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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1972/05/10 MINUTES OF A REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA Held Wednesday - 3:00 p.m. May 10, 1972 A regular adjourned meeting of the City Council of Chula Vista, California, was held on the above date beginning at 3:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Civic Center, 276 Fourth Avenue, with the following Councilmen present: Councilmen Scott, Hobel, Hamilton, Hyde, Egdahl Absent: None Also present: City Manager Thomson, City Attorney Lindberg, Assistant City Manager Bourcier, Director of Planning Warren, Senior Planner Williams, Associate Planner Lee THE LIBRARY Mayor Hamilton opened the meeting by asking for comments from both the Council and those groups present as to what should be done in the future in regards to the Library. Jerry Griffith Mr. Griffith stated he had the basic re- 536 Azalea Street sponsibility of conducting the political aspects of the campaign and offered several reasons that may possibly have contributed to the loss of the Library bond: 1. MUNICIPAL ELECTION - A special election may have been more suc- cessful 2. TIMING - The last installment of property tax was due and State and Federal taxes were due four days later 3. STRATEGY OF CAMPAIGN - Was not as low key as had been planned 4. MAILING REFERRING TO SECTIONS 5300 AND 5304 OF ELECTIONS CODE - This mailing sent to registered voters a few days before the ~lection may have made voters apprehensive about the Library bond 5. THE LAKE - Many people opposed the bond issue because of the lake 6. COSTS OF REMODELING OLD LIBRARY BUILDING - The issue was not just the Library itself 7, ISSUE OF POST OFFICE - People tended to think "~fhy not use the Post Office Building?" 8. LACK OF BROAD~ GENERAL SUPPORT FROM BUSINESS CO,UNITY - Major support came from the library users Overwhelming defeat Mr. Griffith stated that in view of the overwhelming defeat the bond received, it probably would have failed anyway -- even without opposition. Many of the Library users do not feel a strong need for a new facility. Special library district In answer to Mayor Hamilton's inquiry as to the effect of the comments that came out during the campaign about a special library district, Mr. Griffith stated that he feels that the rebuttal to a special district was appropriate and accepted by the public, and that these comments had the least effect of all on the failure of the bond. Mr. Griffith told the Council that the Library Committee has met since the election and the information he is pre- senting at this meeting is a summary of their evaluation of the election. Campaign funds The Committee raised approximately $2,100 on behalf of the campaign, with about $400 remaining unspent. He did not seem to think that more money would have changed the results of the election~ Alternatives Discussion ensued as to the pros and cons of holding a special election in the future, the fact that the bond was placed on the ballot so late (Mr. Griffith believes that a bond should be placed on the ballot a good twelve months before an election), and the fact that there were so many other propositions on the ballot (Mr. Griffith did not seem to think this effected the outcome any). Councilman Egdahl suggested that there be some of kind of review of the alter- natives that have been raised and a concrete suggestion as to what would be a good way to proceed in the future. Also, what about the possibility of a joint powers agreement with local high school libraries? He also asked that the Committee give some specific suggestion as to what the Council could do. City Attorney Lindberg commented that a survey was made years ago and the library issue was at the bottom of the list. Ambiguity of issue There was discussion that there was a lack of understanding by the people of the three million dollar price tag on the bond. Mr. Griffith stated that if the Library bond were to be on the ballot again, it should be the Library by itself. Mayor Hamilton stated that phone calls to him from citizens indicated that they did not want to be obligated with the taxes of this bond and that the economic climate was not right for the issue. Need for new Library The consensus of the Library Colmmittee is that there is a definite need for a new facility and that the post office is not an adequate one. Ultimately, the citizens of Chula Vista are going to have - 2 - to decide whether or not they want a new Library -- and it's going to have to be a new building. Mr. A. B. Henderson, Chairman Mr. Henderson feels there is an immediate Board of Trustees need and there has to be an interim solution -- perhaps a q~.anset hut for the children's section of the library. He does not agree that the library users were not empathetic, but that maybe the approach was wrong. He pointed out the success of the personal contact at Fredericka Manor (the only precinct car- ried) and the lack of success of the mailings. He is asking the Council's help as to what can be done now. The possibility of using the site of the old post office for a bookmobile was offered as an interim solution by Councilman Scott. Esther Heydt Mrs. Heydt agreed with Mayor Hamilton's statement that the failure of the bond was a reflection of the difficult times we are going