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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1974/12/18 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA Held Wednesday December 18, 1974 An adjourned regular meeting of the City Council was held on the above date beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Conference Room, City Hall, 276 Fourth Avenue with the following Councilmen present: Councilmen Scott, Hobel, Hamilton, Hyde, Egdahl Councilmen absent: None Staff present: City Manager Thomson, City Attorney Lindberg, Director of Public Works Cole Also present: Supervisor Jack Walsh, Administrative Assistant to Supervisor Walsh Sharon Reid, Bill Tipton, Inter- governmental Affairs for the County, Bill Heiter, County Planning Department, Jim Tennant, County Parks and Recreation Department, Bud James, Coor- dinator for County's Law and Justice Agency COUNTY'S POLICY ON Mayor Hamilton opened the meeting at 5:10 SPHERE OF INFLUENCE p.m. and asked Supervisor Walsh for a AND DEVELOPMENT OF staKus report on the sphere of influence CASTLE PARK REGION study. Mr. Walsh explained that when he was approached by Chula Vista on this, he presented it to the Board of Supervisors and subsequently, it went to LAFCO. The 1972 legislation required these studies to be made. LAFCO then received the funds and assigned personnel to work on this project. The study, as it now stands, is that LAFCO has approved a three- subregional area study. The first area is E1Cajon-La Mesa and the South Bay area will be studied in early 1975 as the second study. City Manager Thomson noted that his office sent LAFCO all pertinent information for this study early in 1973. In answer to Councilman Hobel's query, Mr. Walsh stated that $40,000 has been budgeted for this study. (Councilman Scott arrived at this time.) Castle Park Planning Supervisor Walsh commented that the City and County's planning staffs worked on a plan for down-zoning the Castle Park area. He presented this plan to the Board of Supervisors and it was approved. Community Planning Groups Councilman Hyde questioned the establish- ment of these groups indicating that they may be counter-productive to good planning. They seem to foster the idea that little communities in the unincorporated areas can achieve many of the best features of an incorporated community without annexing to a big City. Adjourned Regular Meeting 2 December 18, 1974 Mr. Walsh stated he is very much in favor of community planning grQups and compared these groups to the 'Municipal Advisory Councils. As to the sphere of influence report, Mr. Walsh said this should be ready this spring and remarked that if LAFCO doesn't contact this staff by February, to so advise him. Bill Heiter Mr. Halter submitted a map of the County area showing land use and zonings in the Castle Park area. He explained the areas down-graded by the County (from R-2-A to R-i-A). Parks in County At the request of the Council, Mr. Tennant noted on the map the area set aside for a park. Mr. Walsh explained that the County received a grant for a 10-acre park site in this Castle Park area. Mrs. Reid explained that the park area in question was north of Montgomery High School, south of Main Street, east of Third Avenue (in the river bottom). Councilman Hyde commented that this was a classic example of developing a park in the wrong location -- where there is no demonstrated need -- and within proximity of one of Chula Vista's parks. In answer to Councilman Scott's query, Mr. Walsh stated that for the first time ever, the County has put in parks in cities. Right now~ the County is going into regional parks and Mr. Walsh cited the Sweetwater Regional Park in this area. County Revenue Sharing Mr. Walsh declared that last year, he money asked all of the cities in the county for applications forc~id~r~tio~ of use of County Revenue Sharing money for any projects that might have joint usage. The only one that came to the Board was National City for whioh the Supervisors approved some funds, with $55,000 more being approved next year. Annexations Mayor Hamilton questioned the lack of support received from the Board of Supervisors on annexations. Mr. Walsh explained that the Board decided not to take a position on any annexations. His personal position was one of support. Bonita Shopping Center Discussion ensued regarding the County's support of National City's proposed shop- ping center en the Bonita Golf Course site. Adjourned Regular Meeting 3 December 18~ 1974 Mr. Walsh felt the County would not recon- sider buying this property for the Sweet- water Regional Park. He explained how National City received permission to put the drainage for this proposed Center on County park land thereby using the fill from the County park land for the shopping center site. SW£ETWATER REGIONAL PARK In answer to the Council's questions, Mr. Walsh explained the funding source to purchase Mt. Cowles. He added that the County will be spending close to 7 million dollars for the acquisition of land for Sweetwater Park. This has the number one priority on park acquisition. Mr. Tennant discussed pending litigation concerning the Morrison property. Mr. Walsh commented that as the Sweet- water Regional Park is developed, the City may want to investigate having some coordination in development of their own park site (Rohr). Mr. Tennant commented that the overall Sweetwater Regional Park project will cost $15,000,000 and comprise a total of 670 acres. LOCATION OF SOUTH