HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1993/09/07 RDA MINUTES OF A SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY/
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA
Tuesday, September 7, 1993 Council Chambers
7:49 p.m. Public Services Building
CALL TO ORDER
1. ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Agency/Council Members Horton, Fox, Moore, Rindone, and
Chairman/Mayor Nader
ALSO PRESENT: John D. Goss, Executive Director/City Manager; Assistant City Manager Sid
Morris; Bruce M. Boogaard, Agency General Counsel/City Attorney; and
Berlin D. Bosworth, Secretary to the Redevelopment Agency
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 3, 1993
MSUC (Fox/Moore) to approve minutes of August 3, 1993 as presented.
CONSENT CALENDAR
(Items pulled: 3]
BALANCE OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR OFFERED BY CHAIRMAN/MAYOR NADER. reading of the text
was waived, passed and approved unanimously.
3. WRrITEN COMMUNICATIONS: a. Request for consideration for development next to KOA
Kampground site - Gregory Cox -- RECOMMENDATION: Refer this item to staff to conduct an investigation
and analysis of the proposal and return to the Agency with a report and recommendation.
Greg Cox, 3130 Bonita Road, Suite 200, Chula Vista, CA 91910 noted the project was proposed to be built
on the approximate 14-acre Lower 5weetwater Valley site which was owned by the City of Chula Vista. He
proposed a public/private partnership of the City of Chula Vista/Pacific Malibu Development
Corporation/Waruer Properties to build a commercial recreation center which would include a Family Fun
Center as well as a Chula Vista Family Recreation Center.
Mr. Ken Beck, Pacific Malibu Development Corp., 116 Tigertail Road, Brentwood, CA, presented the
proposed major recreation center development in detail. The Chula Vista Family Recreation Center
component included three regulation lighted/fenced softba~l fields, scoreboards, comm on concession fadlity,
drinking fountains, restrooms, public areas, and bleachered seating as well as a regulation lighted/fenced
equipped soccer field. The Family Fan Center component included two lighted miniature golf courses
around water, a giant water slide area, a water bumper boats fadlity, a go-cart raceway fadlity, a batting
cage fadlity, a kiddie land area, a covered/enclosed arcade/food and video/computer learning center facility,
as well as restroom and changing fadlities. There would be shared lighted parking for 280 vehicles. Under
the proposed agreement eight acres of the fourteen acres would be leased to PMBC/Waruer on an annual
basis of $1, the remaining 6 acres would be conveyed to PMBC/Warner on a Fee Simple basis at inception
for an contractually agreed contract to complete the recreational amenities of the Family Recreation Center;
the City would need to help acquire an additional 8 acres of the McEliott property contiguous to the City's
acres; the Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Department would contribute $750,000 and PMBC/Warner
Minutes
September 7, 1993
Page 2
would contribute up to an additional $450,000. The City was asked to fund and provide an access road and
waive the traffic and signal fees as well as any other development or other fees associated with the project.
The City was asked to allow PMBC/Warner to operate the recreational center under contract with the City
for a period of fifteen years and award to PMBC, in perpetuity, the concession stands. At the end of the
fifteen year period the City would agree to operate the Center. He asked that the proposed project be
reviewed and evaluated by staff. The complete proposal, as presented, would be on file in the Office of the
Secretary to the Redevelopment Agency.
Mr. Cox noted the proposed site for the project under discussion was under consideration by the City for
a Veterans Home. He suggested the City look at an alternative site, the 30 acre site owned by the
Sweetwater Union High School District immediately contiguous to Chula Vista Community Hospital, for the
Veterans Home.
Agency/Council Member Fox thought the concept was bold and innovative. He asked the number of days
or hours the City would be allowed the use of the facilities.
Mr. Cox rephed the City would have complete control and use of the lighted ballfield facilities three days
per week with three days per week on a pay-for-play type basis and the seventh day would be used for
maintenance. The Family Ftm Center would basically be a commercial operation which would be held in
fee title hy the partnership; however, in the computer center there would be flee public programs designed
for training purposes. Other components of the facility would be made available to organized groups in the
City for free usage to do various type promotional activities, e.g., miniature golf, etc. There could be a
program where students who do well in school would be rewarded with flee play.
Bill Ayers, Board of Supervisors County Veterans Advisory Council, 44 East Mankato Street, Chula Vista, CA,
representing the leading veterans organizations in the City and the County of San Diego, pointed out the
State's Veterans Home Commission was building a home in Brawley, the next home was scheduled to be
built in Lancaster, and the one after that would be in Chula Vista. The Commission's report would be issued
shortly. He felt changing the location now, after commitment had been made, might jeopardize location
of the home in Chula Vista.
Chairman/Mayor Nader noted the proposed project was an exciting concept but Council had made a
commitment to the veterans community. He stated that should a better property be made available and
presenting the alternative site to the Veterans Commission not damage Chula Vista's chance for a veterans
home it should be explored. He pointed to several additional issues that would need to be analyzed by staff:
[1] neighborhood concerns, and [2] legal issues relative to reimbursing the Low- and Moderate-lncome
Housing Fund for cost of acquisition of the City-owned parcel.
