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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/8/2000 Minutes - Regular MeetingMINUTES - SPECIAL JOINT MEETING DIAMOND BAR CITY COUNCIL AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WALNUT VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT MARCH 8, 2000 CALL TO ORDER: The Special Joint Meeting of The Diamond Bar City Council and the Board of Trustees of Walnut Valley Unified School District was called to order by Mayor O'Connor on March 8, 2000 at 6:40 p.m. in the South Coast Air Quality Management District Auditorium, 21685 E. Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Dr. Ron Hockwalt, Walnut Valley Unified School District. ROLL CALL: Council Members Chang, Herrera, Mayor Pro Tem Ansari, Mayor O'Connor. Council Member Huff was excused. School Board Members Elfelt, Redinger, Clerk Lee, Vice President Sykes, President Hall. Also present were: Terrence L. Belanger, City Manager; James DeStefano, Deputy City Manager; David Liu, Deputy Public Works Director; Bob Rose, Community Services Director and Stella Marquez, Administrative Secretary. 2. NEW BUSINESS: 1) DISCUSSION OF THE DIAMOND BAR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION AREA PLAN: CM/Belanger explained the redevelopment process embarked upon by the City. Using an overhead map, he pointed out the area that encompasses the City's Revitalization Area, which includes all of the commercial and industrial property (zoned and developed), the major arterials of D.B. Blvd., portions of Grand Ave., Golden Springs Dr., and portions of the freeway beginning at Highland Valley Rd. and continuing down to the City's southerly boundary. The Project Area encompasses about 1300 acres. In 1994, the State Legislature adopted, and the Governor signed AB 1290, which made significant changes to Redevelopment Law. For instance, it made the pass- through provisions for affected taxing agencies part of the statute, which means that the school district, by operational law, has a certain amount of redevelopment increment automatically passed through to it. There are three milestone periods: 1st through the 10th year; the 11 th through the 30th year, and the 30th through the 45th year. During each of those three time periods, there is a change in the percentage in the amount of pass-through so that by the time the 30th year is reached, the percentage of pass-through to the affected tax agencies MARCH 8, 2000 PAGE 2 JOINT COUNCIL/WVUSD SCHOOL BD. has increased by a formula amount. Secondly, project areas have a statutory sunset. Debt can be incurred during the first 20 years. The plan is in effect for 30 years, and there is a 45 -year period in which to retire debt. The City's Redevelopment Area Plan commenced in 97-98 and it is anticipated that it would run through about 2044. Finally, the law prohibits the use of sales tax agreements and prohibits direct assistance for auto malls and retail sales centers that are on parcels of greater than 5 acres. During the redevelopment process, a number of questions were raised by individuals who attend a series of related workshops. The questions and answers are detailed in the meeting packet. CM/Belanger stated that at the time the Revitalization Area Plan was adopted, the total assessed value of property in the City was $3,676,126,836. The total assessed evaluation in the Economic Revitalization Area at the time the plan was adopted (the base year number) was $387,018,867, which represents about 10.53% of the total valuation in the City. Stated in another way, about 90% of all of the property that is valued in D.B. does not exist inside the Project Area. Therefore, all of the property taxes that are collected on the 90% are distributed to the taxing agencies in their historical manner. Significantly, the only effect on taxing agencies would occur in the 10.53% of the assessed valuation as embodied in the Plan. It is expected that about $404,531,595 will be generated over the 45 -year period from the 10.53% area. The total tax increment throughout the community in the non -economic revitalization areas is expected to increase over the next 45 years by $3,422,635,814. Referring to the charts contained in the packet, he explained tax disbursement. CM/Belanger reported $40 million have been set aside for commercial/industrial rehabilitation projects for existing commercial and industrial properties; $70 million have been allocated for business expansion and retention; $3.5 million have been set aside for parking improvements; and $45,685,000 have been set aside for public improvements and facilities improvements (schools, parks, libraries, streets, street lights). The only public facilities that are expressly prohibited from being built or improved with redevelopment resources are city halls and county administrative buildings. Clerk Lee asked if the school district shares a portion of the $14 million. CM/Belanger responded that under the old law, he did not believe that there is a property tax agreement with Walnut Valley Unified School District. Under the Redevelopment Project Area that exists in MARCH 8, 2000 PAGE 3 JOINT COUNCIL/WVUSD SCHOOL BD. D.B., the school district would receive a percentage that is defined by law and would grow over time. Under Walnut's Redevelopment Plan at the time the agency was formed, it would have required the school district to have entered into a pass-through agreement with the Redevelopment Agency. $14 million goes to either the Walnut Redevelopment Agency ($4 million) or to the County ($10 million). 2) DIAMOND BAR PARKS MASTER PLAN - CM/Belanger pointed out that a copy of the D.B. Parks Master Plan had been provided to the Board members and the City Council Members. CSD/Rose explained the objectives of the Plan and pointed out how the recommendations might affect the use of school district properties. 