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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1976/11/10 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR HEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA Held Wednesday November 10, 1976 An adjourned regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Chula Vista, California, was held on the above date beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the Ceuncil Conference Room, City Hall, 276 Fourth Avenue, with the following Councilmen present: Mayor Hamilton, Councilmen Hyde, Cox, Egdahl Councilmen absent: Councilman Hobel Staff present: City Manager Cole, Assistant City Manager Asmus, Director of Public Works Roberts, Director of Community Development Desrochers, Assistant City Attorney Beam, Administrative Aide Hohr, Assistant to the City Manager Wittenberg 2. REPORT OF GRUEN GRUEN Hrs. Gruen reported on their research study submitted on + ASSOCIATES the feasibility of a cultural center, with 2,000 seats, in downtown Chula Vista. They surveyed 12 California civic auditorium/theater mana- gers, with seating capacities ranging from 340 to 3,876. Using the estimates given them by City Manager Cole and Community Development Director Desrochers, she stated the City can be expected to take on an annual payment on an indebtedness of approximately $430,000. Operating costs Operating costs of theaters in the neighborhood of 2,000 seats would be approximately $200,000 per year. Because it would be new, there would not be a significant cost for capital improvement, thus annual capital and operating costs would be approximately $630,000. Revenue In terms of revenues, an optimistic assumption of commer- cial usage would be 75% bookings or 273 days per year and the average charge per day would be $1,000. The annual revenue would be approximately $500,000 per year; with costs estimated at $630,000, this means a $330,000 deficit. She stated that this concept, a new theater with 2,000 seats, is an expensive concept. Discussion City Manager Cole in response to Mayor Hamilton's question stated the joint powers agreement with the County of San Diego says that our participation is in the cultural center/ theater concept and would still apply to another site, i.e. Bayfront. Different sites Council discussed with the Grucns the possibility of discussed different sites: The Bayfront, with a convention/cultural type center; and in the area of Highway 805 and "H" Avenue there is a possibility of an almphitheater, an open air approach which would offer a different type of facility. Councilman Cox arrived at 4:00 p.m. Discussion of The Council discussed the Bayfront location as a possible Bayfront Site site, listing 1) different convention/cultural type usages, 2) smaller size, 5) less costly operations. It was felt that a smaller facility, under the project 2,000 seats, would be more feasible. Adjourned Regular Meeting -2- November 10, 1976 Discussion on the need Ruth Chapman, president of the Board of Sweetwater High for a cultural center School District, spoke on the need in the South Bay for in this area a cultural center. She then introduced Jack Tyggett, theater consultant, Jean Cook, information specialist and Dick Alvord, who read a statement (copy is on file in the City Clerk's office) from the Sweetwater llnion High School District supporting the concept of a cultural center in Chula Vista and saying they would be willing to discuss some type of joint powers agreement with the City and County. (Jean Cook mentioned Senate Bill 174 for develop- ment of community programs and, perhaps, could be a source of funds). Cost to acquire In answer to a question by Councilman Cox, Director of the land Community Development Desrochers stated the cost to acquire the additional land that would be needed at the Third Avenue and "H" Street site was estimated at $1.25 million. Motion to accept It was moved by Mayor Hamilton, seconded by Councilman Hyde report and unanimously carried by those present that the Gruen Gruen report be accepted and staff pursue further with the Sweetwater High School District the idea of joint powers relationship, look into the Senate Bill 174, and look realistically at seating capacity and all uses and report back to Council. The Sweetwater High School District to be given a copy of the Gruen Gruen Report. Discussion of Third Councilman Hyde asked for Council views on reconsidering Avenue and "H" Street their action with the County to provide expansion to in- site clude a cultural center along with their facilities at Third Avenue and "H" Street. The Council agreed that this should be rescinded. Motion to It was moved by Councilman t~de, seconded by Councilman contact County Cox and unanimously carried by those present that staff be directed to contact the County and indicate that the City of Chula Vista no longer desires the plans for ulti- mate acquisition of the property to the west of the South Bay Court facility at Third Avenue and "H" Street for a cultural center. Discussion Councilman Egdahl asked that the staff pursue other types of facilities within the boundaries of that site for City use; it could have conference/convention types of uses. City Manager Cole said the cut-off date by the County for any changes in their plan was early January. Staff was also asked to consider other sites.  