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Home My WebLink Aboutrda min 2005/06/28 CC MINUTES OF ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA June 28, 2005 6:00 p.m. Adjourned Regular Meetings of the City Council and Redevelopment Agency were called to order at 6:11 p.m. in the Council Chambers, located in the Public Services Building, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Council/Agency Members Castaneda, Davis, McCann, Rindone and Mayor/Chair Padilla ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City ManagerlExecutive Director Rowlands, City Attorney/ Agency Counsel Moore, City Clerk Bigelow CONSENT CALENDAR I . APPROVAL OF MINUTES - May 24, 2005; and June 7, 2005 Staff recommendation: Council! Agency approve the minutes. 2. REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY RESOLUTION NO. 1912, RESOLUTION OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA AMENDING RESOLUTION NO.1 WHICH ADOPTED CERTAIN RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR SAID REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY Staff recommendation: Agency adopt the resolution as presented in the alternative documents packet at the May 24, 2005 meeting. ACTION: Council/Agency Member Rindone moved to approve staffs recommendations and offered the Consent Calendar, headings read, texts waived. Councilmember Castaneda seconded the motion, and it carried 5-0. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were none. ACTION ITEMS 3. PRESENTATION BY GAYLORD ENTERTAINMENT REGARDING ITS INTEREST IN DEVELOPMENT OF A MAJOR HOTEL AND CONFERENCE/ ENTERTAINMENT CENTER ON THE CHULA VISTA BA YFRONT Gaylord Entertainment (Gaylord) is a publicly traded company that has developed and operates award-winning large-scale convention center resort hotels in several locations across the United States. The company has expressed interest in developing a West Coast flagship hotel/conference center on the Chula Vista bayrront. (Director of Community Development) Community Development Director Madigan introduced Port Planning Director Ralph Hicks, Port Commission Chair Bill Hall, and Community Development Project Manager Lisa Lukes, all of whom are or will be involved with the subject project if it moves forward. She then provided an overview of discussions with Gaylord Entertainment and the company's presentations to the Port District and Citizen's Advisory Committee. Council/Agency Members viewed and listened to a presentation by Gaylord Entertainment Senior Vice President of Development Bennett Westbrook and Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Jay Sevigny on information about the company, other Gaylord projects, and the company's interest in and concept for developing a unique property on the Chula Vista waterfront. Councilmember Castaneda expressed concern with the apparent "sealed compound" concept, which he believed to be similar to that found in Atlantic City. Mr. Sevigny responded that the intent was not in any way to create a sealed compound. He urged the Council to contact leaders of the Grapevine community, who have found that their Gaylord project overflows into the downtown area and generates much more revenue for that city than ever expected. Councilmember Rindone expressed the need for a facility that provides an attraction/destination and access via entertainment venues for the local community as well as conventioneers, suggesting perhaps an alternative of water features for public access. Mike Meeks spoke in support of the Gaylord concept and commended the Council/Agency Members on their work to improve the City. He asked that they ensure that Chula Vista remains one city, rather than become two, with one east ofI-80S and the other west ofI-80S. Richard Campbell, representing Pacifica Companies, spoke in support of the Gaylord concept and stated that his company did not consider them to be competition as they support a special '"niche. ,~ Tina Medina, representing the Chula Vista Convention & Visitor's Bureau, spoke in support of the Gaylord concept, noting that the project would bring and keep business in the City. Page 2 Council/RDA Minutes 06/28/05 ACTION ITEMS (Continued) Jack Blakely, representing the Citizen's Advisory Committee, spoke in support of the Gaylord concept and noted that another Gaylord facility provides its guests with a free shuttle from the hotel to downtown. Paul Nieto, speaking as a Chula Vista resident, a member of the Greater San Diego Economic Development Committee Board of Directors, and the South County representative to the Airport Authority, spoke in support of the Gaylord concept and the boost it would provide for tourism. Lisa Cohen, representing the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce, stated the Chamber Board of Directors fully supports the Gaylord concept. Chris Lewis, representing the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce and the Citizen's Advisory Committee, spoke in support of the Gaylord concept and expressed excitement about