BAY Supervisor Walsh recounted the background COURT SYSTEM of the legislative act which allowed the establishment of this district. He remarked that he discussed with the Mayor and staff the idea of having a Super Block adjacent to the Chula Vista Civic Center complex which would house the Court facilities. The staff indicated that Chula Vista's governmental needs were met, so now the County is consider- ing sites to the east of this City. Mr. Walsh discussed E1Cajon's Super Block in which that City gave the County the land. For the cost of the land, E1Cajon received 60 million dollars worth of facilities. LIBRARY BRANCHES In answer to the Council's questions, Mr. Walsh commented that Chula Vista was approached on the subject of a joint venture for the Branches - one in the Castle Park and one near Bonita. However, the Council went ahead with th~ centralized library from its revenue sharing money. The County subsequently is now looking toward locating smaller facilities in those two locations (Bonita ~nd C~stle Park). Adjourned Regular Meeting 4 December 18, 1974 Councilman Scott declared that the only contact the City has had regarding a joint library facility was County's proposal for one on Beyer Way. He added that with the Serra System, everyone (in and outside the City limits) has access to the libraries and therefore, he felt this should still be a joint venture project. (Councilman Egdahl left the meeting at this time.) COURT FACILITY Mayor Hamilton noted how Chula Vista led the fight to obtain the legislation for the Court District and said the Council expects to see this facility constructed in Chula Vista. Supervisor Walsh commented that the Mayors in the other County cities agree with this concept and he feels there would be no problem in locating the complex here. Councilman Hyde said the City has hired a consultant to initiate a redevelopment project for Third Avenue. The consultant can be directed to look at the feasibility of a court complex in that area. Bud James Mr. James explained that there will be three courts open on July 1. He said he will go the Board of Supervisors on January 29 with an inventory of services and sites and would welcome any City input prior to that time. Mr. James also discussed temporary court facilities. Councilman Hyde questioned utilization of the Post Office and the former Chamber of Commerce buildings for temporary court headquarters. Mr. James indicated he would investigate this. Mr. Walsh suggested his staff meet with the City staff around the middle of January and reach some understanding regarding the Court and Library facilities. The Board of Supervisors will be consider- ing th~ court house location on February 13, 1975. City Manager Thomson remarked that his staff did have meetings with the County staff. He personally attended one of the meetings and was told the County needed 15 to 20 acres for the Court complex -- the acquisition of this land would be approximately $500,000. Councilman Scott asked that the County supply the answers to the following questions; (1) what are they looking for in regard to the Court complex; (2) what anciliary uses would the Court have; Adjourned Regular Meeting 5 December 18, 1974 (3) how much acreage is needed; (4) what can the City do to get this complex. LIBRARY BRANCHES Discussion followed regarding locating branches in this area. Supervisor Walsh stated he would submit a full report to the Council -- where they (County) have been and where they are going -- and have the staff review it. COURT FACILITY The Council discussed the time element in getting information to Mr. James concerning the court complex. Council- man Hobel commented that communications between the staffs should open up again. City Manager Thomson declared they were never closed and noted a letter he sent to Supervisor Walsh in November in which he suggested the use of the old Post Office building. In answer to the Manager's question, Mr. James remarked that the acreage needed for a court complex depends on the design of the building -- if it was a high rise building, then less land would be needed. Supervisor's Statement Mr. Walsh stated that the County is interested in working with the staff and the Council on the location of the courts (temporary and permanent facilities) and if there is anything they can work out on the library question, they are interested. His staff is currently working on these programs and would be more than willing to work with the staff. He asked that th~Council direct both staffs to work with each other. REGIONAL GOVERNMENT Supervisor Walsh indicated there would be no time for discussion of this item and suggested another conference be called after the first of the year. Motion for staff direction It was moved by Councilman Hobel, seconded by Councilman Hyde and unanimously carried that the staff be directed to work with the County staff on the library and court complex. Mayor Hamilton thanked Mr. Walsh and his staff for their attendance at this meeting. Councilman Hyde suggested the Council meet with Mr. Walsh at least once a quarter. Executive Session The Council recessed to Executive Session at 7:07 p.m. and the meeting reconvened at 7:19 p.m. Adjourned Regular Meeting 6 December 18, 1974 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hamilton adjourned ~he meeting at 7:19 p.m. stating it was the concensus of the Council that a Council Conference be called for December 30~ 1974 at 3:00 p.m. to discuss the library and court issue.