MS (Nader/Fox) to approve staff recommendation.
AMENDMENT TO MOTION: (Moore) Authorize staff to contact the State Veterans Commission and their
reporting authority and ask for a firm commiunent from them to build the Veteran's Home in (lula VLsta
and begin consmiction w~thln thee years.
AMENDMENT TO MOTION: (Horton) Inform the Commission and State Administration that (~mla V'Lsta
has an alternative site and staff would be putting together a presentation on the alternative site.
Director/City Manager Goss pointed out staff would also look at other issues such as land use, proposed
project business deal, and pohcy of money for access road.
VOTE ON MOTION AS AMENDED: Airproved unanimous]y.
Minutes
September 7, 1993
Page 3
4. RESOLUTION 1347 ADOPTING NEGATIVE DE(/ARATIONIS-93-41,APPROVINGPIANS, AND
ENTERING INTO AN OWNER PARTICIPATION AGREEN[ENT X&qTH DR. LUIS SAN(~IEZ FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF A MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING AT 227 CHURCH AVENUE--Dr. S~nchez proposed to
construct a single-story medical office building located within the Town Centre I Redevelopmerit Project
Area. The Design Review Committee reviewed the project and recommended approval with conditions; the
Town Centre Project Area Committee received the proposal as an information item. The Environmental
Review Coordinator reviewed the proposal and determined the project will have no significant environmental
effect. Staff recommends approval of the resolution. (Community Development Director)
Agency/Council Member Rindone asked if the plan, as submitted relative to parking, would create a problem
for single-family residences in the neighborhood.
Miguel Tapia, Community Development Specialist, noted there were three parking lots across the street--
within 200 to 300 feet of the proposed project--which contained approximately 150 parking spaces. A
survey conducted within the last two years showed the parking lots were being used to only 50 percent of
their capacity.
Agency/Council Member Rindone requested staff to include a statement such as the explanation just given
in future staff reports of a similar nature.
* * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR * *
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None submitted.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
ACT[ON ITEMS
5.A. RESOLtrrlON 1348 RE-CERTHTYING ENVIRONMENTAL IlViPACT REPORT 91-01 FOR THE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHULA VISTA AUTO CENTER AND APPROVING PLANS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT
OF AN AUTO DEAl .ERSHIP AT 540 AND S60 AUTO PARK DRIVE (FUI J .I~R FORD/HONDA)--The Chula Vista
Auto Center Master Plan calls for plans for the new dealerships to be approved by the Redevelopment
Agency subsequent to Design Review Committee review and recommendation. The plans for the proposed
new South Bay Chevrolet and Fuller Ford/Honda dealerships have been reviewed and conditionally
recommended for approval by the DRC and are now being submitted to the Agency for final approval. Staff
recommends approval of the resolutions. (Community Development Director)
B. RESOLUTION 1349 RE-CER'I'II'fiNG ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT 91-01 FOR THE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHULA VISTA AUTO CENTER AND APPROVING PLANS POR THE DEVELOPMENT
OF AN AUTO DEALERSHIP AT 580 AUTO PARK DRIVE (SOUTH BAY CHEVROLET)
Fred Kassman, Redevelopment Coordinator, pointed out the Agency was being requested to approve the
plans for the Fuller Ford/Honda and South Bay Chevrolet auto dealerships in the new Auto Center. The
Minutes
September 7, 1993
Page 4
Master Plan called for formal approval by the Agency of the Plans.
Chairman/Mayor Nader asked what the Resource Conservation Commission's recommendation on the
Environmental Impact Report had been.
Mr. Kassman stated they had recommended approval of the EIR about a year prior. He noted there was an
issue regarding trees which could be resolved at staff level as well as an issue concerning the height of a
masonry wall at the south end of the site. The Design Review Committee recommended no more than a
six-foot high wall be installed, the auto developers wanted to install an eight-foot high wall.
Chairman/Mayor Nader inquired about the tree issue being resolved at the staff level.
Mr. Kassman replied that in discussions between staff and the auto developers the solution of clustering trees
would not provide a visibility problem to the auto dealerships and would seem to resolve the issue of
planting trees on Auto Park Drive.
Agency/Council Member Rindone noted the report stated no on-street parking would be permitted and asked
that be addressed in the presentation.
Jim Salter, CM&D, Inc., (Constn~ction Management and Development, Inc.), 5473 Kearny Villa Road
Suite 300B, San Diego, CA 92123, presented a brief report on the architectural features of the building and
the site plan. He pointed out the concern about the trees was only along Auto Center Drive in the interior
of the project; they were not asking for a reduction in the number of trees, but rather that the trees be
clustered so they would not block the view of the vehicles on the pads. He stated the desired eight-foot
fence was to be at the south end of the property--the back of the property, facing the river bed, and was
desired for security purposes. In response to Agency/Council Member Rindone's question, all parking--both
for employees and customers--was on-site for several reasons, those being esthetics (cleanliness and
neatness) and view corridors to the pads and buildings. Designated parking areas had been incorporated
into the plans, next to each showroom, to more than accommodate parking requirements.
