Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1976/10/20 MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA Held Wednesday October 20, 1976 A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Chula Vista, California, was called at 4:00 p.m. on the above date in the Council Conference Room, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, with the following Councilmen present: Councilmen Hyde, Cox, Egdahl Councilmen absent: Mayor Hamilton, Councilman Hobel (The Mayor was absent due to a pos- sible conflict of interest) Staff present: City Manager Cole, Assistant City Manager Asmus, City Attorney Lindberg In the absence of Mayor Hamilton, Mayor Pro Tempore Hyde presided over the meeting. CHULA VISTA CULTURAL CENTER Mayor Pro Tempore }~de announced that the meeting was called to consider the proposal of having a Chula Vista Cultural Center constructed as a part of the South County Regional Center on property at Third Avenue and "}1" Street. City Manager's comments City Manager Cole introduced the people present: Hal Sadler, Architect; Richard Mangum, Assistant to Mr. Sadler; Jon Miller, Member of the Board of Edu- cation - Chula Vista Elementary School District; Chet Devore, President, Southwestern College; Phil Joliff representing the Sweetwater Union High School District; Dick Slaker, Music instructor, Chula Vista School District; William Sullins, and Ed Zimmerman, County of San Diego. Mr. Cole said he met with the architects and it was decided that the Center could not be included on the site of the Regional Center and that additional land may have to be required. Hal Sadler Mr. Sadler presented a few alternatives showing the Tucker, Bennett & Sadler Cultural Center in various locations immediately adjacent to the site on the west (acquisition of additional land). Mr. Sadler recommended the acqui- sition of the additional land, noting egress and in- gress and the joint use of the parking areas proposed for the Regional Center. Mr. Sadler noted the time frame stating that his firm must present all drawings and cost estimates to the Board of Supervisors by January 18, 1977. This means that by November 1, 1976 they must have all the input to begin "putting the lines on paper" and then by December 15, 1976, cost estimates will start. He added that this City Council must move very quickly on this project if they desire to have it as part of the South County Regional Center. Council discussion Councilman Egdahl said he wodld like to discuss a joint powers agreement first. He felt that partici- pation with the school districts was both crucial and important and that cost factors should be dis- cussed along with maintenance costs and operation of the building. Mayor Pro Tempore Hyde indicated the first concern should be "Do we need this?" He asked for input from the representatives of the school district as to whether there would be a demand for the use of the Center. Special Council Meeting -2- October 20, 1976 Chet Devote Mr. Devore explained that the programs at the College President utilize the auditorium which seats 500. The programs Southwestern College that generally run to a much higher capacity are held in the gymnasium. The Cultural Center proposal will be discussed by their Board on November 4. 5% community service tax In answer to the City Manager's inquiry, ~lr. DeVore discussed the 5% tax levied by the school districts. He stated that the programs at the college are not money-makers. In just about all cases, the college breaks even due to the high cost of getting a "drawing-card." Dick Slaker Mr. Slaker commented that the Center can also house Music Instructor conventions and large concerts. He said he uses the Chula Vista Schools high school gyms for his musical programs and there have been times when it was difficult to reserve these rooms. Jon Miller Mr. Miller said his Board was not opposed to the Member idea but was concerned with the on-going costs. Board of Education They plan to put a major bond issue on the November Chula Vista Elementary School ballot for remodeling of the district's schools and to take on another tax for this cultural center would be difficult. ~r. Miller added that, at this time, they see no need for the Center for any of their activities - the available rooms in their various schools (gyms, auditoriums) are adequate for their needs. Phil Joliff Mr. Joliff remarked that the Sweetwater Union High Sweetwater Union High School Board has not acted on this matter officially. School District Mrs. Ruth Chapman of the Board has expressed her support, however. Mr. Joliff noted that his District's activities were similar to that of the Elementary School District and that their gyms were adequate to hold their large activities. Council discussion Discussion ensued as to the costs of the structure, the maintenance of the operation, parking facilities, Bayfront redevelopment and the opportunity of having the Cultural Center at that location, Sedway/Cooke Plan and the Gruen's report. Director of Community Development Desrochers commented that the Bayfront reports by the consultants showed that a hotel on the site would have to have meeting rooms for convention-type groups, similar to that of the Town and Country complex. Mayor Pro Tempore ltyde questioned whether there is an accumulative need established for the facility and whether there would be a willingness on the part of the schools or public to assume financial support. Councilman Cox noted that the San Diego theater seats 3,100 and this is booked solid - they even have to turn people away. He felt that the City should pro- vide this Center for its people, lie questioned whether this was the best location for the facility - the cost - joint powers or some other source of financing - look into revenue sharing - bond issue - would the college district take over the operation or should the City go to a private lessor. Motion of support It wa5 moved by Councilman Egdahl, seconded by Council- man Cox and unanimously carried by those present that the Council once again express its interest and desire to proceed with this project subject to further infor- mation such as capital costs, joint powers, and parking Special Council Meeting -3- October 20, 1976 space agreements; and that the Council goes on record as stating that it wants to go along with this; and further, that the staff be directed to lay out a time table for the Council and that this be sent to the three school districts: Chula Vista Elementary, Sweetwater Union High School and Southwestern College. Community Development Mr. Desrochers referred to ~lr. Sadler's reasons for Director's comment not being able to site the Cultural Center on the Regional Center location. Mr. Desrochers declared that acquiring additional property bears heavily on the cost of the project. Council directive Councilman Egdahl asked the staff to draw up a list of facts: the number of alternatives for operating the facility; initial cost of acquiring the additional land; and other factors, so that a joint meeting can be held with the three school boards to go over the ways this could be approached, how the facility could be used, and then come to a joint resolution on it. Hr. Joliff indicated that if the school districts were to participate financially, they would want to have some say in the planning of the facility, and, therefore, January 15 would be an unrealistic date for them to make any determination. Motion for joint meeting It was moved by Councilman Egdahl, seconded by Council- man Cox and unanimously carried by those present that the staff be directed to set up a joint meeting with the Boards of the three school districts and that this be done at the time, or immediately subsequent, to the Gruen report regarding the Civic Theater. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Pro Tempore Hyde adjourned the special meeting at 5:30 p.m.