, City Planner Harald J. Henriksen, City Engineer Harry Rayson, Building Official Lt. William Lund, Police Department Bharat Chawla, Principal Planner Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Mayor Mackaig announced the purpose of the meeting is to Review Progress on Development of the proposed Civic Center Project. Mr. Donlevy explained this meeting was scheduled for the Council to receive a detailed presentation on the status of the Civic Center Project. He then reviewed the Hotel Project and the agreement between the City and Hometels, which specifies the City shall vacate the existing City Hall by May 1983. The City also entered into an agreement with Hugh Gibbs & Don Gibbs as architects for the Civic Center. Mr. Donlevy said the Civic Center Corporation was formed for the purpose of issuing bonds for financing the Civic Center. The City has entered into a facility lease with the Corporation to lease the facilities, which rental would pay the outstand- ing bond indebtedness. The firm of Orrick, Harrington & Sutcliffe was hired to form the Corporation and prepare all legal proceedings for the sale of bonds. Dean Witter Reynolds was hired as financial consultant to prepare the plan for financing the project. Mr. Donlevy stated the proposal is to construct a three-story City Hall structure of approximately 51,000 square feet to house all City operations, in- cluding Parks & Recreation, Water, Public Works, and Housing, who are not presently located in City Hall. The Police building will be a one-story structure of approximately 28,000 square feet to house all Police Department operations and provide adequate needs for the City. It is proposed to expand the existing Library of 15,750 square feet by adding approximately 11,400 square feet to provide the needs of the Library system. Mr. Donlevy mentioned Hometels is proposing to construct an eight -to -nine story facility of approximately 250 rooms. The office building on Dolan will be a 40,000 square foot facility and located at the intersection of Firestone. No changes are proposed for the Chamber building or the Theatre. Mr. Donlevy stated that financially and site -wise, a community center cannot be included to the pro- posed Civic Center Project. He did express hope, however, that the City Council will give this serious consideration in the future when surrounding areas become part of the Redevelopment area. - Mr. Donlevy estimated the project will produce an annual debt service of between $1,250,000 or $1.5 million per year, and he commented further on possible sources of funding for the bonds. He also pointed out the time schedule involved for the entire Civic Center Project, including the Hotel, is critical. Mr. Donlevy recommended proceeding with the project, which he said is needed for the economic redevelopment of Downey. He feels this will be a starting point to also stimulate redevelopment in the Downtown area. Mr. Donlevy then narrated a slide presentation of the Civic Center Project, including the office building and hotel. He noted the entire project will take approximately 12-to-14 months to construct. Mr. Bob Weilege of Gibbs & Gibbs, Architects, referred to a displayed render- ing and reviewed the proposed Civic Center Project. Mr. Art Jacobs of Gibbs & Gibbs discussed the specific plan for each floor of the City Hall building, as well as the Council Chamber and Police building. Council Minutes 9/29/81 (adj.) -1- v? Mr. Weilege commented on proposed expansion of the Library. Mr. Joe Litten of Dean Witter Reynolds reviewed the time schedule for sale of revenue bonds and a financial sheet of the estimated costs involved. Mr. Donlevy pointed out the exact amount of the bond sale will not be known until the construction bids are received. Pat Barnett of Orrick, Harrington & Sutcliffe explained the non-profit corporate structure of the Civic Center Corporation. It was moved by Councilman Cormack, seconded by Councilman Jackman, and passed by unanimous vote to approve the plan for the Downey Civic Center Project and authorize staff to proceed. Ruth Coffaro, representing Friends of the Library, complimented the Council - on the Civic Center Plan. She then commented on the offer of the Friends of the Library to help raise funds to pay for furnishings of the Library addition, and noted $5200 has been donated to date. It was moved by Councilman Jackman, seconded by Councilman Cormack, and so ordered to set a hearing on Zone Change Case #179, property located between Dolan Avenue and Brookshire Avenue, and Second Street and the northerly property line of former Downey Elementary. School Property (Civic Center), for 7:30 p.m., October 13, 1981, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall. It was moved by Councilman Jackman, seconded by Councilman Quinn, and so ordered to set a hearing on General Plan Amendment (Civic Center) for 7:30 p.m., October 13, 1981, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall. Mr. Charles Jones, 7848 Brookmill Road, Chairman of the Library Advisory Board, expressed appreciation to the Council for approving expansion of the.Library. Mr. Mike Manicone, 10400 Gaybrook, requested the Council to go on record in support of providing a multi -service community center. Mayor Mackaig said the Council is cognizant of the need for a facility, but it is not financially feasible at this time in the location of the Civic Center. He indicated this would have to be given further consideration in the future. Mr. Donlevy and Mr. Lang were commended for the tremendous job of putting together the Civic Center Project. Each of the Council Members expressed enthusiasm toward the new Civic Center. The meeting was adjourned at 5:28 p.m. i�J ' Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Mi. ton R. Mackaig, ftay.r Council Minutes 9/29/81 (adj.) -2-