Agency/Council Member Fox asked if staff objected to raising the wall to eight feet.
Steve Griffin, Senior Planner, responded staff would support raising the wall to eight feet.
Chairman/Mayor Nader wanted to know why the applicant asked for the wall to be eight feet at such a late
date.
Mr. Salter replied the applicant had a pre-approved policy plan which stated the fence could be up to eight
feet.
Agency/Council Member Moore stated one of the first buildings built in the area was Hi-Span and less than
one year after the building was erected they had serious security problems. Had the applicant not asked
for an eight-foot wall he would have recommended they build it that high; they might possibly need a higher
Chairman/Mayor Nader stated there was a consensus that the resolution would be nmended to reflect the
wall could be built up to eight feet.
RESOLUTION 1348 AND RESOLUTION 1349 OFFERED AS AMENDED BY CI~klRMAN/MAYOR NADER,
reading of the text was waived, passed and approved unanimously,
Minutes
September 7, 1993
Page S
6.A REPORT STATUS OF MIDBAYFRONT NEGOTIATIONS--On August 3, 1993 staff presented
the status of the Midbayfront negotiations to the Agency and discussed the two major issues for which
concurrence with the developer had not been reached. The Agency directed staff to continue negotiations
with redefined parameters. Staff continued these negotiations Mr. William Barkerr, landowner and
developer, and his representatives have reached agreement on the remaining issues which are now being
presented to the Agency for consideration. Staff recommends the Agency accept the report and approve the
terms and conditions of financial participation by the City/Agency for inclusion within the Development
Agreement. (Community Development Director)
B. RESOLUTION 1350 AUTHORIZING THE PREPARATION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE
BAYFRONT RED EVELOPMENT PLAN AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR -- A Redevelopment Plan
Amendment is required to incorporate recently approved Local Coast Plan, increase debt limitation, and
extend the termination date of the Bayfront Project. An appropriation of funds is requested to pay for
consulting services to complete this activity. (4/Sths Vote Required)
Mr. Salomone presented a brief report.
Agency/Council Member Horton stated she had a problem with asking the developer to donate the land for
the Cultural Arts Center and to also provide major funding for the Cultural Arts Center; however, that was
Council's direction. She was concerned with having fund raising efforts for the Nature Interpretire Center
and/or the Cultural Arts Center to offset or rebate Mr. Barkett's obligation to fund them.
Mr. Salomone pointed out that in the original proposal the City would receive $1 million up-front money
from the developer to use; however, the Cultural Arts Commission chose to hire a fundraiser to begin fund
raising efforts. Five years after Phase 1 of the project was completed, the developer would give the balance
of$10million to the City ifit had not been raised. PerCouncil's/Agency's direction, the proposal provided
for $2.5 million in cash "seed money" within the first six to eight years: $1,000,000 immediately, $S00,000
on issuance of first Grading Permit, $500,000 on issuance of the first Building Permit, $500,000 four years
later and, five years after Phase 1 of the project was completed, the developer would give the City the
balance up to $7.5 million.
Agency/Council Member Horton stated fund raising efforts would probably not succeed if a donor thought
his contribution would be used to offset the developer's obligation. She noted that staff indicated the first
$S00,000 annual payment for funding the Nature lnterpretive Center would occur early in the development
process and desired to know if staff had a more certain timeframe for that.
Mr. Salomone replied that it would be subject to further negotiation and would be part of the Development
Agreement.
Agency/Council Member Horton asked what would be rettu~ed to the California Coastal Commission.
Mr. Salomone stated the Development Agreement would need to be submitted to the Coastal Commission
to get their verification that it complied with thel;provision in the Local Coastal Plan Resubmittal Number
8 that a permanent funding source was developed for the Nature Interpretire Center.
Agency/Council Member Horton asked if staff had projected costs for the multi-purpose Sports Facility/Ice
Skating Rink.
Mr. Salomone responded the Sports Fadlity/lce Skating Rink would cost in the neighborhood of $9 million
and the underground parking would add considerably to the cost. Agency/Council had directed staff to look
at shared parking, parking in the SDG&E right-of-way, as well as other items that could reduce the cost of
the fadlity.
Minutes
September 7, 1993
Page 6
Agency/Council Member Horton asked if it was correct that if the facility was not built and revenue
reimbursement to the developer was $25 million, then the City was not giving up anything.
Mr. Salomone replied that was correct. To get the project built, to get Phase 1 built with all the
infrastructure as well as all hotels and commercial and the potential for the Cultural Arts Facility,
Agency/Council direction was that an incentive in the $25 million range would seem appropriate. That
figure would be net of the revenues the project produced, of paying for City services, and would be derived
from a split of the revenues of the project. The direction of the Agency/Council was that an incentive should
be provided so the developer would agree to build the facility in Phase 1. The incentive would go up to $30
million from $25 million if that facility were built in Phase 1. An additional incentive clause provides that
should the project perform in the manner Price Waterhouse stated it could possibly perform, and Mr. Barkett
did a stellar job in providing all amenities and architectural features, and promoted the project, then he
could get up to an additional $15 million in that same 25 year period. The City would benefit from that
as the City~s share of the revenues would be considerably increased by that kind of performance.