3) COOPERATION BETWEEN THE WALNUT VALLEY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION AND THE DIAMOND BAR COMMUNITY FOUNDATION - CM/Belanger stated that the City recently formed the D.B. Community Foundation. Two years ago, the Walnut Educational Foundation was created. Recently, the Board of the D.B. Community Foundation was completed. It is a 11 -member board made up of one Council Member, one Parks & Recreation Commission Member, five individuals appointed by Council and four additional individuals appointed by the other seven individuals on the Board representing specific categories, i.e., youth organizations, senior organizations, Chamber of Commerce and service organizations. The Foundation was created to generate resources for recreation, leisure time, cultural activities, programs and projects. The Walnut Educational Foundation has its own set of goals that it sees the need to achieve. Although the Foundations are in competition, they share similar areas of concern. It is the hope of the D.B. Foundation that the two entities will at least engage in conversation as to how they can cooperate in the future byway of sharing grant writers, etc., in an effort to create resources through private as well as public organizations. There may be other cooperative activities in which both Foundations can engage and the purpose for placing this matter on tonight's agenda is to provide an opportunity for those possibilities. Dr. Hockwalt stated that the Walnut Educational Foundation consists of a range of parents, employees, community members and business people. C/Herrera, President of the Walnut Valley Educational Foundation, stated that the Foundation does not have designated categories. MARCH 8, 2000 PAGE 4 JOINT COUNCIL/WVUSD SCHOOL BD. When the Foundation was started, one Council Member from D.B. and one Council Member from Walnut, Robert Pacheco, were recruited to serve with two or three community members to formulate the Foundation. There are approximately 22 people currently serving on the Foundation: Two retired Walnut Valley Unified School District employees, one principal and one administrator from the School District as well as some parents and business people. The effort is to have a variety of individuals that have contacts within and without the community that enable the Foundation to conduct its fund-raising efforts. The main focus of the Walnut Valley Educational Foundation is to raise funds for grants to enhance programs or activities within the schools in the Walnut Valley School District whereas the D.B. Community Foundation would likely focus on fund-raising for facilities, lighting, parkland purchase, etc. The Walnut Valley Educational Foundation has existed for about two years and has raised approximately $50,000 per year through efforts such as golf tournaments, "Teddy Bear Tea," etc. Clerk Lee suggested that each group select a representative to establish a bridge between the two Foundations for the purpose of sharing ideas. M/O'Connor invited Board Members to attend the March 30 Community Foundation meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the SCAQMD Headquarters Building. 4) DISCUSSION CONCERNING CENSUS 2000 - CM/Belanger stated that the City has established a Complete Count Committee. A representative from the School District attended the first Committee meeting. Representatives of the Census Bureau, located in the City of Norwalk made a presentation. The City is presently engaged in several informational activities in an effort to encourage individuals to participate fully in the count, which will begin to take place on Census Day, April 1. Individuals who have questions about the census process can obtain answers by accessing the City's web site. All aspects of the census activities are confidential and no person should fear for their sanctity. MPT/Ansari asked Dr. Hockwalt if WVUSD was able to determine the number of children that were not counted in the 1990 census. She stated that D.B. was undercounted by about 430. The whole of the San Gabriel Valley was down by 5%. Dr. Hockwalt said he had no knowledge of a 1990 census undercount. MARCH 8, 2000 PAGE 5 JOINT COUNCIL/WVUSD SCHOOL BD. In response to M/O'Connor, Dr. Hockwait explained that, with respect to getting the word out about Census 2000, the school district was contacted early last Fall and asked to have two pilot schools which the district selected. However, the district has not heard back from the Census Bureau. Walnut High School and South Point Middle School are willing to do whatever is asked of them in the way of rallies and publicity to involve the students. M/O'Connor said that the Census Bureau told the City that the largest undercounted population involves the children. She encouraged the Board to take advantage of fliers that are available and disburse them to the children to take home. The fliers are available in several languages. CM/Belanger reported that D.B. would receive a total of $5,000 from both the state and federal governments as a result of the creation of the Complete Count Committee. The money will be used to create memorabilia handouts such as magnets, pens, pencils, etc. The Census Bureau has a variety of giveaways including ink pens, pencils, magnets and buttons. MPT/Ansari asked staff to check into obtaining memorabilia for the school district to pass along to the children. VP/Sykes requested copies of different language fliers to send home with the children. M/O'Connor stated that Pomona Unified School District has set up a Complete Count Committee. The City has posted fliers with local businesses. 