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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1959/04/27 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF CHULA VISTA HARBOR CO~IISSION and CITY COUNCIL April 27, 1959 Present: Harbor Commission Members Algert, Kenneth Brown, Hartin, Hobel, Koester, Landells, Trook City Councilmen Mc-Mains, DeGraaf, Menzel, McAllister, Smith Also present: City Administrator Fnlwiler, Analyst Ross, City Attorney Kugler, Chamber of Commerce Manager Gosch, Star-News respresentative Chilson, San Diego Union representative Hall. The meeting was called to order at 7:35 P.M. by Mayor McMains, who introduced the two new members of the Harbor Commission, Mr. Kenneth Brown and Mr. Gordon llobel. Discussion of ~1~000~000 Bond Issue Mayor McMains stated that there seemed to have been a feeling that the two bodies were not in accord and that a meeting of the minds would be in order through general discussion. Harbor Co~ission members agreed that it is not the time to have the million dollar bond issue -- that the cost of development of the harbor would make the cost of acreage so high that it would not be feasible -- and reminded the Council that the Commission had withdrawn an earlier motion of support of the bond issue. Sections of the report of Lawrence, Fogg, Florer and Smith as to development of the tidelands were quoted. The Harbor Co~nission were unfamiliar with the contents of the Fogg Report as they had only had the copies of the report for a few days when it was first received by the City and had not had time to study it thoroughly. Mayor McMains promised that each member would receive a copy for his own use. Review of Ordinance Concerning Harbor Co~m~tssion and Discussion of Better Operation of Co~ission. Discussion was held on the position of the Harbor Co~nission in matters of recommenda- tions as to development of tidelands, leases of waterfront land and other such considerations. It was stated that the Harbor Commission does not actually want any more authority than it has under the existing ordinance -- that they only desire to be included in the study of questions as they come up and be allowed to make their recommendations before the subject goes to tha Council for action. Also that the Commission feels that it would be very costly to go ahead and develop the harbor without having any industries who have wanted the land-- that they would agree to a bond issue but would like to see some prospect of revenue. In reply members of the Council remarked that if we passed the bond issue and started developing it would take as much as five years before the l~nd would be settled and ready for building -- we should do this at once as no one would wait five years for a place to develop business -- when the land is ready there is no reason to doubt that there would be industries ready to move in -- to pdrsuade industries to coma here we must have something to offer. In the matter of the recent Rohr lease, the Harbor Commission was not included in the negotiations. This was explain d that no one wished to exclude the Commission, but it was an urgent matter which was brought to the City for immediate action and the Cou~aission was not scheduled to meet for at least another ten days. Harbor Com~ission members said they felt they had been left out of what was going on for some time -- that they would spend several evenings working on a project, only to find that another group had taken it away from them, with no consideration given to their thoughts or recon~nendations -- that things are accomplished and the Comis- sion has no part, merely reading about it in the papers -- that Ex-Chairman Johnson should have been included in the meeting with Rohr on the lease, or even sent to ~a~ramento -- that there were times when they had no agenda for the monthly meeting with nothing to work on. Council members then expressed opinions -- that the Harbor Commission might actually show more initiative -- that there were questions to work on, such as whether we should have a small boat harbor or a ramp -- would it be better if the Commission met when there were things actually happening, rather than just waiting until the regular monthly date. Chairman McMains stated that it is now the plan to have Mro Fred Ross attend all Harbor Commission meetings to coordinate affairs between the Harbor Commission and the City Council, which should make for better understanding between the two bodies. DISCUSSION OF NEW ~ROCEDURE City Attorney Kugler was asked if a procedure could be set forth to follow, such as the way the Planning Cou~mission works. It was his opinion that this would be difficult due to the varied work of the Harbor Commission which is more advisory than definite. It was agreed that the Harbor Commission was willing to call a meeting at any time to discuss business with the Administrator or the Council, and if there is something urgent, Mr. Ross shall advise the Chairman, who will then call a meeting. Also, that the Coum~ission should regularly meet in the Council Chambers instead of m small office, and that name plates should designate the individual members. Meeting of Mayors Mayor McMains stated that he has invited the mayors of the cities on the bay to meet and discuss the future of San Diego Bay development and how the cities may cooperate in the planning. Everyone present was in accord that this is a splendid move. New Time for Monthly meeting... Since the regular monthly meeting of the Harbor Commission falls on the same night as a regular meeting of the Council, it was suggested that by a change of evenings the coordinating of recoma~endations and advisory correspondence to the Council might be improved. The Harbor Commission will meet Wednesday, May 6th at 7:30 ~oM. at which time this subject will be considered further. There being no further business, the meeting was a~journed at 9:00 P.M.