Agency/Council Member Horton stated she had a concern with approving the incentive package and then
having the developer sell the property. She thought a non-assignment clause might be appropriate.
Mr. Salomone agreed and stated it had been discussed with the developer. Insertion of a Duty to Perform
condition was part of Agency/Council previous direction.
Mr. Bill Barkett, General Partner, Chula Vista Capital, 864 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037, stated he
agreed in the most part with staffs proposal. He asked that in all future documents the project owner be
referred to as Chula Vista Capital. He believed staffs document provided a good workable framework for
both the City and the developer, granted a lot of detail still would need to be worked out.
Agency/Council Member Fox stated he also had a concern about reimbursement of "seed money" funds to
the developer due to the fund raising effort on behalf of the Cultural Arts Center. He wanted to know if
there had been discussion that the City should reach a certain threshold, significantly more than $7.5
million, before the City entertained offsetting the developer's "seed money" contributions through the fund
raising effort.
Mr. Barker thought the original intention was for the developer to put up money to hire a fund raiser which
would "seed" the whole Cultural Arts Center and enable the City to go out and raise money from other
individuals; not that the money the developer would be putting in would be used to build the Cultural Arts
Center. The original charge to staff throughout the negotiations was for the developer to put up the "seed
money" to hire the people so they could go out as professional fund raisers to raise the money. If this
individual did not raise any money, the developer was still obligated to put up the $7.5 million.
Agency/Council Member Fox asked if there was discussion in the negotiations where a larger amount of
money, more than the $7.5 million, would need to be raised prior to an offset being given back to the
developer for his "seed money" contribution. For example, say $20 million in the Fund, raised from the
developer as well as through various other sources, before any offsetting would begin to take effect.
Mr. Salomone replied that had not been a topic of discussion.
Agency/Council Member Fox asked Mr. Barkett what his thought might be on that proposal.
Mr. Barkett stated he would oppose it. As he understood the current proposal, he would put up $1.5 million
"seed money" by the time he pulled his first Building Permit. That money would be used by someone the
City would hire, under their sole control, to raise money for the Cultural Arts Fund. lfby chance they raised
Minutes
September 7, 1993
Page 7
$300,000 within the next two years, the next "seed money" contribution of $500,000 the developer was to
put in would only be $200,000.
Agency/Council Member Fox said he understood the developer would be getting offsets at certain threshold
levels. He asked what Mr. Barkett's response would be to a proposal to wait a longer period of time and
until more money was raised for the Fund before any offsetting would kick in.
Mr. Barkett replied he would be open to hearing a proposal. He had no objection to another proposal, but
on the other hand if no money was raised within a certain period of time, he would want the remainder of
his obligation to cease. As he saw it, he was funding the City's fund raising effort, he would not have any
control over it, and he did not know how feasible it was to build the Cultural Arts Center. The feasibility
study on the Cultural Arts Center he had seen stated it was not a feasible project, yet any feasibility study
that had been done on his project, everybody takes as gospel. He asked for fairness.
Agency/Council Member Rindone stated the proposal before the Agency/Council did not "cut it", nor did
it come anywhere dose and he was not happy with it. The proposal needed to be referred back to staff and
a workable proposal needed to be developed so the City had some guarantees the multipurpose Sports
Facility/Ice Skating Rink would be developed in Phase 1. The negotiators need to rethink and look at what
was distributed back to the developer. The Agency/Council started at $0 and was now up to a potential $40
million. It would seem the Agency/Council had gone a long way from where they initially stood. He stated
his displeasure with the proposal as it had come forward. He asked that the negotiators rethink how they
could come up with a project that would be more financially feasible for the developer--e.g., shared parking
and use of the SDG&E right-of-way so that it would reduce those type costs; and, not provide any
rebatement of initial "seed money" funds. The entire sale of the project should be looked at, so it became
feasible. The two amenities that had been in the project from day one was the Cultural Arts Center, with
the developer donating the land and making a significant contribution to the Fund; and a guarantee the
multipurpose Sports Fadlity/Ice Skating Rink would be built in Phase 1; and, no abatement for fund raising
efforts to that committed by the developer to build the project.
Chairman/Mayor Nader asked if there had been any input from any professionai cultural arts fund raisers,
the City's Cultural Arts Coordinator, or the Cultural Arts Commission regarding the issue.
Mr. Salomone noted the only consultant, AMS, that designed the fadlity, was involved in costing it out. The
Cultural Arts Commission had been involved and the additional up front "seed money" proposal was based
upon Dency Souval's testimony before the Agency/Council at its last meeting.