through. She felt people would not be ready to take another look at the bond issue until after the November election. Peter DeGraaf, President Mr. DeGraaf pointed out that when the Taxpayers Association Taxpayers Association supports a bond (for example, the Golf Course) it passes; when the Association opposes a bond, such as the Library, it fails. Mayor Hamilton stated that he wished that an organization such as the Taxpayers Association, which seems to have such an impact on the citizens of Chula Vista, would make a greater appeal to these citi- zens to become members of this organization. Councilman Hyde questioned Mr. DeGraaf as to the feeling of the Association for the need for the Library, to which Mr. DeGraaf replied that he had no knowledge of any opposition to the idea of increased library facilities. Councilman Hyde commented that an effort should be made to get organizations in the City to support the bond. Councilman Scott suggested that in the future, the City staff and Council be afforded the opportunity to explain the propositions and respond to the Taxpayers Association. Ernest Arnold Mr. Arnold referred to the possibility of an agreement with the schools for use of library facilities. In his observations, the patrons of the library are mostly students and pro- fessional people. He believes that a branch facility or a joint powers agreement with the schools (perhaps after the school redistricting issue has been voted upon) would be more desirable than a new central facility. Recess A recess was called at 4:12 p.m. and the Council reconvened at 4:22 p.m. in the Council Conference Room. ADMINISTERING FUNDS FOR Director of Planning Warren presented ACQUISITION OF OpEN SPACE a map of the Candlewood Subdivision, LANDS stating that the concept of the sub- division map was approved at the Council meeting of May 2, 1972, but adoption of the resolution was withheld in order to give Council an opportunity to discuss some of the questions of open space and the acquisition thereof. Councilman Hyde pointed out the two kinds of open space: (1) open space related to planned unit development and (2) open space purchased through park- land acquisition fund. Candlewood subdivision Discussion ensued as to the lot sizes of Mr. Shattuck's development, density, undevelopable land that will be given the City, cost of the undevelopable land to the City. Mr. J. R. Shattuck Mr. Shattuck Commented that th~ land in question 6150 Mission Gorge Road is not considered to be undevelopable San Diego completely. He feels that a portion of this could be developed, but that Planning s.aid this could be open space. He said he is giving the land to the City at his costs and less than appraisal. Mr. Warren commented that the grading would be a cost that would be passed onto the City. Council further discussed the cost of the land to the City. Councilman Hyde commented on the increase in value of Mr. Shattuck's subdivision:because of the locale of the park. Mr. Shattuck stated that, in his opinion, owning a lot adjacent to a park would not be advantageous (possibility of demonstra- tions and other activities might exist), but that he does realize that a lot adjacent to a park would have open space that others may not. Councilman Scott suggested that the details on the policy being discussed should be worked out by the Planning staff. Use of general funds Council discussed the possibility of for acquisition having to use general fund money to acquire the land in question. After further discussion on the cost of acquiring the land, it was determined that perhaps the staff could look into this further. Park Assessment District Mayor H~milton commented that something should come back on the Park Assessment District Ordinance immediately. Mr. Shattuck Mr. Shattuck stated, in reference to the "right to purchase" period, that he would be amenable to an extension if this would benefit the City. Motion to refer to staff It was moved by Councilman Hobel, seconded by Councilman Hyde and unanimously carried that this item be referred to staff for further negotiations. Kathryn Moore Mrs. Moore asked the Council how the 1134 Tobias children in Mr. Shattuck's subdivision are going to be able to get to school. Director of Planning Warren pointed out routes which could be used. IMPACT OF COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING Councilman Hobel opened the discussion ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAM CORE STAFF by referring to the materiil the Council ON CHULA VISTA 1972-73 FISCAL had received previously on this matter. BUDGET Council discussion ensued on the do]lar values as projected by the County Chief Administrative Officer for the Fiscal Year 1972-73, the Program Core Staff Budget, and the difference thereof. Participation by City Councilman Hobel stated that Chula Vista's annual participation amounts to approximately $68,000. It was suggested by Councilman Hobel that the City support the Program Core Staff §o it can be determined just what the Comprehensive Planning Organization is costing. Continue to support Program ~e Council concurred that support Core Staff Concept be given to the Program Core Staff concept. ADJOURNMENT Mayor H~ilton adjourned the meeting at 5:45 p.m. to the meeting scheduled for 7:00 p.m., blay 16, 1972 in the Council Chmr, ber. Deputy City Clerk - 5 ~