the small business opportunities that will provide a win-win situation for the entire community. Scott Vinson, Vice-President of the Chula Vista Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support of the Gaylord concept. Brigette Browning, representing Unite Here, Local 30, the San Diego Hotel/Restaurant Union, supported the Gaylord concept providing that it brings quality jobs and meets local hiring requirements. Pamela Sherman asked about Transient Occupancy Tax and also expressed disappointment with the Eastlake development and lack of environmental concerns. She suggested that the westside growth should be better controlled, developments should reflect our Spanish! American heritage, money made should stay within the local community by hiring local people and businesses, and the public should be given access to the bayrront. Councilmember McCann stated that Gaylord is only one component of the overall plan, the goal of which is to generate money for schools, parks, roads, fire, police and quality jobs. Facilities are needed for proms, as well as for business meetings and banquets. He also commented that local citizens need to feel included in the process. Deputy Mayor Davis expressed the need for a "WOW" on the bayfront. Mayor Padilla encouraged the Port to continue discussions with Gaylord, and Gaylord to continue engaging the community. He reported that on July 8, he would travel to Dallas, Texas to meet with Gaylord officials and view their project. The proposed project was presented to the Council for informational purposes only, and no formal Council action was taken. Page 3 CouncillRDA Minutes 06/28/05 ACTION ITEMS (Continued) 4. CONSIDERATION OF A SELECTION PROCESS FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS TO THE CHULA VISTA REDEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (CVRC) On May 24, 2005, the Council/Agency jointly approved and adopted legal and operating documents for the Chula Vista Redevelopment Corporation (CVRC). In addition, the Council directed staff to develop and make recommendations on a selection process for the appointment of the independent directors of the CVRC Board. (Director of Community Development) STAFF RECOMMENDATION: The Council/Agency: I) choose a selection process from one of the following two alternatives and adopt the corresponding resolution; and 2) direct staff to proceed with preparation of application materials for a 45-day noticing period. Alternative I-The screening committee consists of two council members who will forward qualified candidates in each category to the full Council for interviews, selection, and appointment. - or- Alternative 2 - Each council member screens all applications and forwards their recommended applicants to the full Council for interviews, selection, and appointment. Community Development Assistant Director Smith provided a brief overview. Council/Agency Member Rindone suggested that the noticing be reduced to 30 days and spoke in support of Alternative 2. Council/Agency Member Davis also supported a 30-day noticing period and Alternative 2. ACTION: Council/Agency Member Rindone moved to approve a 30-day noticing period, which is to be printed on the application materials, and offered the joint resolution approving Alternative 2, heading read text waived: COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2005-211 AND REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY RESOLUTION NO. 1913 OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING AND ADOPTING AN INITIAL SELECTION PROCESS FOR INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS ON THE CHULA VISTA REDEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Councilmember McCann seconded the motion, and it carried 5-0. Council/Agency Member Rindone asked that the positions be widely publicized in region newspapers and also published on the City's website. Community Development Director Madigan stated staff would work with staff from the Office of Communications to get the word out and also issue notices to various professional organizations. Page 4 CounciJ/RDA Minutes 06/28/05 OTHER BUSINESS 5. CITY MANAGERlEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORTS There were none. 6. MAYOR/CHAIR'S REPORTS There were none. 7. COUNCIL/AGENCY COMMENTS There were none. CLOSED SESSION 8. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT - Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 Title: Executive Director Mayor Padilla noted that Item 8 was removed from the agenda. It was not discussed. 9. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL REGARDING INITIATION OF LITIGATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(C) One case No reportable action was taken on this item. ADJOURNMENT At 9:30 p.m., Mayor/Chair Padilla adjourned the Adjourned Regular Meeting of the Redevelopment Agency to an Adjourned Regular Meeting on July 12, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. ~6-U~~~ Susan Bigelow, MMC, City Clerk Page 5 Council/RDA Minutes 06/28/05