Chairman/Mayor Nader commented he was the one member of Agency/Council who wanted to forego the
multipurpose Sports Fadlily/Ice Skating Rink in order to promote the Cultural Arts Center. The certified
LCP called for a park as an alternative land use for that area. If the multipurpose Sports Fadlity/Ice Skating
Rink were not built would that free funds from that element of the project and enable the Agency/Council
to apply that capital toward the Cultural Arts Center. That, he noted, might be something for staff to take
a look at some point.
Susan Fuller, 523 Welton Street, Chula Vista, 91911, as a member of the Bayfront Conservancy Trust Board
and a member of the Planning Commission, stated she was familiar with the project, and individually, she
wasinsupportoftheprojectasitwasaterrificplan. She expressed concern about some ofthe negotiations
as they would seem to tend to postpone inevitable development of the property which the Bayfront
Conservancy Trust was eager to see a project such as this developed. One of the great opportunities of the
project would be to demonstrate that development and conservation could make a unique conuibution. The
benefit assessment district had always been a part of the Local Coastal Plan, a plan to support the operation
of the Nature Center. She was in total agreement with the one item of the negotiations which was to
provide $500,000 yearly to support the operation of the Center. That was the figure given by the Board to
Minutes
September 7, 1993
Page 8
the City as the estimated cost to operate the Center. She did not believe there should be any relationship
between the admission revenues, even those attributable to the development, nor any additional earned
income (grants or fund raising efforts) by the Center and the annual obligation required by the benefit
assessment district. The proposed configuration of the benefit assessment district did not comply with the
Local Coastal Plan and did not adequately nor fairly support the Bayfront Conservancy Trust. It jeopardized
the long-term stability of the Nature Center for the potential of a Cultural Arts Center. The Cultural Arts
Center was never the number one item in the proposal for the project. It was added later to the plan and
she felt the efforts to fund a Cultural Arts Center had clouded the negotiations for the project.
Chairman/Mayor Nader noted his concern about the perception being promoted that there was some
inherent conflict between the benefit assessment district, which was part of the Local Coastal Plan and which
was always understood to be part of the project for the support of the Nature Center and the Cultural Arts
Center. Agenee/Council had never directed that the Cultural Arts Center be funded at the expense of the
Nature Center. He pointed out he would never have voted for the project without the Cultural Arts Center
being a part of the plan.
Ms, Fuller stated she felt the pressure placed on the developer to participate in the funding of the proposed
Cultural Arts Center with "seed money" had indeed reflected on the way he was willing to negotiate a
commitment to the Nature Center.
Chairman/Mayor Nader requested clarification on the mechanism (formula) being negotiated for rebating,
to the developer, based upon increased attendance at the Nature Center.
Mr, Barkett responded the formula was structured based upon the Nature Centet;s history of attendance and
the percent annual increase in attendance. If, when the Bayfront project was built, those attendees over and
above those which had historically been going to the Nature Center which could be attributed to the
Bayfront project, part of that increased revenue would be used to pay the City's principal and interest on
City money used to build and fund operation of the Nature Center for the past four or five years. The
remainder would be applied against the $500,000 annual obligation. The cost of living increase in the
formula would be shared by both the City and developer.
Agenee/Council Member Horton asked if the formula was offset by projected increases in tourism and other
major projects within the South Bay.
Mr. Barkett replied the formula had not yet been set, the negotiators were working on the parameters for
creating the formula. He stated he agreed with Planning Commissioner Fuller regarding a conflict between
the Nature Center and the Cultural Arts Center. The project had only so much money to give to the public
benefits that it was creating and if there were no Cultural Arts Center there would be more money and he
would not be fighting as hard to get reimbursements. Of the money that would be reimbursed by the City,
the project must f'ucst earn it. The developer had to 'ffront" all the money to build the infrastructure and all
the facilities.
Chairman/Mayor Nader pointed out the Local Coastal Plan set up the benefit assessment district and called
for the Cultural Arts Center as part of the project.
Mr. Barkett stated the Local Coastal Plan said the benefit assessment district would be over the entire local
coastal area, which was not just the MidBayffont.
Chairman/Mayor Nader asked if that were correct.
Mr. Salomone responded that the Local Coastal Plan stated that a permanent funding source be established
for the Natare Center. It could be interpreted any way.
Minutes
September 7, 1993
Page 9
Mr. Barkerr pointed out the original Local Coastal Plan covered an area larger than the MidBayfront. The
Local Coastal Plan also stated that a feasibility study for a Cultural Arts Center should be done, not that the
developer had to do it.
