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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 2004/09/09 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA September 9, 2004 4:00 P.M. An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Chula Vista was called to order at 4:18 p.m. in the Council Chambers, located in the Public Services Building, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmembers: Davis, McCann, Rindone, Salas, and Mayor Padilla ABSENT: Councilmembers: None ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Rowlands, City Attorney Moore, and City Clerk Bigelow PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, MOMENT OF SILENCE 1. PRESENTATION BY THE UNIVERSITY WORKING GROUP OF THE PROPOSED UNIVERSITY PARK AND RESEARCH CENTER AT CHULA VISTA The Council established a policy to attract an institution of higher education to a site set aside for this purpose within the Otay Ranch area of the City's General Plan. As part of the City's Economic Development Strategy, the City has identified "educational excellence" as one of its top twelve goals, including the development of a new, full- service campus, which contributes to the community's prestige and intellectual capital and supports other economic development goals. Community Development Director Madigan thanked Councilmembers Salas and Rindone for their leadership on the committee and also thanked and introduced the other members of the working group and the project consultants. Director Madigan then made a presentation on the process to date, findings and assets, and the importance of U.S. /Mexico relations. Rod Rose, the project consultant, presented steps to create a 2151 century higher education model. Director Madigan then discussed the University Park and Research Center concept, including the approximate distribution of acreage for the center. Barbara Maloney presented the General Plan UpdatelUniversity Land Use and Site Analysis. Mayor Padilla acknowledged the Southwestern College Board members present at the meeting. George Kost expressed the importance of locating the site next to the Olympic Training Center and asked the timeline to implement the proposed plan. Director Madigan replied that a very general Land Use Plan will be presented to the Council by the end of the year, followed by a more detailed Master Plan subsequent to Council's approval of the General Plan update. -,-"'-~,~--~_...__._"-, -_._-~.~~-~~~---~~._--- UNIVERSITY PARK AND RESEARCH CENTER (Continued) Nick Aguilar, representing the San Diego County Board of Education, thanked the working group and Council for bringing forward the opportunity for a university site. He was hopeful that Southwestern College would agree to become a partner in the plan, since he felt it would be critical for the benefit of the students. He also expressed the need to designate a university site as soon as possible to avoid having the land revert back to developers for housing. Patricia Aguilar, representing Crossroads II, thanked Mayor Padilla and Councilmembers Salas and Rindone for their leadership and stated that Crossroads II fully supports the proposal and stands ready to participate in moving forward with the plan. She suggested that Council focus on 550 acres for the core campus and think long-term in terms of acreage to accommodate growth in the community. With reference to the proposed regional technology park, she suggested that allowable uses be limited to research facilities and uses that are complimentary to a great university. Ian Gill commented that in order for the proposed plan to succeed, infrastructure and sufficient land must be available. He suggested that incentives be provided to the developers to assist in setting aside enough property to allow the project to reach its full potential. Rudy Ramirez asked if GTI was familiar with the City's energy posture regarding Community Choice Aggregation (CCA), and whether or not there would be room for collaboration. Director Madigan responded that GTI is excited about the City's proactive energy stance. Mayor Padilla affirmed that GTI is aware of the City's history of sustain ability-oriented efforts in many areas. Lupita Jiminez questioned the funding source for the proposed plan. Mr. Rose responded that there is no way to identify the funding source until the relevant partners and collaborators have been identified. Margie Ferries supported the concept of a global energy center and asked how aggressive the City would be in the national selection process. Mayor Padilla replied that discussions are occurring between academics and policy makers at a multitude of levels, and there is a high level of commitment and willingness by the City to network and lobby to make potential investors and institutions aware that the City is serious. Glen Davis, former project director of redevelopment projects for San Diego State and San Marcos State campuses, stated that the proposed university should be considered as urban-type infrastructure. He spoke in favor of faculty and staff housing, the idea of a walking university, and mass transit; and suggested setting aside areas in the City where corporate offices and manufacturing could tie into the proposed corporate research center. Joy Blake, Academic Center President for Southwestern College, asked about the number of new students who might be attracted to the area and whether students would be employed in the new industries. Director Madigan replied that the partners who come together on the project will be the decision-makers. Councilmember Rindone commented that it is the Council's intent to tie industry and the economic engine into the educational level. Page 2 - Council Minutes September 9, 2004 l.~ ---------- UNIVERSITY PARK AND RESEARCH CENTER (Continued) Councilmember McCann expressed the need to meet the needs of the underserved community in the region and to focus on the three major goals of access, distinction, and economic development. He stated the importance of ensuring that the citizens in the region obtain the type of education that gives them the opportunity to cornpete for top-paying jobs nationally. Deputy Mayor Salas expressed her gratitude to Council, staff, and members of the community for the opportunity to work on the university project. Councilmember Rindone asked staff to come back with a timeline for the next steps and to conduct community workshops throughout the City to discuss concepts, increase community input, and develop the next steps for the plan. No action was taken on this item. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were none. ADJOURNMENT At 6:22 p.m., Mayor Padilla adjourned the meeting to the Regular Meeting of September 14, 2004, at 6:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers. - c;;.lutLu~~~ ~ Susan Bigelow, MMC, City Clerk Page 3 - Council Minutes September 9, 2004 ..~_.- ____",.__"____.",.__~_~~,_,~_.m~~~~"" . .^,,,>-~.,---