5) MATTERS OF MUTUAL CONCERN - C/Herrera appreciated CM/Belanger's overview of redevelopment. The Agency has a pending lawsuit filed against it by a few residents and the City is awaiting word from the District Court of Appeals as to the outcome. It would be a significant loss to the City if it was not able to retain the Agency since many schools and businesses that are a part of the Redevelopment Area Plan will suffer the consequences of the loss of - about $300 million. Member Redinger said that the Board had been concerned for many years about possible turf damage using school sites. The turf needs to maintain its vitality. He asked if, in the process of implementing a five- or a 10 -year plan, that scheduled maintenance, renovation and replacement be a shared venture because that part of the overhead MARCH 8, 2000 PAGE 6 JOINT COUNCILNVIVUSD SCHOOL BD. is significant. CSD/Rose responded that the best example is the agreement in process with the Pomona Unified School District for Lorbeer Middle School. Because of additional potential wear and tear on that facility, there is a comment in the agreement that addresses sharing this responsibility. The Parks Master Plan includes turf renovation at that site, which would involve complete removal of the turf, regrading the surface, replanting turf and ongoing assistance with maintenance of the turf. C/Chang asked for comment on the grading of Larkstone Park in the area of South Point Middle School. The City does not have enough park land available to support its population. Dr. Hockwalt responded that the District has a plan to provide that land to the City. The District is also discussing with the City the possibility of re -zoning a portion of the property. The Board felt that the matter should be handled as a total package. CM/Belanger said that it is important to remember that Larkstone Park consists of slightly less than 3 acres of land that currently has tennis courts on it at the Middle School. There have been discussions over the years to exchange 3 acres of land somewhere else in that area for park purposes. Three acres of land does not make much of a park. An active park would need to be more than 3 acres. Discussions in relationship to Larkstone Park have been extensive and the City hopes that the plans that are being developed by the School District will ultimately result in a resolution of that particular 3 acres of park land, on which years ago, the County permitted the school to be built. Member Elfelt was pleased that the meeting had taken place and hoped that discussion regarding matters of mutual interest continue. MPT/Ansari asked if the traffic circulation problems at Quail Summit Elementary School have been resolved. Dr. Hockwalt said that a community meeting is scheduled for the evening of March 23, during which a plan will be presented to the City. The Board has talked with the City about supervision of the crosswalk. MPT/Ansari stated that with the shortage of funding from Sacramento, she believed the City and the School Districts will have to think of creative ways to work together to acquire funding for community MARCH 8, 2000 PAGE 7 JOINT COUNCIL/WVUSD SCHOOL BD. center facilities. Clerk Lee expressed concern that he received one agenda for tonight's meeting from the School District and another from the City. He asked that in the future, the agendas be coordinated. A few months ago, the District and the City discussed the matter of land surrounding South Point Middle School. The District would like for this matter to be resolved this year. He hoped that this would be a priority at future meetings. Vice President Sykes appreciated the open dialogue between the School District Board and the City. She looked forward to working together on joint ventures in order to serve the needs of the community and the schools. President Hall thanked the City Council and Mayor O'Connor for inviting the Board to engage in this dialogue. She wished the City success in defending the Redevelopment Agency lawsuit because redevelopment will be positive for the City as well as the school district and will provide a greater opportunity to work together on joint projects. She thanked CM/Belanger for his presentation on redevelopment. She was pleased that the School District is included in redevelopment plans for the future. She thanked CSD/Rose for his presentation on the Parks Master Plan and she was pleased that the schools are included. She looked forward to more joint meetings and to working closely with Council Members. C/Chang suggested that two additional teachers be assigned to help direct traffic in the cul-de-sac area of South Point Middle School so that parents can drop their children off at both ends of the cul-de-sac so more cars can be accommodated. Even though the City has prolonged the left turn traffic signal, cars are unable to proceed through the light because right tum traffic blocks the left tum lane and cars are backed up waiting to let the children off. If this method presents a safety problem, it should not be implemented. M/O'Connor suggested a "No Right Turn on Red" sign during the a.m. and p.m. peak school hours. She believed that it is time to revisit the School Traffic Study, look at the service that the community is receiving from the Sheriffs Department and meet with the school's principals to find out where enforcement can be better utilized. She thanked the Board Members for their participation. D.B. needs and appreciates the use of school facilities for recreation programs. MARCH 8, 2000 PAGE 8 JOINT COUNCILMNUSD SCHOOL BD. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to conduct, WO'Connor adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m. ATTEST: Mayor LYNDA BURGESS, City Clerk