Agency/Council Member Honon noted that when the project went before the Planning Commission it did
not have the Cultural Arts Center in the plan. Agency/Council knew there was concern about the financial
feasibility of the project and yet Agency/Council continually placed further f'mancial burden on the
development of the project to the point where Agency/Council may eventually destroy the project. The
project was important to the community and the City had a developer willing to donate the property for a
Cultural Arts Center, which was a significant and major contribution. A Cultural Arts Center would add
great benefits to the community, but it was not appropriate to place that much burden--having to donate
$10 million--on the developer to get the facility built in addition to donating the land. Agency/Council may
want to consider getting perhaps $1-$1.5 million "seed money" up front so the City could hire the fund
raising who could then, in turn, raise the funds necessary to build the Cultural Arts Center, but the burden
did not need to be placed totally on the developer. The Agency/Council needed to seriously look at that
Chairman/Mayor Nader said that the $10 million was not the whole burden for the Cultural Arts Center but
did concede it was a significant mount. He noted that Agency/Council, over his objection, voted to put
an $18 million net burden on the project for the 5000-seat multipurpose Sports Facility that nobody had
explained how it was going to be filled on a regular basis with events. He agreed the Agency/Council
needed to look at what its priorities were, among the various elements, that were a financial drain on the
project. The Cultural Arts Center was one of the more exciting components of the project and he would like
to at least see, somebody along the lines of a professional fund raiser come and inform the Agency/Council
if there was a ghost of a chance under the scheme before Agency/Council voted on it.
Agency/Council Member Fox concurred, conceptually, with Agency/Council Member Horton's comments.
Agency/Council knew the issues and should hold a worksession/meeting as soon as possible. The
Agency/Council needed to fred out, at least in speaking with professional fund raisers, as to the possibility
of raising the kind of funds and the timeframe needed to raise the funds to construct a Cultural Arts Center.
He agreed the land was a significant contribution but that Agency/Council was also making some significant
and innovative gestures back to the developer--one being the revenue reimbursement scheme--so there was
a balance. The Agency/Council should meet with the developer and in the meantime receive input from
staff on their discussions with a professional fund raiser so that Agency/Council learned something about
the possibility of raising the kind of funds needed to be raised. He expressed willingness to revisit the
multipurpose Sports Facility/Ice Skating Rink issue.
Agency/Council Member Rindone stated that it had always been a part of the plan for the Nature Center
to be funded by an assessment district and that a permanent funding base for the Cultural Arts Center
needed to be developed.
Agency/Council Member Moore noted while the param eters for negotiating the Development Agreement was
not the f'mal ideal, staff had come a long way in the negotiation process. The Agency/City was not making
any money off the MidBayfront, the land did not belong to the City, it belonged to the property owner. In
looking at the staff report, there were few items that the developer did not agree to, as listed in the staff
versus developer position columns. The column that was missing was the individual/joint Agency/Council
members positions. In order for there to be a Cultural Arts Center on the Bayfront there must be
development. If the Agency/Council thought it had problems now finding the funds to construct the
Cultural Arts Center, wait until it needed to be funded on a yearly basis/He urged members to take action
about development on the MidBayfront.
Mr. Barkett said staff, his consultants, and he negotiated the parameters for the Development Agreement
in good faith. Neither staff nor he liked everything that had been negotiated but it was something both
Minutes
September 7, 1993
Page 10
parties could live with. Frankly, he was flabbergasted that the Agency/Council did not think it adequate.
If the Agency/Council wanted to tweak aspects of the issues that had been negotiated, he would welcome
that but he would not change any of the dollar figures as had been worked out between staff and him.
Chairman/Mayor Nader said Agency/Council was told the plan would require no public subsidy. When
public subsidy was first recently mentioned in the plan, he took the posifon that if additional amenities were
being participated in to a great extent by the developer so as to make them feasible--e.g., the Cultural Arts
Center--that might justify a public subsidy. If the revenue stream with which they were talking about
subsidizing the multipurpose Sports Facility/ice Skating Rink toward the other elements of the project that
were burdening development, perhaps there would be an enhanced ability to fund those other elements
which would thereby take some ofthe burden off the development. He thought that perhaps that was the
direction Agency/Council should take to get back to the original idea of an unsubsidized development.
Agency/Council Member Fox asked Mr. Barkerr if the requirement to build the multipurpose Sports
Facility/Ice Skating Rink was removed, how would that affect the f'mancial commitment to fund the Cultural
Arts Center.
Mr. Barker responded it would not change it at all. He had made that clear at the last meeting. He asked
ff Agency/Council desired him to restate his position.
Agency/Council Member Fox said that was how he understood Mr. Barkett's position to be.
Mr. Barker stated when the project was originally proposed there was substantially more density than there
was today. By the Agency/Council lowering the density it did not automatically make the project more
feasible as the infrastructure costs were still the same--parking requirement was substantially the same, more
park acreage had been added than in the original plan, the lagoon was the same. The density, which
created the money for the developer, was less. He thought it counterproductive to rehash all that. A
proposal was on the table and he stated his willingness to work it out with the Agency/Council.
Agency/Council Member Horton pointed out the two items- -Cultural Arts Center and Nature Center funding-
-needed to be restructured. She suggested that could be done by adjusting the amount Agency/Council was
requiring the developer to donate toward the Cultural Arts Center. Additionally, she asked that a Duty to
Perform or a Non-Assignment clause be added in the Development Agreement.
