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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/20/1997 Minutes - RDA Town HallCITY OF DIAMOND BAR AND DIAMOND BAR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY TOWN HALL MEETING I DECEMBER 20, 1997 I 1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Herrera called the meeting to order at 9:12 a.m., in the South Coast air Quality Management District Auditorium, 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. r--, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Agency Member Ansari. COUNCIL ROLL CALL: Council Members Ansari, O'Connor, Mayor Pro Tem Chang and Mayor Herrera. Council Member Huff was absent. AGENCY ROLL CALL: Agency Members Chang, Herrera, O'Connor and Vice Chairperson Ansari. Chairman Huff was absent. Also present were: City Manager Terrence L. Belanger, Deputy City Manager Frank Usher, and Assistant to the City Manager Kellee Fritzal. 2. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION. -- Vice Chairperson Ansari welcomed attendees and cable television viewers. 3. OVERVIEW OF REDEVELOPMENT AND THE ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION PLAN. CM/ED/Belanger reported that the next phase in the redevelopment process is to build upon the Redevelopment Area Plan by creating programs that are suggested in the Plan such as a commercial rehabilitation program, a business attraction program, a parking improvement program and implementation of a public infrastructure program. 4. QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS CONCERNING REDEVELOPMENT AND THE REVITALIZATION AREA PLAN. Alan Wilson, 22809 Hilton Head Dr., expressed concern with prioritizing the implementation phase of the plan. He suggested that the City proceed with the K -Mart Shopping Center area first and followup with the Savon/Von's Shopping Center area. C/VC/Ansari responded that the City will begin prioritizing Plan implementation in January, 1998 based upon public input and professional advice. MlAM/Herrera believed that the next step would be to look at the centers in DECEMBER 20, 1997 PAGE 2 TOWN HALL MEETING the City- and seek professional advice regarding feasibility, cost) and implementation in cooperation with the business owners. Wilbur Smith, 21630 Fairway Ln., said he is overjoyed to learn that no big box malls will be constructed in the City. He asked if sufficient funds can be raised through redevelopment to improve the City's existing businesses and attract niche businesses. CNC/Ansari responded that feasibility studies will determine the extent to which funds will be available for plan implementation. CM/ED/Belanger explained that the process allows 20 years for the commitment 'of resources, 30 years for the -plan to be in effect and 45 years for application of the resources in retiring the debt obligations that may have been incurred by the Agency. This is a process that, by design, takes time. It takes several years before a fairly significant amount of increment is expected to be available to the Agency to retire debt which suggests that most of the initial work of a Redevelopment Project Area implementation ought to be in creating programs, identifying projects and working with property owners and business owners in order to prepare to act ',when increment becomes available. It is anticipated that a redevelopment agency will take 2 to 5 years creating implementation programs and identifying projects while determining actual increment cash flow. The Agency will be successful if the community works toward that end. The process requires patience and prudence, and a positive attitude. Responding to CNC/Ansari, CM/ED/Belanger explained that eminent domain is a method that, in the law, is available to redevelopment agencies as a way of implementing projects and programs in the first 12 years of the agency. However, the Council and Redevelopment Agency decided that, as a matter of policy, the Agency will not use eminent domain as part of the plan implementation. He further explained that redevelopment has, as a part of its process, the setting aside of monies for housing purposes for very low, low and moderate income families. A variety of programs are available and will be created through the next phase of program creation. Because D.B. is 85% developed, housing programs under redevelopment are more likely to take on a program based implementation rather than a project based implementation including first time buyer programs, housing rehabilitation assistance, etc. Mr. Wilson expressed concern about the decrease in value of condominium projects. He asked if HUD programs and other types of programslwill be available for renters to purchase property. CM/ED/Belanger responded that it is likely staff will recommend that the City not integrate redevelopment with other governmental programs such as HUD DECEMBER 20, 1997 PAGE 3 TOWN HALL MEETING Section 8 programs. Renter to buyer programs are the types of programs that will most likely be made available through D.B.'s Redevelopment Plan. Franklin Fong, 23253 Falcon Ridge Rd., said he would like the Redevelopment Agency to consider a landscape improvement program for the water holding tank sites within the City. CM/ED/Belanger responded that staff is pursuing alternatives such • as contracting with muralists to camouflage the tanks. In response to C/AM/O'Connor, CM/ED/Belanger responded that Walnut Valley Water District owns the water storage tanks. The City will enter into an agreement to improve the aesthetics of the tanks. C/AM/O'Connor said she is anxious to move forward with the redevelopment process and looks forward to public involvement and input. M/AM/Herrera reiterated that the Redevelopment Agency and the Economic Revitalization Pian will greatly benefit the City and its businesses. She believed residents would like to shop in areas of the City that are more attractive and responsive to their needs. In addition, the City needs to be able to attract businesses to relocate into a community which offers them the .; opportunity to successfully compete. She encouraged residents to work toward overturning the lawsuit pending against the Redevelopment Agency. She thanked the citizens for their participation and staff for their diligence in organizing the town hall materials and participating in the process. MPT/AM/Chang encouraged business owners to embrace competition and the potential for a successful Redevelopment Agency. Through cooperative effort, D.B. will create and implement a successful program. CNC/Ansari pointed out that D.B. currently receives the lowest amount of return on property tax dollars of 89 cities that pay taxes to the State of California (5.29%). Redevelopment will significantly increase that return. M/AM/Herrera thanked staff and the citizens for their participation in the Town Hall meeting process. 5. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to conduct, Mayor Herrera and Agency Vice Chairperson Ansari adjourned the Redevelopment Agency Town Hall meeting at 10:20 a.m. 4ERRENCE BELANGE Executive Director DECEMBER 20, 1997 ATTEST: 61�414vv— Mayor PAGE 4 TOWN HALL MEETING Agency Vice Chairman 11