Griffith Company Director of Community Development Desrochers reported the status of the Griffith Company negotiation agreement and said that one of the tenants, ~{ervyn's Department Store, had decided not to participate in the Town Centre Project. Tom Shriver Mr. Shriver stated the decision by Mervyn's was based on Griffith Company their overall plan for expansion and did not mean that this project was not adequate for their needs. Mr. Desrochers stated that the other tenants are not affected by this decision and it just means that his staff is going to have to do further study. Adjourned Regular Meeting -3- November 10, 1976 1. NUTRITION PROGRAM UNDER City bianager Cole distributed a memorandum regarding City OLDER AMERICANS ACT application for funds under Title VII of the Older Ameri- cans Act for a nutrition program in or around downtown Chula Vista. The program consists of a nutrition program and contingent services, i.e., shopping assistance, health and welfare counseling, recreation and transportation requirements. The City submitted a project cost of $44,500 and was notified by the County that their proposal was viable and the County would negotiate on an award. The staff proposed three options: 1) withdraw proposal for a nutrition program; 2) provide an "independent" nutrition program via a new facility; 3) offer the program via a contractual arrangement with Sweetwater Union High School District for preparation and serving of meals, with the District providing bus service to Del Rey High School and mandated social services provided primarily by the City (Madrona Center and Norman Park Center). Discussion Discussion centered on option #3. Assistant to the City Manager Wittenberg elaborated on the contingent services required under the act, and said these must be provided. He explained the City would not duplicate service but would coordinate and centralize the services that are available. In answer to a question by Mayor Hamilton, Administrative Aide Jim Mohr said the transportation requirement was in the grant and would be provided to persons within the project area (approximately 500 persons) from central locations to the nutritional center. Margaret Helton stated that in developing this program with the school district, it would be arranged to have the service operate the whole year. Phil Creaser Mr. Creaser, as a member of the Salvation Army, stated the 400 Third Avenue Salvation Army has submitted an application for this pro- Chula Vista ject. They have the facilities, and he feels this is the type of program that the Salvation Army does best, and they can adequately handle all of the mandated services required. Discussion of the Jim Grimmel, Commanding Officer of the Salvation Army and Salvation Army Program Frank Smith, Chairman Advisory Board to the Salvation Army, spoke on behalf of the Salvation Army's application: 1) They have adjusted their original bid; 2) The County informed them target area would be redefined; 3) They have two programs of this type in operation now -- E1Cajon and Mid-Cities; 4) They operate every day of the year; 5) Quality of food is better when prepared by professionals; 6) They would be glad to accept assistance from the City. Council discussion Council felt 1) The total tax tollars for either program would probably be the same, 2) Once started in this type of care program, the pressure would be to continue with it, 3) The City does not wish to compete with an agency that has a record of adequately providing this type of service. Adjourned Regular Meeting -4- November 10, 1976 Mr. Wittenberg informed the Council that if the City withdraws their applications, the County would be forced to re-advertise and re-bid for the project. There would be no assurance that the Salvation Army would be the recipients. The Council said their wishes were to see that this type of service is provided but they do not want to be in com- petition with another agency or get preferential treat- ment from the County. Motion to withdraw It was moved by Councilman Egdahl and seconded by Councilman application ttyde that the City withdraw its application. Motion failed The motion failed by the following vote, to-wit: Ayes: Councilmen Egdahl, Hyde NOES: Councilmen Cox, Hamilton Absent: Councilman Hobel Discussion Councilman Hyde stated he would never have voted for the City's submission of an application if he had been fully aware that the Salvation Army had already submitted an application. He stated it is unwise to be in this com- petitive situation. Motion to assist It was moved by Councilman Cox and seconded by Councilman Salvation Army Egdahl that the City work with the Salvation Army to assist them to procure the grant to fund a nutritional program. Discussion Councilman Egdahl asked if the motion implied that the City withdraw its application for the grant and Councilman Cox said that was the intent. Mayor Hamilton asked if the City could contract with the Salvation Army to provide the program. Mr. Wittenberg stated if this is the Council's wishes, there were other options to be investigated in assisting the Salvation Army, i.e., using Madrona Center for infor- mation referral and Norman Park Center for recreation services, Councilman Egdahl left at 5:30 p.m. Councilman Hyde stated, if the staff recommended, that the City could provide a letter of support to assist the Salvation Army to obtain this grant. Councilman Hyde asked to have the motion restated. Motion restated It was moved by Councilman Cox and seconded by Councilman Hyde that the City's application be withdrawn and direct staff to work with the Salvation Army and take whatever steps are necessary to gain the approval of the grant to fund a nutritional program. Adjourned Regular ~eeting -5- November i0, 1976 Motion carried The motion carried by the following vote, to-wit: AYES: Councilmen Hyde, Cox Noes: Mayor Hamilton Absent: Councilmen Egdahl, Hobel CALTRANS TRANSPORTATION City Manager Cole reported that CalTrans Transportation PLAN HEARING Plan of the State of California is coming up for a hearing on November 19, 1976, and the plan they have submitted would make drastic changes in the present plan and would involve the State in local operations. Motion for It was moved by Mayor Hamilton, seconded by Councilman representative Hyde and unanimously carried by those present that ~. Robens, representing the City of Chula Vista, attend the public hearing on November 19, 1976~ with instructions to take a strong position against the policies they have proposed and also take a strong position to discourage any policy decisions made by that State body when they have not had any input from all of the cities in the areas that are affected. ADJOURNblENT Mayor Hamilton adjourned the meeting at 5:37 p.m. to the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 16, 1976 at 7:00 p.m. JENNIE M. FULASZ, C~ City Clerk Council Se~et arv