Mr. Salomone noted a Duty to Perform was to be in the Development Agreement and that Agency/Council
direction had been that the Development Agreement would be personal to Chula Vista Capital. Staff
understood that to mean it was not transferable.
Mr. Barkert said he would not accept that. He would accept it to the San Diego Unified Port District only;
as to any other third party he would not accept it.
Agency/Council Member Horton replied then perhaps there would be no agreement.
Chairman/Mayor Nader asked Mr. Barkett to clarify his statement.
Mr. Barkett said he would not accept a non-assignability clause in a Development Agreement. If the
Agency/Council wanted to say that some developer had to come in and meet all Chula Vista Capital's
obligations that would be perfectl3/free, if they want to set an objective standard, but not that it applied to
Chula Vista Capital and Chula Vista Capital only.
Agency/Council Member Horton asked Mr. Barkerr why he would accept that from the Port and not from
the City.
Minutes
September 7, 1993
Page 11
Mr. Barkett rephed he believed the City believed the Port would possibly buy the land and they did not want
to increase the value for him. He would accept that premise even though he did not believe it. If the Port
did buy the property, they would not build "that" project.
Agency/Council Member Horton said her concern was that if Chnla Vista Capital got these incentives from
the City of Chula Vista and turned around and sold it for "x" amount more than what he paid for the
property, that would put a greater burden on the new developer and funding for his project would be harder
to get.
Mr. Barkett stated he found that hard to believe as they would still have to do all the entitlements the City
required.
Agency/Council Member Horton asked Mr. Barkett why he would be afraid of having that type chuse
included in the Development Agreement.
Mr. Barkeli said he was not afraid of it, he was just saying he would agree to it but that it could not be on
a subjective standard. Should he bring a developer in that wanted to build a part of the project, and they
agreed to everything Chula Vista Capital had agreed to, the City should have no problem as long as the City
checked them out and they met every requirement required of Chula Vista Capital. Why would the City not
allow them to build the project.
Agency/Council Member Horton said the City would not disallow them. She was not talking about elements
of the project but should Chula Vista Capital sell the entire project to a different developer.
Mr. Barker replied that if another developer agreed to everything the City and Chula Vista Capital agreed
to, the City should not care as long as that developer met every requirement that Chula Vista Capital would
be required to meet.
Agency/Council Member Horton said the City's concern would be to get the project built.
Mr. Barkett said if he sold the project for $35 million that would be because he had that much money in
it, after buying the land for $17 million; and, he would be happy to show the Agency/Council the audited
statements from Price Waterhouse.
Mr. Salomone stated that a consideration be added that the only change to assignability would only be with
Agency approval so that any assignability would have to be approved by the Agency.
Agency/Council Member Horton stated she thought that would be acceptable.
Mr. Barkeli said that would be acceptable to him as well.
MOTION: (Fox/I-Iorton) to schedule a worksession/meeting as soon as possible to focus solely on the
MidBayfront project and spend whatever time it took to reach conclusion or impasse.
Agency/Council Member Horton felt, after listening to the developer, a worksession was not necessary if the
concerns expressed were addressed by staff and the developer and returned to the Agency/Council with
revisions to the proposal.
Mr. Salomone clarified his understanding of what the Agency/Council had directed staff to do: [1] have
the developer agree to fund the Nature Center, with an escalator clause, which was 6%--shared 3%, 3%; [2]
seek more up front "seed money" for a professional fundraiser, have staff consult with a professional
Minutes
September 7, 1993
Page 12
fundraiser, and bring that input back; and, Agency/Council had a problem with hindering fundraising efforts
by crediting the developer's total $7.5 million contribution based upon fundraising efforts early on or at all.
Agency/Council Member Fox said if those issues could be solved by staff without a worksession he was
amenable to that approach.
Mr. Barkett asked if the monies raised by the Nature Center, e.g., grants included any additional monies
from the attendance--would these be lumped together.
Agency/Council Member Horton said they were not lumped together. She agreed the project would
generate an additional number of attendees/tourism. Her concern was specifically the new funding sources
for the Nature Center, which could be grant funds or whatever type of ftmdraising for the Nature Center
might occur.
Mr. Barkett said he did not include grants or other of type fundraising by the Nature Center either. His and
staffs proposal only dealt with increased attendance to the Nature Center generated by the project.
Assistant City Manager Morris noted the Director of the Nature Center had a concern that if he were able
to achieve new funding sources through grants to the Nature Center that those would become part of the
negotiation process. He had been informed that they were not part of the process and would not be at risk.
In terms of grants, as they related to the Cultural Arts Center, they had not been discussed as part of the
funding package.
Agency/Council Member Horton pointed out that the wording in the staff report relative to the Nature
Center did state "if new funding sources".
Mr. Morris clarified, stating the intent of the wording was that should a replacement funding source for the
Nature Center be achieved, then Mr. Barkett's obligation would be transferred to the Cultural Arts Center
and that it would have a cap of $45 million. The intent was that the developer would not be totally relieved
of his obligation but would be a new funding source for the Cultural Arts Center effort.
SLIBb'IffLITE MOTION: (Horton/Fox) to consider the information presented as well as the concerns
expressed by Agency/Council memben in further negotiations between staff and the developer that dealt
with two elements of the negotiations: Nature Center and Cultural Arts Center funding end return in one
week with a new proposal.
Chairman/Mayor Nader requested that staff work with the Cultural Arts Commission and consult with a
bonafide professional fundraiser to determine the impact of different schemes on the incentive for
fundraising. He expressed concern on the lack of consultation with, or participation by, the Port as he was
convinced that some of the things the City wanted to see down on the MidBayfront, particularly the Cultural
Arts Center, were most likely to happen with extensive Port participation with the City and developer. He
asked that consultation with the Port District be added as part of the substitute motion. Maker and Second
of Motion agreed as long as it did not disturb the timetable requested for the report to be returned.
Agency/Council Member Moore asked for a series of short motions that were dear, conrise, and
understandable.
Agency/Council Member Rindone asked that the multipurpose Sports Facility/Ice Skating Rink be included
in the negotiations to reach agreement on stronger assurances that the facility will be built in Phase 1. The
reason he was requesting it was that the developer could choose not to build the fadlity and he wanted
assurance in the Development Agreement that the facility would, in fact, be built in Phase 1.
Minutes
September 7, 1993
Page 13
Mr. Barkett pointed out he would not be in town next week and requested it be continued for two weeks.
Maker and Second of Motion agreed.
Mr. Barker stated his agreement with the Port was null and void and he did not understand why they had
to get involved in negotiations between the staff and developer. They could have their own separate
negotiations with the City.
Chairman/Mayor Nader said if the Port District came forward with a more specific interest in taking over
the Cultural Arts Center porT. ion of the MidBayfront p]an that would alter the balance of consideration he
was looking at in the proposed agreement.
Mr. Barkett accepted the Chairman's point of view but thought the City should be talking and negotiating
separately with the Port District.
Chairman/Mayor Nader said it was not his intent to have the Port District involved in the negotiations
between the developer and staff but, he wanted staff to talk concurrently with the Port District.
Agency/Council Member Moore pointed out nothing had been discussed relative to the revenue
reimbursement formula.
Chairman/Mayor Nader stated, from his perspective, the appropriateness and mounts of the revenue
reimbursement formula were tied to some extent to what the City would be getting. One way of
approaching the Cultural Arts Center and Nature Center would be that the City might be better off relieving
the developer of those obligations, thereby necessitating less City subsidy. The justification for subsidy was
tied to availability of amenities and different types of trade-offs needed to be looked at. He believed staff,
who had direction to report back to Agency/Council on the issue of fundralsing for the Cultural Arts Center,
would want to include in that report options for changing the subsidy formula.
Agency/Council Member Moore pointed out the current subsidy formula was based on the caliber of the
development, the multipurpose Sports Facility/Ice Skating Rink, the lagoon, underground parking, the
Nature Center, and the Cultural Arts Center.
Mr. Barkett cautioned the Agency/Council not to look at the Cultural Arts Center and Nature Center as the
only public amenities.
Agency/Council Member Fox stated he hoped staff understood they did not have to be held to the $25
million and $45 million figures he mentioned at the August 3, 1993 meeting.
Mr. Salomone mentioned that staff originally had higher figures than those; however, staff put a cap at $45
million.
Agency/Council Member Rindone asked staff to look at the parking on the SDG&E right-of-way and shared
parking to see if there could be movement in those areas without destruction of the project, yet reduce
major costs.
Mr. Salomone noted those were part of the agreement and that Planning staff could not look at those issues
until the next phase, which would be preparation of Site Plans and layout of the project.
Agency/Council Member Rindone asked if those issues could be evaluated in any degree in the report or if
that was too far down the pike to be able to see the impacts of effect that the shared parking or the SDG&E
fight-of-way may have on the financial or fiscal ability of the project.
Minutes
September 7, 1993
Page 14
Mr. Salomone stated his understanding was that staff could not do that at the present stage, but he would
talk to the Planning Director and respond.
VOTE ON SUBb'fIflJTE MOTION AS AMENDED, S-0-0.
OTHER BUSINESS
7. DIRECTOR/CITY MANAGER'S REPORT - None.
8. (]tAIRMAN/MAYOR'S RFj~RT
Ratification of appointment to the Town Centre Project Area Committee - Marsha Killian
MOTION (Nader/Fox) ratify appointment of Marsha Killjan to the Town Cent~e Project Area Committee,
approved S-O-O.
9. MEMBERS/COUNCILMEMBERS' COMMENTS - None.
The meeting adjourned at: 10:20 p.m. to a Spedal Meeting of the Redevelopmerit Agency
on Tuesday, September 14, 1993 at 6:00 p.m., immediately following the City Council
meeting, Council Chambers, Public Services BuiIding.
Respectfully submitted,
Berlin Bosworth
Secretary to the Redevelopment Agency